If you’re in marketing, the Super Bowl isn’t just a game—it’s our Super Bowl.
This is the moment when brands have the biggest stage, the highest stakes, and a chance to deliver marketing greatness.
And every year, we tune in, not for the touchdowns, but for the ads that make us laugh, cry, and immediately hit share.
For $8 million per 30-second spot, we expected jaw-dropping creativity, emotional storytelling, and the kind of marketing brilliance that makes us want to slow clap.
Instead, this year’s lineup felt…underwhelming. Safe. Forgettable. Lacking the spark that makes a Super Bowl ad truly iconic.
And let’s be honest—we’re not here for the football. We’re here for the ads. (And the snacks, obviously.) But this year, even the best commercials didn’t quite hit like they used to.
Sure, a few stood out—Nike, Rocket Mortgage, Google Pixel, and a handful of others managed to break through the mediocrity. But overall? The wow factor just wasn’t there.
Here’s what actually caught our attention and why they worked in a year where so many others missed the mark.
Google Pixel’s ‘Dream Job’
Raise your hand if you’ve ever doubted yourself before a big interview. Google Pixel’s ad featured a dad using AI-powered Google Gemini Live to prep for a job interview, flashing back to all the skills he unknowingly mastered as a parent—conflict resolution, multitasking, problem-solving. Goosebumps.
As parents, this one hit hard. Because let’s be real—you don’t fully realize the career skills you gain just by keeping tiny humans alive. Patience? Check. Teamwork? Check. Negotiation skills? Oh, we could run the U.N. at this point. Parents manage chaos, lead under pressure, and pivot at a moment’s notice. If that’s not real-world experience, we don’t know what is.
Why we loved it:
Emotional Punch – It celebrated something we often overlook: how much life teaches us.
Tech Meets Heart – A clever way to highlight AI without making it scary or cold.
rOCKET MORTGAGE - OWN THE DREAM
Some ads go big. This one went straight for the heart. It tells the story of home—not just as a structure, but as a feeling. Backed by a reimagined version of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” it wove together snapshots of life’s most meaningful moments: kids running through sprinklers, families gathered around the dinner table, veterans finally stepping into the embrace of loved ones.
And then, in a Super Bowl first, the stadium itself became part of the story—when the game returned, 65,000 fans at Caesars Superdome joined in a spontaneous sing-along, turning the ad’s sentiment into something truly unforgettable.
This one hit deep because home isn’t just a place—it’s security, stability, and the ultimate dream. It tapped into something universal: the pride of ownership, the nostalgia of family, and the idea that everyone deserves a chance to build a life of their own. Rocket Mortgage didn’t just sell home loans; they sold the feeling of home.
Why We Loved It:
Relatable Storytelling – Buying a home is a big deal. Rocket Mortgage made it feel achievable.
Minimalism Wins – No gimmicks, just a heartfelt moment that hit home (pun intended).
Authenticity at Its Best – The mix of nostalgia, real families, and a stadium sing-along made this one unforgettable.
jesus - he gets us
In a sea of overproduced, high-budget ads, this one stood out for its simplicity and heart. Set to Johnny Cash’s acoustic cover of “Personal Jesus,” the ad featured quiet, powerful moments of people helping one another—offering a warm meal, standing up for the vulnerable, showing up when it matters most. No flashy effects, no celebrities—just humanity at its best.
It was a reminder that love isn’t always grand gestures—it’s in the smallest acts of kindness. A hand on a shoulder, a meal shared, a moment of understanding. As proud women of faith, this one resonated deeply. It reflected a message we hold close: taking care of your fellow human is what truly matters.
In a world that often feels divided, this ad was a beautiful call back to the simplest, purest form of love—compassion.
Why we loved it:
Subtle, Yet Powerful – It didn’t preach; it simply showed humanity at its best.
A Bold Choice – In a world of loud, this ad whispered. And we heard it.
Simplicity Wins – No distractions, just a reminder of what really matters.
Universal Impact – You don’t have to share the faith to appreciate the message: take care of each other.
Liquid Death – “Don’t Be Scared, It’s Just Water”
We’re a little obsessed with Liquid Death’s story. Did you know it started as a prank? Yep—when it first launched, there wasn’t even an actual product, just a marketing experiment designed to see if people would buy “tallboys” of water packaged like a hardcore energy drink.
Spoiler: they did. Fast forward, and now it’s one of the most brilliantly marketed beverage brands out there.
This year’s Super Bowl ad played right into their rebellious image. The commercial looked like it was hyping up something edgy and intense, only to reveal—it’s just water. (Oh, and their new iced tea and cola, too.)
The genius of Liquid Death is in its ability to challenge assumptions, making something as simple as hydration feel like a countercultural movement. It’s bold, it’s weird, and it works.
Why We Loved It:
Humor Wins Every Time – Making people laugh = making people remember.
Branding Done Right – They know exactly who they are and never stray from it.
Marketing Genius – Turning a water brand into a cultural statement? That’s next-level.
Nike’s ‘So Win’ – A Love Letter to Women’s Sports
It has to be said—we are obsessed with Nike’s marketing. Year after year, they don’t just sell shoes; they sell movements, moments, and motivation. And this year? They delivered again with a stunning, black-and-white, beautifully shot ad that put women’s sports front and center.
Featuring powerhouse athletes like Sophia Smith, Jordan Chiles, and A’ja Wilson, this ad wasn’t just about competition—it was about strength, grit, and breaking every barrier in the game.
The artsy cinematography, the intensity, the raw energy—we simply loved it. Girl power on full display? Sign us up.
Why We Loved It:
Empowering Women – A powerful statement on the dominance of female athletes.
Stunning Visuals – The black-and-white aesthetic was bold, timeless, and unforgettable.
Nike Just Gets It – They don’t just make ads; they create moments that stick with you.
Final Thoughts: Where Was the Magic?
The best Super Bowl ads usually make us cry, laugh until we cry, or immediately want to share them with everyone we know. They leave us talking the next day, quoting lines, and replaying them just for fun.
But this year? Most of them simply fell flat.
Where was the creativity? Where was the humor? Where was the emotional connection that makes an ad more than just another commercial?
With $8 million price tags for 30 seconds, we expected brands to go all in—to take risks, tell better stories, and actually make us feel something.
Instead, we got a lot of forgettable, play-it-safe moments that barely made an impact.
Sure, a handful of ads broke through the noise, but overall, we were left wanting more. More originality, more boldness, more of the kind of marketing that makes the Super Bowl worth watching even when we don’t care who’s playing.
Here’s hoping that next year, brands step up and give us ads that truly deserve the spotlight.
Until then? We’ll be here, watching, critiquing, and of course, enjoying the snacks.
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