Newcastle's Mega Huge Super Bowl Ad Campaign For The Mega Huge Super Bowl Ads They Didn't Make.

In a clever twist on being clever, Newcastle Ale (which is owned by Heineken) has launched a Mega Huge anti-Super Bowl Ad campaign mocking the fact that they didn't create a mega Huge Super Bowl ad campaign.  With tongue-in-cheek banners, a website and a series of videos, they manage to make fun of everything related to Super Bowl advertising through the creative process, the focus group research, the teaser/trailer/making of phenomenon, the would-be pitchmen: Anna Kendrick and Keyshawn Johnson and of course, the prohibitive cost.

Here is the full campaign (thus far) followed by the press release:

The banner:


Their Facebook Page cover photo:


Their website home page:


The 9 funny videos below are shown in the order in which they were released:

1,. The Ad Newcastle made to prepare you for the ad they didn't make:


2. Newcastle's Cheap Ad they made for the pricey ad they didn't make:


3. The Teaser for the Trailer for Newcastle's Mega Huge Football Game Ad.
It's so epic, they made a trailer for the trailer:


4. The Official Stock Footage Trailer for the Mega Huge Football Game Ad they didn't make:


5. Newcastle's Mega Huge Football Ad Focus group:


6. Actual focus groups react to the Mega Football Ad they didn't make:


7. Keyshawn Johnson: Behind The Scenes of the Mega Huge Football Ad they almost made:


8. Anna Kendrick: Behind The Scenes of the Mega Huge Football Ad they almost made:


9 IT'S OFFICIAL: Real Focus Groups gave Newcastle's Mega Huge Football Game Ad a Mega Huge Score:


A 10th video is expected soon:


The Press Release:

Newcastle Brown Ale taps Anna Kendrick and Keyshawn Johnson to star in the greatest Big Game ad never made

Actress and singer Anna Kendrick has racked up an impressive string of triumphs: Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for her performance in “Up in the Air;” a starring role in the hit film “Pitch Perfect;” and most recently with her 2013 triple-platinum single, “Cups.” But she will never get the chance to play what might have been her greatest role yet: the lead in an epic, Big Game spot for Newcastle Brown Ale.

It’s too bad Newcastle doesn’t believe in spending millions on a Mega Huge Football Game ad because it would have been amazing. Instead, Kendrick and football legend Keyshawn Johnson are taking center stage in a tongue-in-cheek marketing effort dubbed “If We Made It” that pokes fun at the ridiculous excess, overused schtick and over-the-top antics found in traditional Big Game commercials.

Newcastle may not be making the ad, but fortunately fans will be able to see all the trailers, storyboards, focus groups and behind-the-scenes interviews with Kendrick and Johnson at www.IfWeMadeIt.com. There also will be fresh content posted in real-time on the day of the Big Game.

“We think the formula for creating the most epic Big Game commercial of all time is pretty simple, but when it comes down to it, we’d rather have people drink our beer while watching other companies’ ads,“ said Charles van Es, senior brand director for Newcastle Brown Ale. “And to be honest, we don’t really have the money or permission to advertise on the game either.”

What did the world miss when Newcastle decided to keep its focus on making great beer instead of spending millions on making outlandish ads? Giant robots, beach babes and crazy celebrity cameos – as well as Kendrick starring as Hot Party Girl #1 and Johnson voicing a skateboarding cat.

“It’s a shame Newcastle didn’t have the budget to actually produce and air this ad. I was really looking forward to a huge paycheck for doing no real work at all,” said Anna Kendrick. “Indie cred from award-winning films is great and all, but I can’t buy a new car with indie cred.”

“Newcastle asked me to be in its Big Game ad, and I wish they would’ve made it, because I truly believe it would’ve been the greatest football-related thing I’ve ever done,” said Keyshawn Johnson. “For years, I’ve dreamed of voicing a skateboard-riding cat in a beer commercial, and thanks to Newcastle, I nearly achieved that oddly specific goal.”

Fans can join in on the fun at www.IfWeMadeIt.com or by following Newcastle on Facebook and Twitter, where they’ll find a variety of humorous content related to the astonishing Big Game ad that would have blown the world’s mind – everything except the ad, of course.

