During the final game of the NFL season, there may be rivalries about which team to cheer for or which game-day snack is best, but there is one thing that can unite all Advertising and Public Relations students: the Super Bowl commercials. In its 57th year, the Super Bowl is known for being host to iconic ads that make viewers laugh, cry, and sometimes cringe. Featuring some of the most popular brands these commercials present a chance for our AdPR students to impress their friends with various pieces of knowledge like the price tag ($7 million for a 30-second spot) or the strategic thought that goes into making these ads.
The AdPR Department surveyed members of Talking Dog Agency, UGA’s premier student-led Advertising and Public Relations Agency, to get their take on this year’s selection of ads. With their experience working for real clients and education on the Gen Z perspective, Talking Dog members know what it takes to produce a stellar ad. The agency selected some standouts in the following categories:
- Most Heart-Warming
- Most Creative
- Most Surprising
- Best Use of Celebrities
- Best All-Around
The winner for Most Heart Warming went to The Farmer’s Dog, for their commercial entitled, “Forever”. This ad is a 60-second journey that features a chocolate lab and its owner, who share enough memories and love to fill a lifetime and is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
The winner for Most Creative and Most Surprising goes to Tubi’s “Interface Interruption” ad, which simulates a streaming service selection happening on the TV, tricking viewers across America into thinking that someone was changing the channel. Since it aired, this ad has created quite a stir, not only in real-time but also on social media channels everywhere.
The winner for Best Use of Celebrities went to General Motors & Netflix’s partnership ad, “EVs On Screen with Will Ferrell”. This spot features Will Ferrell driving GM’s Electric Vehicles in the worlds of ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Queer Eye’, and connects with viewers of all ages while bringing two unlikely brands together.
One honorable mention that received buzz from Talking Dog Members was T-Mobile’s “Grease” featuring John Travolta, Donald Faison, and Zach Braff, singing an updated version of an iconic song from the movie musical Grease. With the trending theme of nostalgia with Gen Z, it’s no surprise that this ad was a hit.
Finally, Talking Dog Agency awarded the Best All Around Ad to Tubi’s “Interface Interruption” ad. The agency was impressed with the concept of this advertisement, which brought a fresh, modern, and attention-grabbing idea into a traditional advertising space.
Talking Dog Agency Co-Directors Margaret Leonard and Erin Riney are thrilled with the agency’s critical thinking around these iconic annual ads:
“Our agency consists of Gen Z experts who know how to spot a compelling ad and can more importantly get to the “why” behind it, from their experience working with real clients. Talking Dog members are pros at understanding what tactics brands use and the strategies behind them. We are always interested to hear what members say regarding the buzz around recent campaigns, especially ones from the Super Bowl!”
Each year, the Super Bowl provides a unique opportunity for our students to connect the knowledge, insights, and skills they learn in their Advertising and Public Relations classes to real-world executions created in the fast-paced industry they will join upon graduation. We look forward to seeing the Super Bowl commercials our students will produce one day!
