Super Bowl ads that will touch your heart or make you smile

I can’t remember a year when I’ve seen so many Super Bowl ads released online in advance of the big day.

You’ve likely seen many of them by now – the car commercials, the Doritos ads, and we’ve of course seen the Cheerios and SodaStream ads in the midst of other stories.

Some of the ads will air before the kickoff, some during, and there are many floating around that won’t necessarily air during the game but are getting plenty of attention.  I thought for a change of pace I’d grab a few of the more heartwarming or inspiring ads for a post today, with links to some more complete lists at the end.

The first, from Budweiser, is probably my favorite.  It also comes with this short documentary on how the ad came to be, and the campaign utilizes a hashtag – #salute.  Budweiser says, “It’s also a thank you to all of our veterans and active duty troops.”  As for the ad itself, its title sets it up for you:

Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial — “A Hero’s Welcome”

It’s another Budweiser ad, but it’s just too sweet not to include.

Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial — “Puppy Love”

 

Short and sweet: The Peanuts gang has been with MetLife for some time but this year, they offer a patriotic nod – Peanuts style – to our national anthem.

MetLife: “National Anthem with Peanuts”

 

This struggling high school football player suddenly scores his touchdown, but he keeps on running until he gets to a certain bigger stadium

Coca-Cola – “Going All The Way”

 

Maybe not as much touching as it will just make you smile: In a more comprehensive ad campaign, Pepsi actually surprised an entire town when it brought a halftime show to Milligan, Nebraska (what Pepsi says is the halfway point of America).  I wondered what the reaction from the town was with so much commotion rolling in, but it seems as though most were happy to participate?

Pepsi #Halftime: “America with Lee Brice”

See lists of more ads at Mashable and CBS News.

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While this one was already released as its own ad before the Super Bowl, it’s got such an inspiring story around it that I wanted to include it here anyway.  It’s also got a Super Bowl story behind it, in more ways than one.

Duracell: Trust Your Power – NFL’s Derrick Coleman, Seattle Seahawks

(Featured image: Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial — “A Hero’s Welcome” video)

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