Budweiser for Typical Americans

Budweiser Typical Americans commercial

Budweiser’s 2020 Super Bowl campaign, “Typical Americans”, is taking stereotypes and labels associated with American culture and turning them around. “They call us typical Americans, maybe because we live typical American lives. Like this typical American, showing off his strength! So typical! Look at him! Touching other peoples things! Always so competitive. Typical Americans showing up uninvited. Removing their clothes in public! Yelling, being loud. Just look at them! Thinking they can save the world. Typical Americans always celebrating with their typical American beer. So next time someone labels you “typical”, show them what typical can do.” The Typical Americans ad juxtaposes the commentary with visual scenes of Americans helping each other, going the extra mile. The ad also promotes Budweiser’s new label design inspired by the brand’s 1970s packaging. The new packaging replaces the claim “world renowned” with “The Great American”. A set of mini-documentaries features Free Hugs Project founder Ken Nwadike Jr, a military family reunion, US Womens National Soccer team members Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, and Hannah Gavios finishing a marathon three years after being left partially paralysed after falling 150 feet while evading an attacker.

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Amazon on life before Alexa

Amazon Before Alexa joker

Amazon.com is promoting the household management elements provided by Alexa and the Echo in “Before Alexa”, a Super Bowl advertising campaign featuring Ellen deGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Two teasers, “Temperature” and “Spilled Wine”, show the couple being helped out by Alexa’s voice-powered technology in their home. The full Super Bowl commercial explores the question, “What do you think people did before Alexa?” Alessa is a Victorian maid who throws firewood out the window when instructed to turn the temperature down. Alexei (Jamie Demetriou from Fleabag) is an Eliabethan era jester who can’t tell jokes. Alex the newsboy is asked for today’s news (all fake!). AlexeMS, a dove, is commissioned to take a message to Prince Constantine (doesn’t end well). Alesha is reminded by a President Nixon to delete those tapes (I delete…). The track finishes with Ellen’s favourite song, “Yeah!” by Usher, featuring Lil’ Jon & Ludacris.

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Doritos Cool Ranch in Old Town Road sequel

Sam Elliott in Doritos Cool Ranch Super Bowl commercial

Doritos is promoting the newly-enhanced flavour of Doritos Cool Ranch chips with a Super Bowl advertising campaign featuring the Lil Nas X hit “Old Town Road”. Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, who starred in their award-winning music video, are joined by Western actor Sam Elliott, known for his roles as cowboys and ranchers. The campaign’s teasers began with Sam Elliott walking into a saloon bar to deliver a monologue, with lines taken straight from the Old Town Road hit. Bassquake, the second teaser, has Lil Nas X riding into town on his horse with his amped up sounds ready to go. The full commercial has Lil Nas X and Sam Elliott meeting in the Cool Ranch street for a dance-off. No dancing from Billy Ray Cyrus.

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TurboTax – all people are tax people

Dancer in Turbo Tax Super Bowl commercial

TurboTax is running “All People Are Tax People Remix,” a music video styled commercial designed to air during the NFL Super Bowl LIV. “All People Are Tax People Extended Remix” is an original full-length song and music video recognizing the idea that taxes are something we all have in common. The song pays tribute to Bounce music with its repetition, high energy and southern style roots, and is brought to life on film featuring a diverse array and reflection of the American people. The remix ad is the culmination of the TurboTax “All People Are Tax People” campaign that debuted in January 2020. Fans of the video are invited to show off their #W2Step for the chance to win $5,000 by uploading a video of their dance on Twitter or Instagram using #W2Step and tagging @TurboTax.

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SodaStream discovers water on Mars

Sodastream Mars Water commercial

SodaStream is running a Super Bowl commercial and associated advertising campaign featuring science guy Bill Nye and 18 year-old astrobiology student Alyssa Carson. The teaser for the campaign, “Something big is bubbling”, has Bill Nye, Planetary Society CEO, reflecting on the likelihood of sending humans to Mars. The full commercial has a space crew on Mars discovering water, taking it back to their space craft and getting ready to leave. The exciting turn of events is complicated by bubbles. Sodastream’s message here is that reducing single-use plastic waste will reduce our need to find a new home in space. Residents of Mars, Pennsylvania, can tweet at @SodaStreamUSA on Feb. 2 — Super Bowl Sunday — and if they do, they’ll receive a free SodaStream.

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Apple Chinese New Year Daughter

Apple Daughter Chinese New Year ad

Apple is celebrating Chinese New Year with “Daughter”, a short film shot entirely on an iPhone. Daughter is an emotional story of a taxi driver’s (Xun) complicated relationship with the two most important women in her life, her young daughter and her estranged mother. The film examines the changing social norms in China and reflects on the generational differences between traditional families and modern youth. The intergenerational Apple Daughter film is a touching drama of family reconnecting for the Chinese New Year. Apple’s behind-the-scenes film reveals the different ways the iPhone 11 Pro was used to capture sweeping panoramas, intimate closeups and single take ultra wide flashbacks.

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