Our Favorite Automotive Commercials from Super Bowl 51
The Super Bowl is more than just the biggest NFL game: it is THE event in the US that combines all branches of sports, entertainment, pop culture and advertising into something unique. This idea has been around a while but even non-sports fans find themselves tuning in if only for increasingly spectacular Half-Time concerts (seriously, Lady Gaga SLAYED everyone at our office) but also the big budget commercials. Every Super Bowl gives us a buffet of creative “advertainement” that will be studied by marketing professionals for years to come.
THIS holds especially true if you love cars. Sunday’s Big Game commercials are all about the big-budget the world’s automakers and industry adjacent companies use to show the country, the WORLD, their latest and greatest lineups. Today at Endurance, while the Falcons fans under our roof nurse their wounds and the Pats fans celebrate loudly and our Gaga fans re-share that amazing performance; we’ve gathered all of this year’s car ads for your convenience.
Whether you’re watching these for the first time or missed them during broadcast or just need a point of reference, here you go!
AUDI: “DAUGHTER” (AUDI S5 SPORTBACK)
ALFA ROMEO: “MOZZAFIATO” (ALFA ROMEO GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO)
HONDA: “YEARBOOKS” (HONDA CR-V)
This spot is a master class of creative energy and execution. Big names including Tina Fey, Robert Redford and Missy Elliott encourage people to take after their fantasies through talking heads of their genuine school yearbook pictures. “Maybe don’t dress like this, but play the clarinet,” says Jimmy Kimmel, in blue ruffles. “You may fall flat on your face, but technically that’s still moving forward,” says Amy Adams as she gives us an adorable hear-flip. The only thing we thought was off is how loosely tied the ad is the CR-V…which the commercial compares to a dream for us and Honda to follow.
FORD: “GO FURTHER”
MICHELIN
HYUNDAI: “A BETTER SUPER BOWL”
This promotion played after the game but that wasn’t a terrible spot to be in. Even if you were a viewer moaning or celebrating this was a good way to cool down. The spot went out on a limb by shooting live DURING the game and edited on the fly. The outcome was a real heart-tugger: U.S. servicemen and ladies at a base in Poland got the opportunity to see the Super Bowl, and their families, in virtual reality settings. Well done Hyundai.
BUICK: “NOT SO PEE WEE FOOTBALL” (BUICK CASCADA, BUICK ENCORE)
LEXUS: “MAN AND MACHINE” (LEXUS LC)
WEATHERTECH
The little company from Bolingbrook, Ill., showed off their most daring Super Bowl advertisement yet. More than simply touting that their trademark auto mats are made in America, it delivers us a thrilling a scene in which a lady in a spy-movie style jumpsuit jumps a car to deliver a new mat onto an car’s floor in the nick of time to shield it from a spilled drink. Cool.
KIA: “HERO’S JOURNEY” (KIA NIRO)
MERCEDES-BENZ: “EASY DRIVER” (MERCEDES-AMG GT ROADSTER)
So there you have it! Some of the best automotive advertising we’ve seen this year so far (the year is still young but the bar is pretty high now). What was your favorite? Comment below and let us know! OR you can sound off about how amazing Lady Gaga’s show was, no seriously feel free!
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Alex has worked in the automotive service industry for over 20 years. After graduating from one of the country’s top technical schools, he worked as a technician achieving a Master Technician certification. He also has experience as a service advisor and service manager. Read more about Alex.