2024’s Top Super Bowl Ads: Nostalgia Reigns, But Do Brands Finally See Us 40-Somethings?
M&M’s leans into beloved SNL icon Maya Rudolph for some wacky candy mascot drama. We’re here for the satire, but could this jesting alienate those timeless candy brand devotees?
Pepsi Zero mines our 80s Dodgeball nostalgia with Ben Stiller and Steve Martin. We enjoy the throwback laughs, but shouldn’t brands evolve beyond our aging pop culture glory days already?
Bud Light gives us another worn out wedding gag with Miles Teller. We get it…we’re the settle down demographic. But we still have some edge leftover from our youth!
Workday’s odd couple Billy Idol and Ozzy screams try-hard to middle-aged skeptics like us. Enterprise tech will never seem hip, no matter how hard you Gen Z gussy it!
Michelob Ultra trots out active athletes again. Yet our dad bods now thirst for more fantasy and escapism when kicking back, not just sweaty fitness inspo!
Doritos attempts music mashups with today’s artists to push…new BBQ chips? Our Spotify playlists may need some updating too then!
Heineken shrinks forever-young Paul Rudd into silly beer can hijinks. We adore our Gen X icon, but shouldn’t 45+ viewers see some graduate level storylines occasionally?
Booking.com serves us another trite hotels dot com song and dance routine. We dig Melissa McCarthy’s fearless comedy, but give us some substance! Maybe deals for our middle income travel budgets??
Hey brands – while we remain hip to digital buzz, isn’t it high time you look beyond millennials and zoomers to see the spending power and savviness of Generation X? We’re the tastemakers who paved the way! Just a thought from some still kickin’ elder influencers here!
BONUS REVIEW: When Sobriety Meets Super Bowl Ads: A Skeptic’s Take
Confessions of a Non-Sports Elder Millennial Assignmented to Review Budweiser’s 2013 “Brotherhood” Commercial
As someone who has only watched part of one Super Bowl in my 41 years, professional American football is hardly my specialist subject. But as a reforming participant in late stage capitalism and 5-years sober ex-beer drinker, critiquing an emotional Budweiser ad for a class assignment did force some unexpected personal introspection.
Could a cinematic story about the bond between Budweiser’s classic Clydesdale horses and their returning trainer transcend my usual corporate advertising cynicism and disdain for mega beer brands? I pressed play on YouTube, tissues at the ready just in case those manly Super Bowl tears needed dabbing.
As a non-drinker for going on 5 years now and complete sober person for over a year now, I’m no longer Bud’s target demographic. And this ad supporting a mega alcohol brand gives me pause in my efforts to disengage from late-stage capitalism.
However, I found this cinematic story of a trainer surprising Budweiser’s Clydesdale horses with their old friend rather emotionally affecting. The soaring orchestral score and slow motion capture of the horses recognizing and galloping towards their long-lost buddy got me, I’ll admit it!
Maybe it was the sweeping views of horses running free. Or the basic story bringing up memories of my own treasured friendships. Regardless, sneaky ad-makers…you caught this anti-Super Bowl elder millennial off guard by striking a heart string with timeless themes of undying friendship. R.I.P AYLA BUGGY…
I still believe we must thoughtfully examine the messages and worldviews corporate advertising can instill. But artful visions reminding us of love’s enduring power can momentarily transcend the sales pitch, for skeptics and sports-haters alike. Well played, Budweiser. Now back to my usual media diet of YouTube graphic design tutorials and listening the this song Red Lorry Yellow Lorry ‘Heaven’ 1989 on repeat for 3, or is it day 4? I need some sleep././.