Super Bowl Special: Snickers, Eminem & Darth Vader - when Brands Compete for the NFL Crown
Are you ready for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday? It’s not just about sports—it’s about culture. Here’s my Top 10 list of the most iconic Super Bowl ads ever. 🚀
The Super Bowl stopped being just a football game a long time ago – it’s the biggest stage in the ad game. Every year, millions of people tune in, not just for the action on the field, but to see which brands come through with the most iconic, culture-shifting moments. Because let’s be real: We all wanna have something to talk about at the coffee machine the next day.
How was the halftime show? Which ad hit the hardest? Which one flopped?
As a Cultural Consultant at Serviceplan, a football head, and an all-around Super Bowl ad nerd, I watch the game a little differently. I’m here for the plays on the field and the marketing Big Plays between quarters.
So, here it is—my Top 10 all-time favorite Super Bowl commercials. Let’s get into it.
Best, Niko
1. Apple – "1984" (1984)
This is when advertising became art. Ridley Scott took George Orwell’s 1984 and flipped it into a legendary ad for the Macintosh. It wasn’t just a product drop; it was a statement. Apple told the world they weren’t here to play by the old rules—they were here to change the game. Pure visionary energy.
2. Chrysler – "Imported From Detroit" (2011)
Eminem. Detroit. Lose Yourself. This one just hits. Chrysler didn’t just sell a car; they sold an entire city’s resilience. Raw, real, emotional. If you ever need proof that hip-hop and advertising can create magic, this is it.
3. Coca-Cola – "Hey Kid, Catch!" (1979)
"Mean Joe" Greene, a Coke, and a simple moment of kindness. This ad is 30 seconds of pure heart. It’s the kind of commercial that makes you feel something—something every brand should be aiming for.
4. Budweiser – "Frogs" (1995)
"Bud." "Weis." "Er." That’s it. That’s the ad. And it’s genius. Proof that sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most iconic.
5. Snickers – "You’re Not You When You’re Hungry" (2010)
Betty White playing football? Instant classic. Snickers nailed the mix of humor and a strong brand message. This wasn’t just a funny ad—it became a cultural reference point. That’s how you do it.
6. Pepsi – "We Will Rock You" (2004)
Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Pink. Singing Queen. In a gladiator arena. Pepsi didn’t just make a commercial; they staged a mini Super Bowl inside the Super Bowl. Absolute spectacle.
7. Old Spice – "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" (2010)
Isaiah Mustafa, on a horse, telling men to smell better. It’s weird, it’s hilarious, and it completely reinvented Old Spice. This ad showed that a brand can totally flip its image with the right level of confidence and self-awareness.
8. Volkswagen – "The Force" (2011)
A tiny Darth Vader really trying to use the Force—until a Volkswagen Passat actually reacts. This was pure nostalgia, pure charm, and a reminder that great ads don’t need a hard sell. They just need a great story.
9. Doritos – "Crash the Super Bowl" (2006–2016)
Doritos let the fans make the ads—and it worked. Crowdsourcing at its absolute best. Some of these ads were better than the ones big agencies put together. And they proved that brands should listen to their audiences more often.
10. Budweiser – "Puppy Love" (2014)
A puppy. A Clydesdale horse. An unbreakable bond. Listen, if you didn’t get at least a little misty-eyed watching this, you might be a robot. Budweiser knew exactly how to pull on heartstrings with this one.
Super Bowl Ads: Love Stories in 30 Seconds
At the end of the day, Super Bowl ads aren’t just marketing. They’re culture. They’re time capsules. They shape conversations way beyond the game itself. From Apple’s 1984 to Chrysler’s Imported From Detroit, the best commercials don’t just sell a product—they tell a story, make you feel something, and get people talking.
That’s the real win.
So, tell me—what are your all-time favorite Super Bowl ads?