Top Five Alumni Super Bowl Ads of the Last Decade
Every Brandcenter student who graduated in the last decade knows Ashley Sommardahl, Senior Director of Academics and Student Affairs. She’s a fierce student advocate, queen of alumni connections and behind the scenes of everything happening at Brandcenter.
The Super Bowl, one of the most exciting times of the year for our industry, is coming up this Sunday. Since Ashley is a longtime Brandcenterer and knows our alumni work like the back of her hand, we thought: let’s tap into Ashley’s Super Bowl records and ask for her take on the best Brandcenter alumni Super Bowl ads from the last decade. Here are her thoughts, with spots listed in no particular order, and stay tuned for a record-breaking number of alumni spots in the 2020 Big Game.
2010
Google - Parisian Love
Tristan Smith (CW, 2009)
Google Creative Lab
This is simple storytelling (and production!!) at it’s finest. Seriously though, how can an ad for Google Search make me cry? The concept is also timeless; just as relevant today as it was 10 years ago.
2017
Audi - Daughter, Soap Box Derby
Mike McGuire (CW, 2015) and Allison Hayes (AD, 2005)
Venables Bell & Partners
I love that Audi was one of the first brands to take a stand on an important social topic, proving that brands can help foster important cultural conversations. Plus, I have two daughters. #girlpower
2011
VW - The Force
David Povill (CW, 2003)
Deutsch
Who doesn’t love a cute kid, Star Wars music, and a funny ending? This one was also significant because it was the first spot to be pre-released four days before the game. Doing that was unheard of at the time.
2018
Tourism Australia - Fake Dundee Movie
Chris Colliton (XD, 2012) and Kevin Weir (AD, 2012)
Droga5
This one totally fooled me. I was ready to buy tickets to the Crocodile Dundee movie sequel. This one had it all: great storytelling, humor, big production and celebrities. (This creative team now lives and works abroad…in Amsterdam. It would have been a much better story if they were in Australia!)
2016
Mountain Dew - Puppy Monkey Baby
Don Marshall Wilhemi (CW, 2004)
BBDO
EVERYONE was talking about this one, whether you love it or hate it. I happen to love it because it’s just so weird. Fun Fact: Our alum, Don Marshall, who wrote the spot was also the voice of the puppy-monkey-baby.