Super Bowl Commercial Spots are one of the most coveted spots in advertising. Here are CastleCS’s Best and Worst Commercials in Super Bowl History in terms of marketing.
Best Super Bowl Commercials
#1. The Force: Volkswagen Super Bowl Commercial
The 2011 Volkswagen commercial features a pint-sized Darth Vader finding the Force in a new VW Passat, but what makes the commercial particularly effective is that Volkswagen released it online one month prior to the Super Bowl, harping on the rising excitement for the game and getting the attention of football fans early. For added SEO value, the commercial features a link to the teaser for this year’s 2012 VW commercial.
#2. We Will Rock You: Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial
Though incredibly lengthy for a Super Bowl Ad, the 2005 Pepsi 3:00 minute commercial brought together top pop singers from three different genres (Pink, Britney and Beyonce), Enrique Iglesias as a Roman Emperor and a rendition of Queen’s riveting We Will Rock You, arguably one of the most game-rousing songs of all times. The take-away message in terms of business acumen is that a video should feature a complete story – in this case that of women gladiators – to hold the interest of a viewer and not just sell a product straight up.
#3. It’s Reinvented: Toyota Super Bowl Commercial
Humour is an incredibly effective way to market yourself and make yourself memorable to potential customers. Toyota’s funny-clever 2012 video earn a spot in CastleCS’s best Super Bowl Commercials List because of its snappy content and playful tone. The video marks Toyota’s return to the Super Bowl Spots after a 3-year hiatus so if you’re thinking about reinventing your business, take note from Toyota.
Worst Super Bowl Commercials
#1. Clydesdale Horse: Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial
There’s nothing essentially wrong with a commercial featuring an adorable baby Clydesdale horse wanting to pull a Budweiser wagon all by himself, but the problem with the Budweiser 2008 commercial lies with branding – the message Budweiser is trying to promote doesn’t relate to Budweiser at all. Entertaining/cute videos are desirable, yes, but your videos should always relate to your brand and promote your brand message.
#2. Caveman Package: FedEx Super Bowl Commercial
Ignoring the anachronisms (which were very effective for the Pepsi Super Bowl commercial), this 2005 commercial doesn’t work because it’s neither funny nor particularly enticing nor focused on branding. In fact, it doesn’t make much sense. Additionally, it expects the viewer to pay attention to subtitles. Videos that are very easy to enjoy and that don’t require extra effort on the part of the audience are videos that could potentially win you new customers instead of alienating them.
#3. Imported from Detroit: Chrysler Super Bowl Commercial
The tone of this 2011 commercial is very combative – presumably much like Detroit – and reads more like an advertisement for Detroit Tourism than Chrysler Luxury Cars. Add to it the easy-to-tune out monologue for the first minute and a half and Eminem’s nearly obnoxious performance and you have the makings of a very bad video.
If you want videos that catch the attention of an audience in the first second of play and hold it to the very last second, you need a business partner who knows how to create and market eye-catching videos to get you the most return on your investment. Contact CastleCS for your free consultation and subscribe to the CastleCS Web blog today for free business advice and the best marketing tips to transform your business into a winner!