This year's Super Bowl lived up to its hype, and it was one of the first times in recent memory that I found the game to be more exciting than the commercials. This year's array of $4.5m spots struck a more somber and heart-warming note than years past. Considering what's happening on the world stage and within the NFL itself, it wasn't such a bad idea for brands to get behind life-affirming messaging. Even Mexican Avocados looked cute! And beyond the touchdowns, interceptions and curious calls were lessons that might resonate with you as you kick off your work week, and as we count down to Super Bowl 50:
Pull the heart strings, repeatedly: The Budweiser Clydesdale/lost puppy commercial was among the most memorable ads of the night. The Budweiser commercial was rather familiar to most fans since it was viewed millions of times before it officially aired. It was a sequel to last year’s crazily popular “Puppy Love” tear-fest. “If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Brian Perkins, vice president, Budweiser, told USA Today.
There’s a fine line between getting consumers’ attention and turning them off: Nationwide’s “Make Safe Happen” commercial was an unwelcome surprise and quite the downer for many as we watched a "dead" boy narrate all the things he missed out on. " Tweeters took sides, mostly against the ad. Noted one tweeter: "Nice one Nationwide. That was pretty fun to watch a commercial about dead kids with my kids. #makesafehappen more like#scaremykids." But people are talking about it — and the connection between your child's safety and insurance — so I’m betting Nationwide considers it a success. In a statement defending the ad, Nationwide said: "While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere."
Play through the crisis: The case of the deflated footballs (Deflategate) still in play, the Patriots astutely fielded, or rather deflected, media questions before and after the game and proved their ability to not let a crisis disappoint fans, otherwise known as a 28-24 win.
Own up to poor decisions: Sports analysts and Monday morning quarterbacks are calling it one of the “dumbest calls ever,” and it just might be up there. But it was encouraging to hear Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and QB Russell Wilson take responsibility (and not shift the blame) for the game-ending intercepted 1-yard-line slant pass. Not a rookie mistake; rather a rookie miracle that’s catnip to the media. Which leads to my last observation:
Don’t underestimate the rookies: there’s speculation that Wilson threw the pass in the direction of a less experienced player, clearly underestimating Malcolm Butler’s determination and skill. “I just read the play and made the play,” Butler said post-game. A lesson for us all.
-- Diane Schwartz