The program was created in partnership with Droga5 and is part of Newcastle’s long-running “No Bollocks” campaign, which takes a lighthearted, no-nonsense, honest approach to marketing by shining a light on the silly, stale and sometimes deceptive clichés often found in beer advertising.

www.IfWeMadeIt.com

Car Max Super Bowl "Slow Clap" Ad is Well Done... And Then Done Again With Puppies!

Car Max has released a nice new spot that will air in the upcoming Super Bowl. Then, as a bonus, they then went ahead and recreated it with puppies - claiming that if the Super Bowl has a "puppy version" then why not their ad?



The premise is the same for the two versions: A customer leaves the Car Max lot and during his drive home receives the "slow clap" from everyone he passes. Even the cupid in a front lawn fountain breaks into the sarcastic applause. To add a little pop culture cameo, actor Sean Astin appears in the commercial referencing his role in the 1993 sports tearjerker 'Rudy'.

The Car Max "Slow Clap" spot that airs during the game will only be 30 seconds, but here's the extended version:


As if creating an entertaining spot for the Superbowl weren't enough of a challenge, they then went ahead and recreated it with puppies:

Slow Bark - CarMax "Puppy Version" of Big Game Commercial 2014:


A few more frame comparisons for you- because I had fun making them:




A shout out to Mashable for bringing this to my attention.

The Controversy (and the Talent) Behind The Beautiful Farmer Commercial for Dodge Ram Trucks From The Super Bowl.

One of the most memorable spots on yesterday's Super Bowl - and one that has made it on most reviewers "Best Spots of the Super Bowl" lists - is also one which has been stirring up some controversy, at least amongst the ad community. Frankly, anyone outside of the advertising business could not care less, so I won't be surprised if you've stopped reading this already. But back to the subject at hand.

You may think the uproar is because of the numerous mentions of "God" or because of the the fact that some feel Farming has radically changed since Paul Harvey gave the speech used as the voice over at the National FFA Convention in 1978, but it's actually the spots' originality which has been questioned. I wanted to clear up a few things regarding that as well bring some credit the well-deserving photographers whose work was used in the ad.

Created by the Richards Group, the two minute spot with the Paul Harvey voiceover is an updated version of a concept originally seen in a video for Farms.com.

The Dodge Ram Truck  "Farmer" Super Bowl commercial:

The Farms.com video:


But let it be known that Farms. com has made a point of publicly supporting the ad with both tweets and this new description under their own video on You Tube:



As well as including this info in a hovering window atop the You Tube video:


While it's not the first Super Bowl commercial to have been inspired by a previous one, nor the first to take an already produced idea and make it far superior in terms of production quality, both The Richards Group and Farms.com - as well as the Chrysler brand - are to be commended for creating and running an ad that was powerful in its quietude and a refreshing change from the fast-paced, noisy, special effects ads that dominated most of the broadcast.

Whether or not you feel the ad was derivative, one thing that is not debatable is the incredibly stunning imagery in the ad and it is those photographers whose work I want to bring to your attention.

Below are the ten photographers whose beautiful imagery is to credit in the Dodge Ram Truck "farmer " Spot:
Andy Anderson
William Allard
Jim Arndt 
Daniel Beltra,
Mark Gooch,
Andy Mahr,
Kurt Markus,
David Spielman,
Matt Turley and
Olaf Veltman.

Creatives from The Richards Group who worked on the spot include Creative Directors Jimmy Bonner and Rob Baker and Freelance art buyer/ producer Deb Grisham.

Addendum: If it wasn't already clear, the Dodge Ram Farmer ad by The Richards Group also stands as a testament to the importance of production values and having people in charge with taste. Creatives, Account Staff, Producers and most importantly, a client, that understand the impact of visuals in addition to the content and copy (and sometimes the need to spend a little more) can make all the difference. Imagine if they'd simply run the Farms.com version.

UPDATE: For every view, download or share of “Farmer” located on the brand’s website at www.ramtrucks.com/keepplowing, Ram will make a donation to FFA. Funds raised will go to local FFA chapters for student programs geared toward fighting hunger in communities across the country.

Bueller, Bulldogs & Beckham. A Look At 15 Of The Most Anticipated Super Bowl XLVI Commercials.

