Here are the ads I watched in the fourth quarter (or watched via video sites later - yes, I did have to watch the end of that great game), with my grade and comments.
- Career Builder (Wish Upon a Star): Grade B+ Much better than the gross-out heart ad. Taps into that 'dream of escaping' job misery.
- SuperBowl Promo (Chester Pitts story): Grade A A real life story told exceptionally well. Inspirational, and funny.
- Sunsilk (Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Shakira): Grade B Not aimed at me. But seemed effective, and don't the ladies watching the game deserve some ads aimed specifically for them??
- Coke (dueling Parade balloons): Grade A This one was exceptional. And you gotta love Charlie Brown coming out on top in the end. Go Chuck!
- Coke (Political, Carville and Frist): Grade B- Timely with all the politics in the news. But a better match would've been Ann Coulter, or Karl Rove, to play opposite James Carville. Frist? Didn't work.
- eTrade (Baby and clown): Grade A- OK, this baby spot worked. Almost peed my pants when the baby said he used extra 'coin' to rent a clown, but "underestimated the creepiness". Incredibly hip and well written, even if the use-a-talking-baby schtick is worn.
- Taco Bell (Hola, Fiesta Platters): Grade B Pretty entertaining. And yes, I wanted to order some Taco Bell after watching the ad. Isn't that what's it all about?
- Gatorade (man's best friend): Grade C- Only reason it gets a mid level grade is because it has a great black lab. I LOVE dogs, but what the heck is this ad doing? Confusing. Is the dog slurping Gatorade? Or are we being asked to decide which is man's best friend, dog or Gatorade? Slobbering dog does not make me want to purchase Gatorade.
- Semi Pro/Bud Light (Will Ferrell as Jackie Moon for Bud Light): Grade A- Just made me laugh. And creative to have the Semi Pro comedy movie trailor followed by an ad for Bud Light featuring the movie's main character.
- Victoria's Secret (In the Mood): Grade B Not a big Vic Secret guy. But great music, and as far as these ads go, almost wholesome. Well, almost.
- Pepsi Amp (jumper cables guy): Grade D- Yikes. Fat disgusting tow truck guy attaches jumper cables to his nipples, and drinks Amp to start ladies car. Don't even know where to begin ripping this idea.
