Budweiser's Still Got Super Bowl Game

Rolling along with the Budwesier Super Bowl commercial theme, I wanted to take a little time to talk about another commercial done by Budweiser that I enjoyed.  Super Bowl XLVI was the most watched program in United States history.  Over 111 million Americans tuned into the highly anticipated rematch between Tom Brady and Eli Manning (USA Today).  Budweiser capitalized on it.  I know the Super Bowl is over 7 months old, but I didn't have a blog to talk about it 7 months ago so give me the chance to praise Budweisers ad "Eternal Optimism" now.

I think this was the best commercial of last year's Super Bowl.  Clint Eastwood's Chrysler commercial was pretty boss, but I think Enternal Optimism was the most thought out and strategic advertisememt of the lot.  The uplifting spirit of the commercial resonates with the audience in every generation.  How hard is that?  Pretty damn hard.

The commercial goes through decades of triumph and good times in American history, and surrounds the inspiring atmosphere with Budweiser's name.  I think what Budweiser was trying to tell through the commercial is that America has been through tough times before, but we always come out on top, and when we do, the Budweiser brand is there during the celebration.  The timing of the commercial is impeccable.  The economy in the America had been struggling for over 3 years, people were starting to get a little restless when thinking about the future.  Budweiser aired the ad with the intent to show the audience that even though the present might be a little tough, America is going to fight through it and when we do and its time to celebrate our great triumph Budweiser will be there, as it has been for over 90 years. 

The ad was moving for Americans of all ages.  It starts with clip of a post prohibiton celebration, and touches on a post World War celebration, an image of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, then shows our triumphant victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics, and finishes with more of a rave-like party scene accompanied by Budweiser.  It feels good as an American to watch the ad, and it makes you want to buy Budweiser.  It shows they have been the American beer through think and thin and when this recession ends, then more good times are waiting with Budweiser.  Awesome Ad.

Check it out here.

Sources:
USA Today

An Early Ad That Resonated

Bud-wei-ser.  A three syllable sentence that has resonated with me for over 15 years.  Without looking it up, I couldn't for the life of me tell you what two teams were playing in what Super Bowl.  But I can tell you the first advertisement I truely remember seeing was the Budweiser three frog Super Bowl commercial when each of them were able to mutter a syllable of the Budweiser name.  I know, pretty big throwback right?  But when I was laying around really concentrating to remember what the first ad I ever saw was, this one reached the furthest back.  I took the liberty upon myself to look it up, and that commercial aired during Super Bowl XXIX.  As it turns out, it was one of the most historic Super Bowls of all time....figures.  Steve Young threw a record 6 touchdown passes and after the 49ers won, they became the first franchise to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy 5 times.  However, I was only 6 at the time, so I can't blame myself for not remembering the game.  It is pretty stunning, however, that I can remember one of the ads during the game. 

The commercial is pretty basic in itself, theres a link on the bottom to check it out.  But the only words spoken during the commercial are "Budweiser".  Breaking down why I think it had an impact on myself and why I have remembered it all these years, there are a couple reasons that jump out.  Right off the bat, this commercial aired during a Super Bowl around the age where I really started getting into sports.  I can remember sitting around with my dad and his friends wacthing football and having a great time even as a kid, so clearly those memories are still pretty concrete.  Also the commercial itself was a great hit.  I can remeber after the game people going around trying to mimic the frogs from the ad for weeks.  The simplicity of the ad is another reason the frogs commercial has been one of my all time favorites.  No actors were hired, it wasn;t trying to be over the top funny, it jsut wanted to stick to people, and it clearly did. 

I have to applaud Budweiser's marketing effort through sports, and especially the National Football League.  They got me early.  To the day Budweiser is the beer is prefer when watching either the Hokies on Friday, or the Jets on Sunday (as rough as it is).  Please check out the commercial below, if you haven't seen the ad.

Description of What to Come

My name is Sean O'Dea.  I am a senior at Virginia Tech studying in Pamplin's College of Business, pursuing a degree in Marketing.  I was born and rasied in Connecticut, a little less than an hour outside New York City.  A few of my hobbies and interests are sports (especially the New York Yankees and Jets), food, good music, and hanging out with my friends.  Pretty standard stuff.

Over the course of the school semester I will use this blog to post about many aspects of advertising including past history, future direction, and everything in between.  This blog will mostly consist of scheduled assignments for my Advertising course, but I will also include posts when I feel inclined to express myself about something that has been on my mind (of course with the primary basis on advertising and/or marketing).

This is my first experience using a blog, and I look forward to seeing how I progress my writing style and insights over the course of a the next few months.