The practice of leaking Super Bowl spots before the actual Game Day is growing. And at about $3.5 million dollars a spot, it's no wonder big name brands are trying to get as much bang for their buck as possible.

Automotive companies in particular are sharing their spots on YouTube, Facebook and with bloggers and PR companies. Some with extended versions, others with a teaser.

For those who watch the Super Bowl more for the commercials than the actual sport, this may alleviate the need to tune into the game all together, a bad thing for network tv. For those who like to watch the spots multiple times, it's good for the companies.

Either way, here's a bunch of tv spots (and a few teasers) that will be airing on February 5th's 46th Super Bowl. References to 20+ year old movies and tv shows like Star Wars, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Seinfeld seem to hint at the age of the creatives behind the ads.

Acura NSX "Transactions" with Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is so excited about the new Acura NSX that he will stop at nothing to acquire the very first one. Check out the extended version of Acura's big game commercial:



Honda "Matthew's Day Off" extended version
Honda’s ad already sparked mass conversation thanks to last Thursday’s teaser. The commercial, directed by Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover, Due Date, etc.), features Matthew Broderick playing himself in a grown-up version of his celebrated role as Ferris Bueller alongside the all-new 2012 CR-V. Using themes from the original film to bring Honda’s “Leap List” campaign to life, the spot is meant to reinforce how the CR-V helps consumers conquer their aspirations before life’s next big phase.

True fans may also spot dozens of “Easter Eggs” hidden in the commercial that pay homage to the original film; fans are encouraged to join the conversation at Facebook.com/HondaCRV.



Volkswagon "The Bark Side"
A canine chorus barks a familiar tune. Keep an eye out for our 2012 Game Day commercial—it will all make sense. Love Star Wars and Volkswagen? You'll love this.



Chevy Sonic "Stunt Anthem"
The all-new Chevy Sonic is up for adventure. Watch Sonic's first time skydiving, bungee jumping, kick flipping, and performing with OK GO. 100% real stunts. For behind-the-scenes content, check out http://letsdothis.com/stunts



Chevy "OK Go -- White Knuckles" Talented Dogs


Chevy "Happy Grad"
Watch Zack Borst's winning entry to Chevrolet's Route66 competition. This Chevy ad will appear during Super Bowl XLVI. Filmed by Borst and company in four hours "Happy Grad" beat out 198 other video submissions and 400 scripts in the contest. Check out more about Chevy and Super Bowl XLVI at http://www.chevrolet.com/culture.



Audi "Vampire Party"
See the new Audi commercial and find out what happens when an Audi S7 shows up at a party full of vampires.



Toyota "Reinvented"
The brand's 60-second long spot is called “Reinvented” and continues the same theme as the first ads of the 2012 Camry last year, albeit with a more cheeky and humorous tone.
“Reinvention is a powerful idea and one we took to heart when we redesigned America’s most popular car with the launch of the 2012 Camry and elevated it above the competition,” said Bill Fay, group vice president of marketing at Toyota USA.

“The Super Bowl provides a forum to really drive home the reinvention message of the seventh-generation Camry, using humor to resonate with the American public," he added.
The “Reinvented” spot will be one of two 30-second commercials Toyota will be airing during the game on February 5.



Suzuki "Sled"
American Suzuki Motor Corporation will once again advertise during the Super Bowl with an all-new television commercial called "Sled", which highlights the automaker's all-wheel-drive 2012 Suzuki Kizashi sport sedan, which also starred in the company's first-ever Super Bowl ad -- entitled "Wicked Weather" -- during last year's big game.



KIA "Drive The Dream" Teaser
At last year's game, Kia took on the time traveling theme to show off its new Optima sedan. For this year's commercial, the South Korean automaker has chosen the topic of dreams to introduce the new 2012 Optima Limited edition.

Titled "Drive the Dream" and directed once again by Noam Murro who is helming the upcoming 300 spin-off, "300: Battle of Artemisia", the new 60-second commercial is set to air during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.

“After working with Kia for the Super Bowl last year I was drawn to work with the fast-growing brand again by the idea of exploring people’s ultimate fantasies in a fun and lighthearted way, and I am certain we have created a spot people will be talking about after the game,” said Murro.

