My Six Favorite Super Bowl Commercials

ads, business, humor, lessons learned, music, rankings, Teaching and Education 1 Minute

It’s been a while since I’ve written about one of my favorite topics – commercials.

Fortunately, the Super Bowl took place a week ago, and as always, it’s a showcase for companies’ best ads.

According to USA Today, there were 56 commercials this year.

I’ve picked my top six. This review is mainly based on whether I liked the ad, but I will admit to being influenced by the Top 10 list at USA Today, the ADPLAN ratings of the Kellogg School of Business MBAs, and Advertising Age’s published ratings of the ads.

However, I always start my look at Super Bowl ads by reading the in-depth review written at Forbes by my friend and fellow Villanova colleague, Ray Taylor. Ray offers his top five, and a set of honorable mentions. I am happy to say that I have two of the same ads that are in his top five, and one of his honorable mentions.

Without further ado, here are my six favorite adverts, in no particular order.

Toyota’s wonderful ad, looking at the power of brotherly love and determination:

My guess I would have picked any ad that had Anna Kendrick ad in it, but this is actually a great ad:

Another ad from Toyota, this one featuring the Joneses, plus a Jonas. The best line is the last one, uttered by Tommy Lee Jones. And it’s got Tom Jones singing in the background; what more could you ask for.

A touching ad from Kia, featuring a classic song, Total Eclipse of the Heart. A wonderful ending.

I think this next one from Amazon Alexa is the one made me laugh the most. Features Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost.

How could I not include an ad that features one of my favorite comedians – Larry David. He’s just like he is on his show, Curb Your Enthusiasm – what more could you ask for?!

*image from InBusiness Madison

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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53 thoughts on “My Six Favorite Super Bowl Commercials”

  2. I think the last one with Larry David was my favorite. He’s brilliant in just about anything. I also like both Toyota ads and the Amazon one. I think commercials continue to get better in most cases.

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  5. I can’t believe I just watched six ads! That’s more than I’ve watched all week. I recognised Castle Grey Skull in the Barbie ad. My son had one of those a million aeons ago. Love that Kia. It’s pretty cool. Alexa’s too scary.

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      1. Impressive. Are you getting a commission?

        Seems most of the things businesses advertise are things I’m not interested in. But I will admit that when I’ve had an interest in buying something, and an ad comes on for it, my ears perk up and I do pay close attention.

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  9. An interesting set, but I hope the game was better! That first Toyota ad says nothing about cars, it’s just a meaningless slogan – did they use the same agency as the Leave campaign in our referendum? To be honest, these mostly left me cold, but I’m probably not their target market. I enjoyed watching Scarlett though, whatever the ad was about 😉

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      1. I thought it was more cynical than a genuine attempt at sincerity, to be honest. And it had nothing to do with their product!

        My problem with watching Scarlett is that I tend to get distracted from what is being said 😉

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