The Heartstring Hitters: Google Pixel's “Dream Job”
Every year, brands vie for your attention by tugging at your heartstrings. Google Pixel’s ad, "Dream Job," took this well-worn tactic and gave it a refreshingly relatable twist. A man uses Google’s Gemini AI assistant to help him prepare for a job interview. As he practices his responses about the job that taught him the most, the ad intersperses poignant moments from his fatherhood journey. It’s a tender and relatable story that avoids veering into sentimentality, allowing viewers to genuinely connect with the emotional weight of his experience.
While it’s another entry in the “let's make you feel deeply for tech” category (you know, like Google’s last Superbowl ad where it made you want to hug your smartphone), there’s something so universally human about the narrative that it almost feels impossible not to root for this underdog. Google may be known for its tech, but this ad reminds us that the heart of its innovation is about making people’s lives better. A smart, heartfelt choice that delivers exactly what we expect from a brand that knows how to tap into human emotion—without going overboard.
A Divisive Dive: Disney+ “What If”
Disney+ took a swing with their "What If" ad, imagining a world where their massive intellectual properties (IP)—Star Wars, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building—didn’t exist. What’s the result? A tragic, empty universe where viewers are left with nothing but longing and regret. It’s as if the ad is trying to make us believe that our lives would be utterly incomplete without access to Disney’s entire content empire. Sure, it’s a clever way to advertise their new package deal that bundles Hulu and ESPN, but the heavy-handed emotional angle feels more like a guilt trip than a genuine appeal.
Rather than just showcasing the value of their expanded offerings, the ad spends way too much time dwelling on the idea that, without Disney+, our pop culture landscape would simply fall apart. This ad feels a bit like Disney is pushing us into an existential crisis to sell us a subscription. Is it effective? Perhaps, but it also seems a bit extreme—selling not just entertainment, but the idea that life as we know it is less without Disney’s all-encompassing reach.
Actually Enticing Car Ads: Jeep & Ram
Look, if you’re going to make a car ad, at least make it interesting. For too long, car commercials have been a parade of sleek vehicles speeding through deserts, cityscapes, and occasionally, a foggy forest. Enter Jeep’s "Owner’s Manual" and Ram’s "Drive Your Own Story." Both were refreshingly different.
Jeep’s ad, featuring Harrison Ford, had just the right blend of humor and swagger to make it stand out. The legendary actor delivers a series of Yoda-esque musings like “life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual” and “freedom is the roar of one man’s engine,” dropping them with the same gravelly sincerity that’s made him a household name. Of course, the kicker is the subtle jab at his own name—“this Jeep makes me happy, even though my name is Ford.”
Ram, on the other hand, delivered a serious impact. Their 60-second spot, "Drive Your Own Story," combined thrilling action with undeniable charm, featuring Glen Powell in a quirky reimagining of a classic fairy tale that is both whimsical and touching. In this clever twist, Powell portrays a “rugged woodsy dude” taking on the role of Goldilocks, injecting humor into the beloved Three Bears narrative. Adding to the charm, Powell's real-life niece and nephew join the fun, creating an ad that resonates with heartfelt emotion. His genuine charisma transforms the commercial into more than just an advertisement; it feels like a mini family film.
The “What Were They Thinking?”: Reese’s “Don’t Eat the Lava”
Reese’s Lava Peanut Butter Cups were the star of a Super Bowl ad that aimed for humor but ended up with a confusing splash of nonsense. The premise is simple enough: a group of overly eager (and let’s face it, rather foolish) individuals hurl themselves into a volcano, enthusiastically trying to eat the glowing orange lava that’s being spewed out. Apparently, they can’t resist the bright, molten substance because it reminds them of the gooey chocolate inside the Lava Peanut Butter Cup.
Here’s the dilemma: the lava depicted in the ad bears little resemblance to the chocolate filling of the candy, making it difficult for viewers to draw any connection between the two. The vibrant, glowing orange lava is striking and theatrical, while the chocolate within the cup is, quite simply, brown and gooey. Interestingly, the black rocks cooling on the ground resemble the texture of Reese’s chocolate more closely, yet nobody seems inclined to munch on those. This ad exemplifies a concept that may have seemed clever in theory, but in practice, the characters appear overly ridiculous and disconnected, resulting in a response that is more perplexing than amusing.
Final Thoughts from Our Advertising Agency
In the end, Superbowl LIX brought us a mix of hits, misses, and head-scratchers. As an advertising company with years of experience, we know that marketing during the Superbowl is an art form, not just a chance to make noise. If you’re looking for a creative partner who can help you navigate the world of digital advertising, give us a call. We're ready to turn your vision into the next big thing!