Our Opinions On The 2025 “Big Game” Ads

Well, the Big Game finally happened. Needless to say, this year was one to remember; Philadelphia beating Kansas City, the half-time show, the ads. Whether you are ecstatic or raging at the winning results, we can all agree that there were some interesting ads this year. With 30-second ads priced at eight-million dollars (yikes!), they better be worth it. Some businesses took a chance; some paying off and some not. ​

We all have our opinions on which ads were great and some that missed the mark. That’s why we are giving you our list! Ours will be based on facts and viewer ratings, not just our personal opinions. 

Not Our Favorites
1. Coffee mate - Cold Foam If you are anything like us, you were a little disturbed after watching this one. Perhaps consider yourself lucky if you did not witness this advertisement. This one is going viral, but not for the right reasons. Viewers on social media are blasting the ad, from saying “WTF did I just watch” to “literally laughing out loud,” some people even going as far as throwing their cold foam in the trash. 
Coffee mate’s goal was to “get tongues talking” (said a Coffee mate spokesperson), and we can agree that its goal is fulfilled. In a professional stance, the ad was produced well, the idea was out of the box, and it did get people talking. Maybe it was too much for a creamer brand, but it is the Super Bowl - stranger things have happened. 

2. Hims & Hers - Weight-loss Medication Viewers indulging in yummy Super Bowl snacks got a slap-in-the-face with this one! There's nothing like being surrounded by food when a weight-loss ad comes on. Just like Coffee mate, people think this ad is distasteful. From a marketing perspective, the production of this ad is well done. It grabbed attention, was filmed and edited very well, and it did showcase their product. Health in America is very controversial right now, and the first half of the ad did an amazing job showcasing that change is needed in that area. Then, it turns into an ad for weight-loss drugs.  
There is backlash from this, from viewers and health experts. The ad is also made as a fear appeal. By showcasing the broken American healthcare system then turning it into an ad, it is making the only “option” more medication. Using people’s fears and reality into an ad is only a tactic that is ok in a few situations. At Superior Effect Marketing, we don’t often use fear appeals because there is such a small margin of situations that it works for. Now, healthcare experts are issuing warnings because the ad lacks disclosures as well, like talking to your doctor or the side effects of the medication. 

3. Angel Soft - Bathroom Break This one is on our list more-so because there was so much potential, but it came short. Instead of a conventional ad, they chose to do a bathroom break countdown. As important as a bathroom break is, a 30-second countdown of an infant angel telling you to go is maybe not a great idea for a room full of partying adults. 
The timing of the ad airing was genius, however, and a company statement said it was purposely right before the half-time show. Overall, the ad was creative and issued an important message of going to the bathroom before the show, but just missed the mark. 

Noteworthy (Un?)Honorable Mentions
1. Poppi - PR Stunt Gone Wrong The actual Super Bowl advertisements weren't bad. The ads were fun, showcased the popular drink, and featured popular names.  But Poppi may have misfired with their social media PR campaign. They sent Poppi vending machines to influencers for them to make videos with. At first thought it is a cool idea, however, viewers are saying it is a miss. It could’ve been so much more influential by putting these vending machines in school campuses, malls, hospitals, or community events to share the product with ‘average joes.’ 

2. Tubi - Flesh Hats We’ve got to give it to them, it was creative. However, the unsettling fleshy hats were just too much. The actual message of the ad was good too, but the uncomfortable images being shown just dumped it down the drain. 

3. Mountain Dew - Seal as a Seal Ummm, what was that? This one was just weird. It is pretty typical for Mountain Dew to do an out-of-the-box idea, but I don’t know if I can look at a seal the same way again. It does make me want a nice crisp Baja Blast, though, so goal achieved! 

The Best
Now time for our favorites! 
1. Instacart - Mascots Unite The Jolly Green Giant, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Puppy Monkey Baby, Mr. Clean, and more! The recognizable mascots at the grocery stores all came together with Instacart to make a memorable ad. Getting that hint of nostalgia from seeing Chester Cheetah or the Kool-Aid Man makes for an ad you won’t forget when you see Instacart. This ad has all the classics: mascots, music, a story, and a theme. When you forget a grocery item, you’ll be sure to remember the GotMilk cow delivering it with Instacart! That is what makes an ad sell. 

2. Budweiser  Come on, who didn’t think this ad was adorable? This ad won “USA Today’s Ad Meter contest” and we can see why. Budweiser’s Clydesdale horses are a fan favorite, and they know that. It definitely spoke to viewers’ emotional appeal; seeing that little horse make its first delivery. 
The cinematography of this ad is top-tier. You don’t have to be a marketing genius to see how they used lighting to make this foal look heroic and lively. After delivering the keg to the bar, making everyone pleasantly surprised, a beer is poured in honor of the foal further pushing the heroic theme. 

3. Doritos - Fan Made Ad Gone Viral This ad was the winner of a contest for Doritos's commercial. The intergalactic themed advertisement was creative, being wacky yet effective like most of Doritos’s commercials. Viewers enjoyed the thematic ad that was made by a director and content creator duo.  
The advertisement is well-done, unquestionably. But many viewers enjoy that it won a contest. The ad perfectly encapsulated Doritos’s branding. The cheesy goodness of Doritos brings people (and aliens) together. 

Noteworthy Honorable Mentions
1. Hellman’s - When Harry Met Sally  Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan revisit their infamous scene, but insert Hellman’s mayo. The cult classic film’s scene remake, plus featuring Sydney Sweeney was a hit among viewers young and old. It may have been awkward to those who didn’t get the iconic scene, but those who get it, get it. 
2. Michelob Ultra - Winners Get Ultra The tension between the pickleball pair Catherine O’Hara and William Defoe and their opponents are unreal, fighting for cold Ultras. This ad effortlessly shows that Ultra is something that is worth fighting for and is perfect for sport matches. And pickleball being the sport of choice for the ad didn’t go unnoticed, as it is a huge trend right now. 
3. RAM trucks - Glen-dilocks  This parody of Goldilocks and the Three Bears featuring Glen Powell is no short of comical. Seeing Powell in a wig going on different adventures, raining his “just right” mode of transportation being a RAM truck. While we aren’t going to kill a dragon or drive with a bear in the truck (hopefully), the message of RAM is evident. 

The Super Bowl is notably the time where businesses can make a more creative, and arguably weird, ad and get away with it. Some are perfectly ridiculous to be a hit, others maybe went a little too far. Do you agree with our list? Did we miss one? 

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