Good morning!
I'm Jameson Fleming, news editor here at Adweek, and I've got the latest round of Super Bowl news. Before we get into all the teasers and full spots, let's first take a look at some of the interesting stunts and strategic regional buys. Frank's RedHot is channeling "Everything's a Tide Ad" with its latest campaign. Playing off its tagline, "I put that sh#t on everything," the brand is asking tweeters to add the cayenne pepper emoji on all Super Bowl tweets. Those who do will have a chance to win prizes like cars, vacations and gift cards.
Pepsi is taking full advantage of being a) the Super Bowl's official soft drink and b) invading Coca Cola's home city, Atlanta. The brand blanketed the city in billboards trolling its competitor.
Finally, Natty Light is back in the game with a regional buy in five of the top 10 markets for student debt. Why? They're giving away $1 million to help relieve students of college debt.
Exclusive full ad from Michelob Ultra
We won't spoil this one too much before you watch it, but it involves very athletic robots. It's the first of two Michelob ads in the game, and amazingly, it hits on a very similar theme as this fellow 2019 Super Bowl ad (again I won't say what that theme is because I don't want to spoil the ending. Once you click the link, the connection will be obvious). We also got a full ad in from another AB-InBev brand, Bon & Viv. Viewers don't realize its a Shark Tank spoof until the end, so it's one of those ads that gets better with a second viewing. Also, Budweiser's full ad is out, which is once again a cause marketing spot. This time it's dedicated to touting Budweiser's commitment to renewable energy.
Expensify makes its ad interactive
If a brand is going to spend $5 million on an ad, it needs to get the most bang for its buck. In Expensify's case, that means creating a music video with 2 Chainz and Adam Scott, and then using that video to give away money. Viewers can download the Expensify app, then take photos of all the receipts in the music video. Once they upload the photos in the app, they can win the money on the receipts. The stunt could be effective for two reasons: It gets viewers to download the app and then viewers spend time with the ad looking for receipts.
Actors reprising familiar roles
We already know that the aforementioned Adam Scott is playing an accountant (Hello, Ben Wyatt-like character). Jeff Bridges tweeted out a teaser for an unknown brand as The Dude from The Big Lebowski, and Sarah Jessica Parker is back as Carrie Bradshaw in a Stella ad that could be a hint at the brand's Super Bowl play. Finally, Sarah Michelle Gellar stars in Olay's horror ad, which pays homage to her time as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Scream 2.
The most popular ads of the past five years
Our video team put together this show featuring brand marketing reporter Katie Richards and editorial director James Cooper, who run down the most popular ads of recent Super Bowl ads. Spoiler: People love Budweiser Clydesdales and dogs.
Teasers Galore
Even more teasers have come in. Chance the Rapper can't nail Backstreet Boys dance moves for Doritos. Kristin Chenoweth is spending more time with dogs for Avocados From Mexico. Cardi B and Steve Carell are hanging out at the same diner as Lil Jon for Pepsi. And Burger King is back in the game with a mysterious ad (we can't say much on that one, but it's going to leave you puzzled).
