As the most highly anticipated sporting event of the year, the Super Bowl is more than just a game. It is also the perfect opportunity for brands to advertise their products and services to a massive audience. Every year, companies shell out millions of dollars for a mere 30 seconds of airtime during the Super Bowl. However, the ads that air during the Super Bowl are not just about promoting a product. They are also a form of art that tells a story and evokes emotions from viewers.
While millions across the country tune in for a football game and the little chuckles the commercials bring, marketers like us look for new inspiration and a peek at what other big companies are doing. But what exactly can we learn from these 30 seconds of airtime? It turns out quite a lot, and Davant Indy is here to break it all down for you!
Emotions are Powerful
If there’s one thing Super Bowl ads have in common, it’s their ability to evoke strong emotions from viewers. These emotions can be anything from nostalgia to happiness to sadness. The key is to connect with your audience on an emotional level, and Super Bowl ads do it perfectly. By doing so, they create a strong connection with their potential customers, and that connection can lead to brand loyalty. Therefore, when creating our own marketing strategies, we need to find ways to tap into our audience’s emotions to create a lasting impression.
Storytelling is Key
Super Bowl ads are known for telling great stories. They take the audience on a journey and make them a part of the story. Moreover, they keep viewers engaged and interested until the very end. When creating a marketing campaign, we need to take a page from the Super Bowl advertising playbook and make sure that our message tells a story. We need to give our audience a reason to care about our product or service.
Keep it Simple
Super Bowl ads are not overly complicated. They contain a simple and clear message that is easy for viewers to understand. In other words, they communicate the value proposition of the product or service in a concise and effective manner. When creating our own marketing campaigns, we need to keep it simple and ensure that our message is clear and to the point. Otherwise, we risk losing our audience’s attention.
Humor Works
Another thing Super Bowl ads are known for is their use of humor. A well-executed joke can make a lasting impression on viewers. Humor is a way to create a positive association with our brand, and it can also help viewers remember our message. However, humor can be a double-edged sword. If done poorly, it can have the opposite effect and turn viewers away. Therefore, when incorporating humor into our marketing strategies, we need to ensure that it is tasteful, appropriate, and aligns with our brand voice and messaging.
Visuals are Important
Super Bowl ads are visually stunning. Whether it’s the use of vibrant colors, stunning graphics, or captivating photography, the visuals used in Super Bowl ads are carefully crafted to stand out and grab viewers’ attention. We can learn from this and incorporate visually striking elements into our own marketing campaigns. By doing so, we can ensure that our message stands out and is memorable.
A Look Back at Some of the Best Super Bowl Commercials
Every year, Super Bowl commercials up the ante, aiming to leave a lasting impression on millions of viewers. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the best Super Bowl ads from years past.
1. Apple’s “1984” (1984)
This iconic ad promoting Apple’s Macintosh personal computer stands as a testament to the power of great storytelling. Directed by Ridley Scott, the commercial depicted a dystopian future and was played during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII. The ad left viewers intrigued, showing them that Apple was a company that dared to think differently.
2. Budweiser’s “Frogs” (1995)
Budweiser’s ‘Bud-wei-ser’ croaking frogs commercial is an example of the power of simplicity and humor in advertising. The ad featured three frogs named Bud, Weis, and Er, who croaked the beer’s name in an amusing chorus. This commercial became a cultural phenomenon and is still remembered fondly for its creativity and humor.
3. Always’ “#LikeAGirl” (2015)
This thought-provoking ad challenged the notion of doing something “like a girl” as an insult. Always turned the phrase on its head, empowering young girls and showing that doing things ‘Like A Girl’ was something strong and positive. The ad was praised for its emotional and inspiring messaging, demonstrating the effectiveness of emotionally connecting with the audience.
4. Coca-Cola’s “It’s Beautiful” (2014)
Showcasing America’s diversity, Coca-Cola’s “It’s Beautiful” was a powerful ad that featured “America the Beautiful” sung in multiple languages. Despite sparking controversy, the ad was celebrated for promoting unity and inclusivity, reminding us of the importance of visual storytelling and taking risks.
Each of these commercials underscores the lessons we’ve learned from Super Bowl advertising – the power of emotions, storytelling, simplicity, humor, and strong visuals. As we look forward to more Super Bowl commercials, let’s continue to find inspiration in these memorable ads.
Applying Super Bowl Lessons to Your 2024 Marketing Strategy
As we reflect on these nostalgic Super Bowl commercials and the invaluable lessons they impart, it’s the perfect time to consider how to weave these key principles into your 2024 marketing strategy.
Leverage Emotions
The power of emotions cannot be overstated. Whether it’s nostalgia, joy, or even surprise, connecting with your audience on an emotional level could bring about strong brand loyalty. In 2024, focus on creating campaigns that resonate emotionally with your target audience.
Narrate a Story
Storytelling keeps viewers engaged and interested. Your marketing strategy can benefit from clever storytelling, taking your audience on a journey that makes them care about your product or service. Think about how your brand’s story can be told in a captivating way.
Simplicity is Effective
In a world teeming with information overload, a clear and straightforward message stands out. As you plan for 2024, ensure your marketing messages are simple and concise and effectively communicate your value proposition.
Employ Humor Carefully
Used wisely, humor can create a positive association with your brand and make your message memorable. However, bear in mind that humor should be appropriate and align with your brand voice. Be careful not to cross any boundaries that may alienate your audience.
Make it Visual
Visually arresting elements in your campaign can help your message stand out and become memorable. Think about how you can include vibrant colors, stunning graphics, or captivating photography in your ads.
By incorporating these principles, your 2024 marketing strategy can reflect the wisdom garnered from years of memorable Super Bowl ads. Remember, while the platform or medium may change, the core principles of effective advertising remain the same.
Make 2024 a Well-Rounded Marketing Year
Super Bowl ads are more than just commercials. They’re a form of art that tells a story and connects with viewers on an emotional level. By studying them closely, we can learn valuable lessons that can help improve our marketing strategies. Whether it’s evoking emotions, telling a story, keeping it simple, using humor, or incorporating visually striking elements, we can apply these lessons to our own campaigns and create a lasting impression on our audience.
And what better way to evoke emotions and build connections with people than through print marketing from Davant Indy! With professionally designed and printed flyers, brochures, and banners, you can connect with people on a non-digital basis, evoking those emotions and incorporating striking elements. Adding print marketing to your 2024 marketing strategy gives you a well-rounded approach when it comes to connecting with your audience.
So, give us a call today, and let’s get you started with some great material!
