Super Bowl Sunday: A Spectacular Show of Ads, Celebrities, and Creativity

Super Bowl Sunday has finally arrived, and with it comes one of the most anticipated events in advertising: the unveiling of brand-new, star-studded, and often groundbreaking commercials. This year, Fox, the network broadcasting the big game, sold out all its ad slots in November, with over 10 commercials fetching a whopping $8 million each, as reported by CNBC. The lineup of ads is as diverse as ever, spanning topics from smart glasses to pizza rolls, with a significant focus on artificial intelligence (AI). As Mark Evans, executive vice president of sales for Fox Sports, remarked, "AI is coming. If it’s not already here in almost every business, it will be coming like a freight train." This sentiment is reflected in many of the ads set to air during the game.

AI and Innovation Take Center Stage

AI-powered ads dominated much of the buzz leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Google’s ad for its Gemini AI model, for instance, initially faced scrutiny for an inaccurate claim about Gouda cheese consumption. The ad, which featured the Wisconsin Cheese Mart, included a misleading statistic that Gouda accounts for "50 to 60 percent of the world’s cheese consumption." After feedback, Google revised the ad, removing the inaccurate data and reshaping the narrative to reflect how small businesses might effectively use AI tools. Similarly, Salesforce’s ad for its AI-driven customer relationship management platform, Agentforce, starred Matthew McConaughey in a humorous yet relatable scenario where his booking app’s lack of AI caused a rainy dining mishap. These ads highlight how companies are leveraging AI to showcase their innovative solutions, blending creativity with practicality.

Humor and Unexpected Twists: Ads That Entertain

Humor and absurdity are always a staple of Super Bowl ads, and this year is no exception. Ray-Ban Meta’s commercial, featuring Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth, and Kris Jenner, introduced its AI-powered smart glasses with a nod to the infamous banana duct-taped to a wall that sold for millions at an art auction. The ad’s lighthearted take on AI’s role in everyday life resonated with viewers. Meanwhile, Booking.com’s ad brought back the Muppets, with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy searching for the perfect vacation stay, showcasing the platform’s AI-enhanced features in a fun and nostalgic way. Even pizza rolls got their moment in the spotlight, as Totino’s ad introduced an alien named Chazmo who met an untimely demise while enjoying the snack. These lighthearted spots remind us that, at its core, the Super Bowl is as much about entertainment as it is about football.

Celebrities and Heartfelt Messages: Ads That Resonate

Celebrities were out in full force this year, with many using their star power to promote brands and causes alike. Michelob Ultra’s ad, featuring Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara, showed the two dominating a game of pickleball alongside sports stars like Sabrina Ionescu, Randy Moss, and Ryan Crouser. Budweiser, a Super Bowl staple, tugged at heartstrings with a story of a determined Clydesdale foal overcoming odds to deliver a keg, accompanied by an uplifting message about perseverance. On a more serious note, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism released an ad starring Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady, who exchanged playful jabs about their differences to highlight the importance of unity and understanding. Dove’s campaign, centered around #KeepHerConfident, addressed body image issues among young girls, urging a change in how we talk to and support them.

Controversy and Conversation: Ads That Sparked Debate

Not all ads were without controversy. Hims & Hers, a telehealth company, faced criticism for its ad addressing the American obesity epidemic. The company accused the healthcare system of being "built to keep us sick and stuck," while promoting its weight-loss solutions. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) sent a letter to the FDA, expressing concerns that the ad omitted safety information about the weight-loss medication it promoted. A spokesperson for Hims & Hers defended the ad, stating that it complies with existing laws and aims to provide affordable healthcare choices. Meanwhile, Hellmann’s brought back Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal from When Harry Met Sally for a charming ad set in Katz’s Delicatessen, complete with a cameo by Sydney Sweeney. While delightful for fans, the spot also sparked conversations about the role of nostalgia in advertising.

Movie Trailers and Sports Betting: Ads That Tease What’s Next

Beyond the traditional commercials, movie studios and sports betting platforms also made their mark. Several highly anticipated films, including Jurassic World: Rebirth, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, and live-action remakes of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, released teaser spots during the game. Tom Cruise even made a special appearance in the Super Bowl intro. On the sports side, Fanduel’s ad featured former NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning in a field goal showdown, encouraging fans to place their bets. Dunkin’ also went star-studded, with Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Jeremy Strong, and Bill Belichick in a fun, chaotic ad that celebrated the brand’s cult following.

In conclusion, this year’s Super Bowl ads delivered a mix of innovation, humor, celebrities, and heartfelt messages, with AI emerging as a dominant theme. While some spots sparked controversy, others left viewers smiling, pondering, or eagerly anticipating what’s next. Whether you’re a football fan, an ad enthusiast, or just someone who loves pizza rolls, there was something for everyone during Super Bowl Sunday.