The Super Bowl is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, and it’s not because 111.9 million people (that’s the approximate number of Super Bowl 50 viewers) love football. Of course there is a fair share of football lovers incorporated into that number, but it’s the commercials and even the halftime show that skyrocket those ratings. What makes a Super Bowl commercial great? We think it all comes down to who is the best storyteller, and we’ve got our picks for the best Super Bowl commercials this year.
Hyundai – First Date
There aren’t many dads out there that can’t relate to this commercial by Hyundai, and relatability is a huge aspect of successful storytelling. This commercial takes the viewers on a (hilarious) journey of an over-protective dad (Kevin Hart) who is worried about his daughter going on her first date, so he strategically encourages her date to drive his new car – a car with exceptional GPS tracking abilities.
Clearly Hyundai knows how to tell great stories, and they’ve done so in this commercial by making us laugh and maybe even by making some dads out there whose daughters are now grown a little bit nostalgic, thinking back to the days that their little girl embarked on the world of dating.
Heinz Ketchup – Weiner Stampede
Sometimes all you need is a Dachshund wearing a hot dog costume to make a commercial great. Heinz got it right by telling a story that incorporated adorable dogs in costume with an overall hilarious concept. Yes, those are “Weiner dogs” running towards their new family that happen to be dressed as Heinz condiments. The music selection is pretty genius as well.
This example of clever storytelling is brilliant because I honestly don’t know that I will be able to pick up another bottle of ketchup or mustard without thinking about those dachshunds running through a field wearing a hot dog costume. I wouldn’t be surprised if the song popped into my head as well.
Audi – Commander
This commercial gave us all the feels for multiple reasons. Audi tugs at our heartstrings by telling the story of a retired astronaut who longs for another adventure. His son hands over the keys to his 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus and they take a drive that takes the retired astronaut on an adventure down memory lane. Oh, and to top it off, the commercial is set to David Bowie’s song, “Starman,” which takes the story to an even higher level of genius. This is great storytelling from every angle.
Mini USA - #DefyLabels
Mini USA tackles the topic of labeling with their Super Bowl commercial that featured the new Mini Clubman car. This is a great example of storytelling because the topic of labeling tells so many stories all on its own. In this commercial they use some big names like Abby Wambach, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk and many more to tell a story and get their point across – the Mini Clubman car doesn’t care what you call it. We have to admit that we are a little partial to this commercial for another completely selfish reason – our chief, Laura Holloway, is a part of the Mini Club!
The Bud Light Party
This commercial is great because, well, Amy Schumer and Seth Rogan. Right? But also because Bud Light capitalized on two big marketing opportunities – the Super Bowl and election season, and they made it funny! Incorporating humor into your storytelling tactics is always a win, especially when Amy Schumer and Seth Rogan are involved. People are going to watch, and more importantly, people are going to remember. That’s the ultimate goal – creating something memorable – and Bud Light did a great job accomplishing that.
Jeep – 4x4ever
This commercial celebrates Jeep’s 75th anniversary and is the picture perfect example of storytelling by way of highlighting the life adventures that one of America’s oldest and most popular vehicles, the Jeep, has taken on. They also incorporate impressive songwriting, with a custom written tune that you may even find yourself searching for on iTunes. The catchy song and the impressive visual storytelling made this commercial a shoe in for our list. I have to admit – I’ve watched it more than a few times. Who’s up for an (off) road trip?
Are you ready to start telling great stories? Here at The Storyteller Agency, we make it our goal to help you find the right stories for your brand. Contact us today - send an email to info@storytelleragency.com or call us at 850.267.0931. We can help you tell great stories!