The new ad brings together several stars including Victoria’s Secret model Angel Adriana Lima, the Mötley Crüe, mixed martial arts champion Chuck Liddell and champion bull rider Judd Leffer.

“Mötley Crüe had a blast doing the Kia commercial,” said the group's bassist Nikki Sixx. “A hot model, a fast car, a pro fighter, pyrotechnics and rock n' roll...What's not to love?”

Kia said that the the complete “Drive the Dream” ad will make its premiere on February 2 on more than 18,000 movie screens across the country. The company also released a teaser of the ad, which you can watch below.



Lexus Teaser
The Lexus Super Bowl 2012 Ad will promote the new 2013 Lexus GS 350. It is the first ever Super Bowl Ad for Lexus.



Bridgestone "Time to Perform" Teaser
"Bridgestone Americas was one of the first companies to begin offering highly produced and entertaining teasers ahead of our Super Bowl commercials when we began doing so four years ago," said Philip Dobbs, Chief Marketing Officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. "Now it has become standard practice for Super Bowl advertisers to produce really creative and suspenseful teasers. This year's sneak peak reveals how the Bridgestone brand plans to change the world of sports with its new line of tire technology-infused performance balls (and puck) that were introduced in the first "Press Conference‟ TV spot of the campaign.

Bridgestone "Time To Perform"


Bridgestone "Press Conference"


Skechers "Mr. Quiggly" Teaser
Kim Kardashian is replaced by a french bulldog named Mr. Quiggly in Skechers GOrun 2012 Big Game Commercial.



H&M David Beckham Bodywear Collection Teaser:
H&M teases their new commercial for David Beckham Bodywear in Super Bowl XLVI. In the spot he is sporting various pieces from the new collection including the briefs (USD 12.95) and trunks (USD 14.95). The ad will air during the 2nd quarter of the Super Bowl.



Special thanks to SupercarHall for some of the additional info

The 43rd Superbowl: Info, Blogs, Banned Commercials and More

Today is the longstanding, forty-three years to be exact, tradition of watching two US football teams battle it out in the Superbowl. A tradition that has become almost more about the tv commercials, marketing and now, micro sites and sneak peeks, than about the game itself.

The event:


This year, the event takes place in Tampa, Florida and features the Pittsburgh Steelers playing against the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers could potentially take home their 6th Vince Lombardi trophy and the Cardinals, their first. Okay, enough about the sport. LOL.

The entertainment:
Once upon a time people sat riveted to the halftime show, then competing tv channels started putting on their own halftime shows; the Bud bowl, the Victoria Secret Lingerie shows, even the Simpsons shows. This year, there are countless options on the internet featuring clever and co-op shows of their own.



The actual NFL halftime show will feature Bruce Springsteen and The E Street band. But, if you're not a big Bruce fan, you've got some fun alternative ways to spend that time (and for those who hate sports, and prefer sci-fi, chick flicks or reality tv, there's a list of counter programming for you at the end of this post).



Pepsi (a major sponsor of this year's game) has its own youtube channel with a series of hilarious videos that are incredibly entertaining-- featuring Will Arnett -- and you even have the option to upload your own.


Above: Will Arnett hosts his own hilarious Superbowl Party, courtesy of Pepsi and TBWA Chiat Day.

If you don't want to go to youtube, you can see the videos here as well on Pepsi's refresh everything site.

The Commercials:
update: if you miss any, you can see them all here and rate them yourself.

This year, due to the explosion of social media and online promotions, most of the eagerly anticipated tv commercials have been 'leaked'. So much so that Adweek even has a preview page.

Already enjoyed by tons of fans has been the newest Pedigree commercial from TWBA Chiat Day which will air on today's game, featuring a view of the world if you opted for wild animals as pets in lieu of the good ol' domestic dog.




Especially nice, is that for each Pedigree video viewed, a bowl of dog food is given to a shelter, so be sure to watch them and help a dog!



a supplemental video:




There are more fun supplemental videos of the Pedigree spot that you can view here.

