Best Super Bowl Ads Ranked From #SB51 – #SB57

Table Of Contents For Best Super Bowl Ads

• Super Bowl 51: Budweiser “Born the Hard Way”
• Super Bowl 52: Tide “It’s a Tide Ad”
• Super Bowl 53: Microsoft “We All Win”
• Super Bowl 54: Google “Loretta”
• Super Bowl 55: Cadillac “ScissorHandsFree”
• Super Bowl 56: Coinbase “QR Code”
• Super Bowl 57: Amazon “Saving Sawyer”

It’s the morning after the Big Game and you’ve got a headache that would make John Cena want to crawl back into bed and binge-watch ‘Friends’ all day. You think back to the day before and remember the cheering, the celebrations, and your home team (hopefully) securing that championship.

 

As usual, advertising around the biggest spectacle of the year was in top form — and just in case your memory is a little blurry from last night (no judgment here) we’ve got you covered. Without further ado, here are the best Super Bowl ads launched in an effort to market to the masses — from Super Bowl 51 to 57.

 

Super Bowl 51: Budweiser “Born the Hard Way”:

 

Picture this: it’s February 2017, we’re *just* coming off an election year, and divisiveness and contention are at an all-time high. While many advertisers chose to avoid controversy, Budweiser decided to embrace it with an immigration-forward ad.

 

This cinematic commercial tells the story of Adolphus Busch, the co-founder of Anheuser-Busch, as he immigrates to America from Germany in the 1800s. The ad showcases his determination and perseverance in pursuing the American dream, eventually leading to the creation of Budweiser beer. While the messages were subtle, we applaud the brand for taking the risk — and it definitely paid off.

 

 

Super Bowl 52: Tide “It’s a Tide Ad”

 

Ah yes, another sports car ad…. wait, no, a boisterous beer ad! Nope, that’s not it either — it’s… a Tide ad? And if you, too, were left feeling all the emotions in Tide’s ‘It’s a Tide Ad’, you’re not alone.

 

This innovative spot features a series of commercials starring David Harbour from “Stranger Things” to cleverly trick viewers into thinking they were watching ads for different products, only to reveal that they were actually Tide ads. The campaign’s humorous and creative approach to breaking the fourth wall made it stand out among other Super Bowl commercials. And don’t forget about their creative willingness to tap into all the hilarious advertising tropes — a territory many brands wouldn’t dare to touch.

 

 

Super Bowl 53: Microsoft “We All Win”

 

While many brands attempt (and oftentimes fail) to invoke pathos within their ad campaigns, Microsoft successfully navigated the slippery slope of empathetic advertising. The heartwarming commercial highlights the story of young gamers with disabilities who use Microsoft’s adaptive Xbox controller, showcasing how the technology has made gaming more inclusive and enjoyable.

 

This strategy not only demonstrated Microsoft’s innovative products but also conveyed the company’s values and dedication to creating an inclusive society — something we can all get behind.

 

 

Super Bowl 54: Google “Loretta”

 

This emotional ad tells the story of an elderly man using Google Assistant to remember details about his late wife, Loretta. The commercial highlights the helpful features of the technology while tugging at viewers’ heartstrings.

 

While no one can doubt that this ad is, indeed, a tearjerker, the strongest strategy Google harnessed is the power of storytelling. When used effectively and authentically, this tool can be one of the most powerful advertising tactics — with over 92% of consumers wanting brands to make ads that feel like a story.

 

Overall, Google’s Loretta ad embodied the power of emotional resonance, while leveraging a high-profile platform to communicate the capabilities of Google Assistant in a touching and memorable way. Hey Google, remind me to prepare for the waterworks next time I watch.

 

 

Super Bowl 55: Cadillac “ScissorHandsFree”

 

Starring Timothée Chalamet as Edward Scissorhands’ son, Edgar, and Winona Ryder reprising her role as Kim, this ad tells the story of Edgar finding freedom with Cadillac’s hands-free driving technology.

 

Though highlighting the new hands-free feature was the goal, nostalgia was the strategy in this exemplary ad. By spinning off one of the most recognizable cinematic pieces of all time, while pulling in some new blood to entice younger generations, Cadillac successfully balanced the nostalgic tightrope in an ad that’s familiar yet surprising. Well done, Cadillac. You get two big scissor-thumbs up.

 

 

Super Bowl 56: Coinbase “QR Code”

 

Coinbase’s 2022 Super Bowl commercial captivated viewers with its absurdly straightforward bouncing QR code. Reminiscent of the iconic DVD screensaver, the idea capitalized on the strange allure of this 90s classic.

 

The commercial left a lasting impression, sparking conversations about the future of finance and the role of cryptocurrencies in mainstream society. And data doesn’t lie, post-premiere app downloads were up by a whopping 279%. The ad was disruptive, progressive, and cut through the clutter of cliché marketing. Besides, we have to give Coinbase a shout-out for the low-production value payoff — that ROI’s gotta be ridiculous.

 

 

Super Bowl 57: Amazon “Saving Sawyer”

 

This ad spotlights a typical American family, struggling to adapt to a world post-pandemic. For many of us, returning to the office, getting the kids back in school, and navigating the ‘new normal’ was a challenge — though inevitable. This spot illustrates that the convenience and ease of Amazon Prime follows you through the different stages of a significant global event — plus the star quality of a cute dog.

 

Are pets a recipe for success in terms of super bowl ads? Absolutely. However, arguably even more compelling is the art of conveying a sense of relatability and tapping into collective experiences. Advertisers who connect to their consumers in a genuine way are more likely to be seen in a favorable light, and that’s exactly what Amazon did in this adorable spot. Don’t mind us, just have to place our two-day Puffs delivery order.

 

 

One glance at your social feed the day after the Super Bowl and everyone has become the world’s most knowledgeable advertisement critic overnight. And with our expert analysis, be prepared to impress your friends next year with your takeaways. (Hint: use buzzwords like ‘audience retention’ and ‘brand awareness’ for the full effect).

 

While you or your brand may not be Super Bowl commercial-ready (yet), investing in and owning your social presence is the first essential step in getting there.

 

Reach out to the strategic creative team at Blue Bear Creative to help take your campaigns to new heights — field goal-sized heights, that is. Let’s chat!