
Super Bowl hits and misses
February 12, 2019
With a record low score of 13-3, only a single touchdown, and a lackluster halftime show, Super Bowl 53 was arguably one of the most boring in history. But on the bright side, the commercials were generally entertaining. These were my favorites.
- T-Mobile: When making references to internet culture, brands can often come across as trying too hard. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case for T-Mobile this year. The phone company aired several spots featuring amusing text conversations — from a couple deciding what to order for dinner to someone mistaking a Lyft driver’s text for emotional support. Did the latter seem too familiar? Don’t worry, T-Mobile licensed the joke from a real viral tweet.
- Pepsi: Several brands capitalized on celebrity to generate buzz for their Super Bowl ads. Pepsi recruited Cardi B, Lil Jon, and Steve Carrell for its spot.
- Stella Artois: In another star-powered ad, The Dude and Carrie Bradshaw spurn their signature drinks — a white Russian and cosmopolitan — for a Stella.
- NFL: The best ad of the night may have been from the NFL itself. Featuring 44 of the greatest athletes wreaking havoc at a banquet for the league’s 100th season, the spot earned the highest consumer ratings on USA TODAY’s Ad Meter.
Sometimes the commercials really are better than the main event.