The stars of “Wayne’s World” reunited, Amazon’s Alexa was replaced by a flirtatious Michael B. Jordan and Bruce Springsteen made his commercial debut with Jeep.
Celebrity cameos from this year’s Super Bowl commercials overflowed and were heavy with nostalgia as companies tried to convey optimistic and hopeful messages amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But brands also took the opportunity to say something significant about our unprecedented times, according to a team of top advertising executives gathered by The Post.
“Advertisers rely heavily on how 2020 was the worst year recently remembered,” said Jennifer DaSilva, president of Berlin Cameron.
“Most spots are optimistic and hopeful as we begin a new year.”
Here’s what our Super Bowl 55 ad expert group did:
Amazon – “Alexa’s Body”
According to Nicole Michels McDonagh, of Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, according to Nicole Michels McDonagh, again, please, it was likely what all the women in the United States were saying after seeing this ad.
Amazon turned its virtual assistant Alexa into a sex symbol with the help of Michael B. Jordan in this fun and memorable ad.
However, some of our experts felt that the feel of the place was heavy, especially for a family product.
“Yes, sometimes sexual innuendos are excessive, but there are high scores for pure entertainment,” said Chris Graves, creative director of the first team.
“Very well crafted as a film,” Graves added. “And to appreciate the attempt to give a somewhat intrusive technology a human face, an extremely handsome human face.”
Average grade: A
Bud Light – “Lemons from last year”
Bud Light’s spot was a nod to the one-year-old “lemon” we just had, even though “this ad is anything PERUT a lemon,” DaSilva said.
Most of our experts enjoyed the clip’s peculiar metaphor for 2020 and adopted the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.
In the ad, giant lemons rained down on weddings and other parties, and although we’ve seen unexpected objects fall from the sky before, this one was “very well produced and fun to watch,” Graves said.
“Thank you, Bud Light,” said Jennie Moore, creative director of WONGDOODY in Seattle.
“We could laugh or cry about last year, and that helped me engage in a much-needed laugh.”
Overall rating: A-
Uber Eats – “Wayne’s World”
Comics Dana Carvey and Mike Myers from “Wayne’s World” brought viewers back to the 1990s for this fun ad.
“Many brands have turned Super Bowl Sunday into ‘Throwback Thursday,'” said Andy Nathan, founder and CEO of Fifteen Collective.
“Wayne’s World’s local cable TV program that works to help local restaurants makes a lot of sense for Uber Eats and what they promise.”
Add the Cardi B cameo and the ad will become even more “fun, engaging and entertaining,” said Moa Netto, creative director of RAPP US.
SPIN CEO Jimmy Hutcheson added, “The only thing that always marks is nostalgia.”
“In recent years, Super Bowl commercials have taken advantage of this by reviving beloved movie characters,” Hutcheson said.
“So it makes perfect sense that taking Mike Myers and Dana Carvey to the Wayne’s World meeting would make sense and work.”
“Do you want to add the current pop icon Cardi B to that equation? Brilliant,” Hutcheson said, “a big win for Uber Eats for attracting people from several generations.”
Average rating: A-
Cheetos – “It wasn’t me”
Cheetos hired celebrity couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis for this ad, titled “It wasn’t me” by Shaggy.
“I liked how they were able to harness the cultural power of an iconic song by keeping the product at the center of the narrative,” Netto said.
Eric Stein, creative director of the Hooray agency, agreed on the choice of melody.
“Shaggy steals the show. Mila and Ashton work “well” as a support, ”said Stein, who gave the ad a C.
Tim Smith, president of Atlanta Chemistry, said, “I wanted him to like me but he seemed disabled.”
“Shaggy and the music were great, but the acting and singing of two stars that I really like was awkward.”
Average mark: B-
Scotts Miracle-Gro – “Big Game Commercial”
According to our experts, the large number of celebrities who appeared in this ad felt forced.
It was also another nostalgic hit with the special appearance of John Travolta.
But an event that was not enough to save this place.
“The Super Bowl announcements are full of celebrities this year and it looks like there’s a big chunk on this site,” Graves said.
“It’s strangely convincing as you try to figure out how one relates to the next. Then Travolta appears and all bets are off. All to promote a contest to win a lawn and a garden of your dreams? It’s a lot to process. “
Average grade: C
Robinhood – “We are all investors”
Robinhood was recently in the headlines in relation to the GameStop saga, but the first announcement of the Super Bowl investment app fell flat, according to our experts.
“I think Robinhood was smart at using current public relations to bolster the brand’s notoriety on the bigger stage,” Smith said, adding, “That said I think they lost the brand in one place. of the Super Bowl “
“The place is very well shot, but it’s too quiet for the stage.”
Husani Oakley, head of technology at Deutsch NY, noted that “there was probably not enough time to make changes,” after the stock market madness.
Still, “I don’t think the spot would have worked well even in a world before #GameStopGate.”
“The basic idea, that everyone invests in something, why not invest through Robinhood, is timely, but the execution gets pretty flat and doesn’t meet its potential.”
Average grade: C