SB XLIII is bringing back some fan faves including commercials featuring E*Trade's "Talking Baby," Budweiser's Clydesdales (this time joined in the A-B stable by late-night host Conan O'Brien in an ad for Bud Light). And this year, Coke and Pepsi battle it out to prove which can create the happiest, most 'optimistic' ads.

Another spot which leaked and has fast become a favorite is this Career Builder spot:


and a fun spot for GoDaddy.com featuring Danica Patrick:



Why not have other people do the work for you?


Doritos "Crash the Superbowl" encouraged users to upload their own commercials, a rapidly growing trend. The contest is now over, and you'll see the winning spot air on the game today. The contest, which asked for user generated videos, awards the winning spot $100,000.00 and it will air during today's game.

You can view top 5 finalists at this online gallery.



We can even view ads that have been 'banned' from this years' Superbowl (rejected due to broadcast standards):

The much talked about PETA ad deemed too risqué for tv viewing:


and a behind the scenes.making of video of the Peta spot:


and the 2008 GoDaddy "Beaver" spot with Danica that didn't air:


Live Blogging and Twitter Feeds
And, of course, there will be lots of 'live' blogging'. You can even follow live tweets during the game. As of 9am west coast time this morning , the live NFL twitter feed had almost 2,500 followers.

There have been especially designed micro sites, packaging, music videos, youtube channels, ring tones, computer wallpaper, widgets, avatars and more. A virtual (literally and figuratively) superbowl blitz.

the NFL's live twitter feed

The NFL Superbowl Blog


Hilarious Superbowl Videos featuring Will Arnett for Pepsi.


Rihanna's exclusive Pepsi Superbowl Smash video can be seen here.


Adweek's superbowl site and coverage

A site that claims to be the oldest superbowl 'ads' site on the web.

And for those of you who don't like sports at all, here's a list of alternative programming for you, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly:

ABC: Wipeout Bowl I: Cheerleaders vs. Couch Potatoes (airing at halftime, and again immediately after the game): The title says it all. As do the results of an EW.com poll showing that 67 percent of our readers plan on sticking with Springsteen and The Office, which will feature guest stars Jack Black and Jessica Alba. (Twenty-four percent said they'd watch Wipeout at halftime and The Office post-game. Six percent said they'd watch Wipeout whenever possible. Only three percent said they'd watch Springsteen at halftime and Wipeout after.)

Animal Planet: Puppy Bowl V (on repeat, from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m.): Pepper the Parrot performs the anthem; kittens handle halftime, and a Chinese Crested 'Naked' dog streaks.

A&E: The Sopranos (noon until 4 a.m.)

BBC America: Doctor Who (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Bravo: Law & Order: Criminal Intent (6 p.m. to 2 a.m.)

CMT: Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Daddy and Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy (2 p.m to 10 p.m.)

Discovery: MythBusters (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Jesus: The Complete Story (a three-part special, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.): I just like that juxtaposition.

DIY: Bathroom Renovations and Bathtastic! (7 a.m. to 3 a.m.)

FX: Chick flicks (Little Black Book, 2 p.m.; Maid in Manhattan, 4:30 p.m.; 13 Going on 30, 6:30 p.m.; The Devil Wears Prada, 8:30 p.m.)

Hallmark: I Love Lucy (8:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.)

Oxygen: America's Next Top Model (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.)

Sci Fi: Ghost Hunters International and Ghost Hunters (9 a.m. to 1 a.m.)

Spike: CSI (noon to 4 a.m.)

SPEED: Pimp My Ride (1 p.m. to 3 a.m.)

Style: Clean House (noon to 3 a.m.)

TBS: Chick Flicks (Clueless, 11:30 a.m.; My Best Friend's Wedding, 1:30 p.m.; Failure to Launch, 3:30 p.m.; What Women Want, 5:30 p.m.; My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 8 p.m.)

TLC: Dateline: Real Life Mysteries (1 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and sex documentaries (Forbidden Love: Polygamy, 7 p.m.; My Husbands Three Wives, 8 p.m.; Anatomy of Sex, 9 p.m.; Mother Knows Sex, 10 p.m.)

TNT: The Closer (noon to 11 p.m.)

USA: House (11 a.m. to 4 a.m.).

And, finally, last year I blogged about all the past Superbowl rings (some serious bling):


Check out the past Super Bowl bling here.