This is my Super Bowl: 2024 Ad Review
Analyzing the 2024 Super Bowl Ads: Hits and Misses
The 2024 Super Bowl brought a cornucopia of commercials, each vying for the audience's attention and approval. This 2024 Superbowl was the most watched televised event since the moon landing- so the pressure was high for advertisers. Let's delve into some notable ads, including Dunkin's "Morning Motivation," Paramount's "Blockbuster Reunion," and Axe's "Find Your Magic," and analyze their successes and shortcomings, while considering industry reactions.
Hits:
Dunkin’s: Keeping with its regular “Boston bit” clad with accents and track suits, Ben Afflek stared along Matt Damon and Tom Brady some of Boston’s most iconic stars. With accents, and ice coffees in hand, they did a wonderful job playing to their audience with some self deprecating humor and brotherly love. As a Bostonian the accent- bit can be very over done, but here they did a wicked good job.
Paramount's "Blockbuster Reunion": Paramount's commercial generated significant buzz prior to the Super Bowl, promising a star-studded reunion of iconic movie characters. The ad delivered on its promise, featuring beloved characters from Paramount's extensive film catalog. Despite its shortened run time during the broadcast, the commercial still managed to capture audiences' attention with its nostalgic appeal and comedic moments. Industry reactions praised Paramount for its creative concept and ability to evoke nostalgia among viewers, though some expressed disappointment at the ad's truncated runtime.
Uber Eats: Uber Eats stole the spotlight with its ad, going beyond just food delivery and tapping into the concept of remembering by forgetting. Featuring "Friends" stars Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer, the commercial blended major star power with a clever message. The ad cleverly emphasized the versatility of Uber Eats, showcasing that they can deliver more than just meals while keeping the product at the forefront of the narrative, as noted by Rucker.
State Farm "like a good neighbaaaa”: In State Farm's standout commercial, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes the spotlight, portraying himself in a fictional State Farm movie. However, his unmistakable accent gives a humorous twist to the insurance company's slogan, transforming it into "like a good neighbaaaa." The ad concludes with a surprise appearance from Schwarzenegger's former movie co-star, Danny DeVito, adding to the comedic charm. USA Today's Ad Meter crowned this spot as the top ad of the year, solidifying its status as a fan favorite.
Reeses: Reese's took center stage during the Super Bowl, showcasing a new addition to its beloved product lineup: peanut butter cups with caramel. Narrated by actor Will Arnett, the commercial skillfully guided viewers through an emotional journey, unveiling the exciting changes to the candy while reassuring fans that the classic Reese's would remain unchanged.
Earning an A rating from the Kellogg review, this ad captivated audiences and effectively introduced the delicious twist to the iconic Reese's brand.
Misses:
While some ads soared to new heights of creativity and impact, others failed to leave a lasting impression during the Super Bowl broadcast. Namely Snapchat, Bass Pro Shops and Crowdstrike failed in creativity. Another I was sorely disappointed in was FanDuel’s commercial with Rob Gronkowski (I’m so sorry)- it was a great opportunity that was well, underwhelming.These ads failed to stand out in a sea of competition, lacking the creativity and innovation needed to make a lasting impact.
Homes.com on the other hand while inventive, was s chaotic it lost its messaging entirely. Heidi Gardner and Dan Levi are arguably two brilliant creatives in the comedy space- and they delivered in portraying their characters well. However, this wasn’t a Netflix series- it was a 30 second series of ads. Whether due to confusing storytelling or muddled branding, these ads struggled to connect with viewers and convey a clear call to action. Industry reactions pointed out the disconnect between the ad's messaging and its intended audience, noting the missed opportunity for effective brand communication.
As advertisers continue to push boundaries and innovate, the stage is set for even more memorable moments in future Super Bowl broadcasts. Industry reactions provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of these ads, guiding advertisers in their quest to create impactful and engaging content.
