The Top Five Ads That Did Not Appear During Super Bowl 50

At $5 million a pop, there is little wonder why audiences expect premium ad creative during the Super Bowl. But what if we approached all advertising with the same sort of attention we give to Super Bowl advertisers? I watched some of Super Bowl Sunday’s most anticipated programming that did not air on CBS to take stock of the creative currently out in market. In my opinion, here are the winners:

1. Almond Joy and Mounds This :15 spot from the Hershey Company ran during the first quarter of Hallmark Channel’s Kitten Bowl (pictured at top). The subtle surprise twist plays off nicely since I was convinced the ad was for coconut water. The rich visuals had me instantly hankering for a Mounds bar. (I can’t say I felt that way after seeing Willem Dafoe channel Marilyn Monroe in Snickers’ Super Bowl ad.) 

2. Ragu Pasta Sauce  During the latter half of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” bingeathon, which ran all day Super Bowl Sunday, I caught a spot I had never seen before from Ragu’s “Simmered in Tradition” campaign. With little brand storytelling during Super Bowl 50, as Kristi Faulkner argued, Ragu’s ad evokes a rich history and timelessness. I also learned a new fun fact -- Ragu started in Rochester, New York.

3. Liberty Mutual  Liberty Mutual’s Better Car Replacement spot ran during the Kitten Bowl and only makes this list because of its effectiveness in brand recall. For me, it’s the ultimate advertising earworm and for better or worse, I will forever associate the name “Brad” with Liberty Mutual.

4. Subaru  Subaru spots appeared during both Hallmark Channel’s Kitten Bowl and Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. It is true that almost any ad which features an animal acting like a human would make my top ten list. Subaru’s Dog Tested commercials are funny, simple and memorable. Also, at the risk of sounding like I’m ancient, I appreciate when car commercials are not obnoxiously loud. (I’m looking at you, Volvo.)

5. Reese’s  Another Hershey ad makes the list with this Valentine’s Day spot, which appeared during Nat Geo WILD’s Fish Bowl XXL. The ad takes on a lighthearted approach to Valentine’s with three little words -- “I got Reese’s” -- and enjoyable musical accompaniment. It’s sweet and simple, much like the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

Honorable mention goes to BBC America’s promo for Adele: Live in London concert, which ran during BBC America’s Super Bowl Sunday marathon of “Star Trek.” Seeing as it was a show promo, I decided it was ineligible for top five status. Though it was certainty both engaging and informative as I did not realize that BBC America was airing the concert this Saturday, February 14.

While there is obviously not the same sort of excitement and anticipation around the ads that appear outside of the Super Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday, some ads are arguably just as if not more effective. There are benefits for advertisers who run against content featuring the playful antics of kittens, puppies and fish instead of broncos and panthers (and if Sunday’s programming was any indication, the four-legged and finned games may actually be more exciting). While advertisers would probably recoil at being constantly held to Super Bowl standards, giving full attention to all ad creative regardless of when it runs is a worthwhile exercise. You may learn something new or at the very least legitimize the working lives of many an adman.

(Editor's Note: Click on the image below to watch Charlie Rose’s interview with Stuart Elliott. Then read Stuart's take on the Super Bowl 50 ads.)

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