The annual Super Bowl spectacle is as much about the commercials as it is about the game itself. This year, advertisers pulled out all the stops, delivering a mix of humor, emotion, and star power. Our team sifted through the noise to bring you our take on some of the most memorable ads from Super Bowl LIX, highlighting the hits, misses, and everything in between.
Duracell | Power Boost Ingredients
I really loved this commercial. It was remarkably timely, appearing shortly after my viewers and I discussed Tom Brady’s seemingly robotic and almost “NPC-like” demeanor. The ad cleverly connected this observation to the Super Bowl event itself. The commercial’s understated approach, almost appearing organic rather than overtly promotional, was highly effective. It generated genuine laughter from our group without resorting to excessive or forced humor, a common tactic in today’s oversaturated space.
Squarespace | A Tale As Old As Websites
Squarespace’s Super Bowl ad featuring Barry Keoghan, while employing a well-known Academy Award-nominated actor, missed the mark for me. The concept of showcasing how Squarespace can empower people outside of tech-savvy circles, particularly in this case in rural Ireland, has potential. However, the execution, with Keoghan seemingly muttering “Squarespace” (the strong accent may to be blame) while tossing computers, left some viewers confused. The question “What is he saying?” from someone in my company highlights this issue.
While I immediately recognized the brand, the ad’s core message seemed lost on some – particularly those it was trying to engage with. The extended version might have provided better context, but the aired version felt underwhelming.
Poppi | Soda Thoughts
Poppi’s Super Bowl commercial slightly side-stepped the trend of celebrity-heavy ads by effectively leveraging internet influencers like Alix Earle, Jake Shane, and Rob Rausch – something I am actually surprised we haven’t seen more of. The ad’s concept, addressing the desire for a guilt-free soda alternative, was really relatable and connected well with the direct benefits of their product.
However, upon further review, the very Gen Z audience Poppi was likely targeting may not be as impressed as anticipated. The brand faces criticism for its marketing strategies, particularly regarding influencer collaborations and vending machine antics. This suggests a potential misstep, as authenticity is a paramount concern for this generation.
Zeam | Jingle
This Zeam ad is fun and a top pick for 2025. At first, it seems like a typical commercial, but it starts poking fun at advertising tropes like celebrity cameos and catchy jingles. It also does a great job of illustrating what “writer’s block” feels like in a creative setting while managing to tie everything together at the very end. Overall, the execution is clever, well-shot, well-edited, and doesn’t overstay its welcome, making it an engaging and effective ad.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses | Hey Meta, Who Eats Art?
On the other hand, this ad completely falls flat. It relies on a years-old viral art piece for the setup and joke, features pointless celebrity cameos, and fails to showcase how the Meta glasses are actually useful in everyday life. A smartphone (something everyone already owns) can do everything these glasses can and more. Overall, it feels like the ad is banking on star power and the brand’s ability to throw big money at a Super Bowl spot rather than making a compelling case for the product itself – something we continue to see time and time again.
Google Pixel 9 | Dream Job
This was my favorite Super Bowl LIX commercial — maybe I was in the mood for something that tugs at the heart strings! I thought this commercial was a well-executed concept on how you can leverage AI on the new Google Pixel device to help you acquire your “Dream Job”, yet the commercial still brought a “human element” to the forefront with a clever concept to lead the storytelling. Over the past few years, the subject of “AI” has been intimidating to many, so I thought this advertisement was a nice way of showcasing the benefits of AI tools and devices, but with an approachable concept.
Mountain Dew Baja Blast | Kiss From A Lime
One of the more bizarre commercials this year in my opinion was “Kiss From A Lime” featuring Seal singing as an actual seal! There are a couple of references at the end of the commercial about how “none of this makes sense”, which makes it clear that it’s an eccentric concept. However, it definitely has people talking, which reminds me of a similar experience after Mountain Dew’s “Puppy Monkey Baby” Super Bowl commercial aired in 2016.