Plus, Sir Patrick and friends climb Paramount’s Mountain ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
ADWEEK | First Things First
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First Things First
 
 
February 5, 2021
By Jess Zafarris
 
 
 
2021 Super Bowl Ads Are Funny, Festive and Full of Celebs. But Where Are the Face Masks?
 
 

We’ve now seen more than 30 complete Super Bowl LV ads, and they’re a nice blend of fun, humorous, heartfelt and inspiring. But almost all of them have one thing in common—no masks. McDonald's did include a mask in its pre-game ad, which celebrates its drive-thru customers, otherwise there’s hardly a mask in sight. At a time when masks are ubiquitous—and an important element of pandemic-era safety precautions—their absence is conspicuous.

Adweek’s Robert Klara offers 5 reasons why brands avoided masking up their ad stars this year.

 
 
 
 
 
Celebrities Ascend 'Paramount Mountain' in Paramount+ Super Bowl Ad
 

Droga5’s “Journey to the Peak” campaign for ViacomCBS’ upcoming streaming service Paramount+, which took its first steps during the AFC Championship, continues during the Super Bowl with four promos. The ads, which are part of CBS’ in-game allotment, highlight the streamer’s content and many of the celebrities in it. In the promos, ViacomCBS stars like Sir Patrick Stewart, Stephen Colbert and more trek up the Paramount Mountain. Watch the ads, and learn how Droga5 summited this metaphorical peak.

More Big Game Updates: News from Bass Pro Shops, Fiverr and ViacomCBS

  • Sister chains Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s have united for their first Super Bowl ad, which invites Americans to “get back to nature.” Enjoy the view.
  • Fiverr’s Super Bowl ad teaser transports you back to 2020—and Four Seasons Total Landscaping, the site of one of Trump’s most awkward moments. Watch here.
  • Scotts Miracle-Gro’s first Super Bowl appearance introduces a spokesperson named Pete, who is intended to appeal to millennial lawn and gardening enthusiasts. Meet Pete.
  • Super Bowl 55, which CBS will broadcast on Sunday, is perfectly timed to help the network get its season back on track. Adweek's Jason Lynch explores why. Plus, hear from Jo Ann Ross about how ViacomCBS took an unusual approach to the Super Bowl, courting first-time advertisers that saw success in 2020. 
  • Super Bowl 55 can be streamed in more ways than ever, so it’s perhaps no surprise that it’s shaping up to be “the most streamed TV event to date.” Learn how this will impact the future of the Big Game. 
  • It sounds nice to escape, but analysis by Zeta Global suggests that brands would be better off facing the facts of the pandemic in their Super Bowl ads. Explore the insights.
 
 
 
Why Uber’s Drizly Deal Deserves a Toast
 

This week, Uber announced its plans to buy Drizly for $1.1 billion. The deal speaks to the success of both platforms and the surge of delivery—both food and alcohol—during the pandemic, and it shows how ecommerce players are emulating Amazon’s success model. After the sale concludes, Drizly will remain its own app, but it will also be integrated into Uber Eats so that customers can order alcohol through the platform. But there could be tension with restaurants that want to sell delivery booze.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PepsiCo Puts the Spotlight on Rockstar Energy Drinks
 

Almost a year ago, PepsiCo bought Rockstar Energy Beverages. Now it’s reintroducing the brand with a revamped look and tone that aims to draw the general public into the buzzy energy drink category, expanding beyond the stereotypical gamer crowd. The rollout will begin during the Super Bowl pre-game show prior to kick-off. Check out the reimagined branding in the 30-second spot about it.

More of Today’s Top News and Highlights:

 
 
 
 
 
From Adweek Branded by ENGINE
[Ebook] The What, Why and How of the Future of Data-Driven Media
 
[Ebook] The What, Why and How of the Future of Data-Driven Media
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Super Bowl Ad That Worked so Well It No Longer Needs to Be in the Big Game
 
 

Iconic ads like Bud Light's “Dilly dilly!” and Alexa losing her voice are certainly memorable—but when it comes to sheer longevity, no brand can touch Master Lock. Unlock its intriguing Super Bowl ad history.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adweek Promos and Events
New Speakers! Warby Parker, Hill House Home and Grove Collaborative
 
 

Warby Parker Senior Director of Experience Design Tim Riley, Hill House Home Founder and Chief Executive Officer Nell Diamon, and Grove Collaborative Chief Marketing Officer Lilian Tomovich join us as Breakout Session leaders at the Challenger Brands Summit, Feb. 22-25.

Don't wait, view the full schedule and use code NLSUB20 for an extra 20% off* before rates increase on 2/9.

*new registrations only

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This Organic Hard Seltzer Brand Launched an 'OnlyCans' for Valentine’s Day
 
 

Crook & Marker's new website features a lifetime supply of shirtless men and their dogs.

 
 
 
 
 
Joe Montana Explores What it Means to Be the GOAT in Guinness' Regional Super Bowl Ad
 
 

The 30-second spot will run in select markets during the Big Game.

 
 
 
 
 
TikTok Shares What Some Brands Have in Store on Its Platform for Super Sunday
 
 

The video creation platform also revealed more guests for its TikTok Tailgate event.

 
 
 
 
 
Duncan Channon Takes On Covid-19 Vaccination Public Education Campaign
 
 

The agency worked with partner shops to reach California's diverse population.

 
 
 
 
 
Profiles in Black Creativity: Michelle Lawrence Takes on Big Tobacco
 
 

2018 campaign spotlights predatory practices.

 
 
 
 
 
Twitter Saw 6.7 Billion K-Pop Tweets in 2020
 
 

BTS was the most mentioned artist and its 'Dynamite' was the most-mentioned song.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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