Superbowl ads, the serious side

People watch the US Superbowl for three reasons: the sporting event for American football fans, but for the rest of us it is the halftime show and the TV commercials that are the main attractions. Today let's looks at some surprisingly serious commercials.

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Superbowl ads, the serious side

People watch the US Superbowl for three reasons. For American football fans, the match between the two best professional teams is the main focus, but for the rest of us it is the halftime show and the TV commercials that are the main attractions. We looked at the halftime show earlier this week (http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/464208/kate-perry-halftime-show-wows-superbowl-fans). Today, let's take a quick look at some of the more interesting commercials.

Given the huge television audience, advertisers are willing to spend a small fortune to show off their products or reinforce their brands. This year, a 30 second commercial went for up to 4.5 million dollars (147 milllion baht), not to mention production costs. Thus, every year, you can expect something very special.

This year, many commercials had surprisingly serious themes. They were not selling products directly, but they were trying to create a favourable corporate image.

Destroying a stereotype

The famous multinational corporation Procter and Gamble sells many women's products, including Always feminine hygiene products. It's Superbowl ad was obviously not a direct product advertisement, but is message helps create a strong, positive image for the brand, showing that popular stereotypes of girls being awkward and weak are not reality.

Show me what it looks like to run like a girl.

Show me what it looks like to fight like a girl.

Now throw like a girl.

Aww.

So do you think you just insulted your sister?

No, I mean, yeah, I insulted girls but not my sister.

My name is Dakota and I'm ten years old.

Show me what it looks like to run like a girl.

Throw like a girl.

What does it mean to you when I say "run like a girl"

"It means run as fast as you can."

An attack on hate

The Coca Cola corporation went for a different type of image-building, tackling one of the big issues with social media use. Through well-known race-car driver Danica Patrick, its ad asks people to think before posting negative or hate-filled messages.

I haven't really thought of myself as a girl in the sport. Part of the reason where I got to where I am today is just really about being the best driver, not the best girl.

I feel a responsibility to be a good role model. Social media for me started off with twitter and I would think that I was pretty reluctant, but I said I would do it if I could do it my own way and if it could be real and authentic. It's very easy when something good happens to go look at social media and see what everybody's saying and feel good about yourself, but then when you do that when something bad happens, it makes you feel bad.

There's a lot of people that want to bring you down, but I would say that negative comments happen to everybody. It is the easiest platform in the world for people to say mean things and not have to answer to anybody.

I think the internet can be a place for positive change just as much as it is for negative. The negative stuff just gets more attention than a really inspiring story or just some little positive thing that somebody did.

Just say something nice to somebody everyday. Make somebody feel good and until you do it you don't really know how good that makes you feel too.

Say "no more" to domestic violence

The Superbowl, of course, is the championship game of the professional National Football League (NFL). The NFL itself has been the subject of many attacks because of domestic violence charges against some of its most famous players. This ad is intended to show that the league cares very much about domestic violence.

At the beginning it seems like the caller has mistakeningly contacted an emergency hotline to order a pizza, but the hotline operator soon realises something is really wrong.

901 operator 901, where's the emergency.

127 Dinner

OK, what's going on there?

I'd like to order a pizza for delivery.

Mam, you've reached 901, this is an emergency line

I'd like large with half pepperoni and half mushrooms.

You know you've called 901. This is an emergency line.

Do you know how long it will be?

OK, mam, is everything OK over there? Do you have an emergency or not?

Yes.

And you're unable to talk because...

Right, right

OK, is there someone in the room with you? Just say yes or no.

Yes.

OK, it looks like I have an officer about a mile from your location. Are there any weapons in your house?

No.

Can you stay on the phone with me?

No, please send somebody.

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