The festivities of Sunday’s big game have seemingly passed, complete with a historic comeback and a halftime show that reached lofty heights. Per always, many individuals proclaimed that they “only watched for the commercials,” as the event is an advertisers’ dream and typically showcases some of the funniest or most emotional ads of the year. In case you missed all the action, the entertainment connoisseur that I consider myself to be has documented the best advertisements of the affair, so that you know which products and companies deserve your undivided attention and financial support.
7. Bud Light: ‘Ghost Spuds’
Holistically, this commercial didn’t elicit much of a response from me, but the joke involving the fedora brought forth laughter of exponential proportion. In a year where emotional ads seemingly outnumbered humorous ads, the 1980s callback to Spuds MacKenzie was definitely appreciated, and, ultimately, the ad at least deserves a mention in these reputable rankings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeXldMEpV8
6. Avocados from Mexico: ‘#AvoSecrets’
The not so secret-society commercial featured references to DeflateGate, Bigfoot and 50 Shades of Gray in just a 90-second span. Watching the frustration set in for the Illuminati-inspired group is humorous, and the revelation that one member is live streaming the ordeal harkens to Antonio Brown’s infamous locker room misfortune. This ad was one of the funniest competitors in the field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VneoEvAJX0g
5. 84 Lumber: ‘The Journey Begins’
In a year of politically motivated ads, the Lumber 84 ad managed to be one of the most powerful in the field. Fox cut the original commercial to avoid controversy, so in the spirit of GoDaddy, Lumber 84 made the decision to post the extended ad online. The emotional depiction of a mother-daughter journey across a long distance and their final encounter with what is implied to be President Donald Trump’s touted wall was a powerful reminder of the personal drive that many have to become legal American citizens. I’m not crying — it’s just dusty in here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPo2B-vjZ28
4. Bai: ‘#BaiBaiBai’
Christopher Walken is one of my favorite actors, so his appearance on my screen was much welcome during the Super Bowl. The dramatic reading of the classic *NSYNC song touches the soul, and the silent glare shared between Justin Timberlake and Walken, followed by the instantly recognizable chorus of “Bye Bye Bye” is able to make even something as bland as coconut water seem appealing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvU2CdzPQf8
3. Buick: ‘Cam Newton and Miranda Kerr’
Showcasing Cam Newton’s first ever Super Bowl touchdown pass, this Buick ad made the Panthers fan in me radiate with pride. Obviously, if Cam Newton was playing pee-wee football, he would outperform the children with much ease, and this commercial visually captures this domination. Coupled with Cam’s pearly white smile, this ad was the funniest of the entire night. Bravo to you, Buick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx2PMnSzCB4
2. Audi: ‘Daughter’
Beautiful cinematography and an orchestral score play second fiddle to a message that supersedes sports entirely. As a father watches his daughter win a soapbox car race, the overarching narration fully endorses equal pay for women which, in 2017, still isn’t a reality for many hardworking Americans. This ad traded in the laughs for a much-needed message, and the end result reminded me that there is still so much work to be done in American society.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6u10YPk_34
1. Budweiser: ‘Born the Hard Way’
I should preface this with the notion that I love narrative, emotional commercials. During a year where these types of ads were as impactful as ever, the King of Beers managed to claim the throne as the King of Commercials. Detailing the journey of Adolphus Busch from Germany to America, the ad recounts the animosity, struggles and danger that many immigrants face when seeking to fulfill the fabled American Dream. This ad is not very subtle in its critique of Trump’s immigration policy, but it effectively is able to couple its message with a compelling narrative that culminates with a handshake between the two men that would change domestic brewing forever. Anheuser-Busch gave us the pinnacle of advertising with this masterfully brewed display.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtBZvl7dIu4
Audi's 2017 Super Bowl Commercial,"Daughter," shows a father who watches his daughter win a soapbox car race.
