The ADbowl

My thesis advisor, Professor John Eighmey, delighted us this morning on WCCO with his thoughts about Superbowl advertising. He told the hosts, Elanor and Suzie (love the Minnesotan accent "He knows a thing or two about advertising..."), that his favorite commercial last year was Doritos' spot where a large mouse ironically tackles a man eating a bag of Doritos who had initially set a trap for the mouse.



Last year, my ultimate favorite had to be Tide's talking stain on an interview spot. So simple, so funny.



But, more importantly, I want to posit a question to all of those in Yaybia!land: What is your favorite Superbowl ad of all time?

Now, I know asking this question to advertising enthusiasts is like asking what your favorite movie or song is, but I'm just curious to see what we come up with. We'll no doubt be ripping apart the ads that debut on Sunday, but I am more interested in the ones that have stuck with you since they first premiered.

On the radio show, John Eighmey talks about Apple's 1984 ad, which is without a doubt some fantastic work, however, since I was -3 years old at the time, I didn't get to experience this at the culturally relevant time (otherwise it would probably be my favorite.) He also brought up how Mean Joe Green (which was actually done by Coke, not Pepsi) also brought the audience a piece of "cultural truth" that they could identify with.





But one of my favorites of all time happened in the 2002 Superbowl (XXXVI), and it was one by Budweiser. Now, Bud Light has had a lot of success with funny commercials during the Superbowl (though I will say I was a bit disappointed last year,) but the Satin Sheets spot is still one of my favorites.



It's a bit slapstick, but I clearly remember sitting on my couch with my dad in his recliner as he was wheezing/laughing so hard that he started tearing up to this ad. (My dad doesn't normally laugh that easily.) Perhaps it was just the fondness of that memory that makes the ad stick out in my mind, but doesn't that show one of the greatest parts of advertising? (How it becomes part of the great family gathering/fond memories.)

So... lay it on me. Let's share together in the Christmas of Advertising-land that is the Superbowl. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SUPERBOWL SPOT?