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2023 Super Bowl Commercials: The Winning & Losing Strategies

Stephanie Kaewell • Feb 14, 2023

2023 Super Bowl Commercials: The Winning & Losing Strategies


The reports are in, and Super Bowl 2023 was one of the most watched events of all time. However, most can attribute that not to the popularity of the NFL...but to the star-studded commercials and half-time performances. Companies go all out to get their brand not only in front of this massive audience but going viral on Twitter, stitched on TikTok, and a driver of conversation at work the next day.


But not every commercial was a winner! We're running through some of our favorites and why it was a solid strategy for them.


Strategy #1: Strong Storytelling

Our favorite commercial was, by far, “Forever” The Farmer's Dog. Our Account Director has a chocolate lab just like the one in the commercial…so we may be biased. But the story of the owner and dog playing over time is relatable and heartwarming. After all, we all want what's best for our dogs. 


Another winner was the
Kia Telluride X-Pro, “Binky Dad.” A tale as old as time about a father who forgets the binky and races across varied terrain only to bring back the wrong binky. It's cute, fun, and feels like a family story we've all resonated with. Bonus points for using the Rocky theme...all the Philly fans appreciated that. 


Hate it or love it, the Jesus ads told a story! Our world has become highly controversial, and the
“Love, Your Enemies” spot reminded us that we are all loved and should aspire to love our enemies. 


One brand attempted a storytelling appeal, but it flopped. In the
“Inch by Inch,” commercial for Remy Martin, Serena Williams powerfully gives the locker room speech from Any Given Sunday that felt impactful and emotional, only to fall flat when we found out it was for Remy Martin. It was a story with no ending that left us all confused.

Strategy #2: Nostalgia

That wistful appreciation of the past was a common theme this year, with many references and music from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Jeep’s “Electric Boogie” won with this strategy by using the 'Electric Slide' song to highlight the adventures Jeep can take you on in their new EVs. 


If you were a fan of Breaking Bad, then this Popcorners’ “Breaking Good” commercial probably hooked you. It felt like a scene from the show and immediately transported us back into the desert. We especially love how they worked in the lines for Tuco to demand a seventh flavor, really highlighting the product.

 

Last but not least, T-Mobile’s “New Year. New Neighbor” combined John Travolta with new lyrics to "Summer Nights" but with the cast of Scrubs. A weird combination, but it worked with the cross-generational audience.

Strategy #3: Be Yourself


The coffee shop battle between Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks has been interesting over the past few years. But this Dunkin’ Drive Thru Starting Ben Affleck commercial is really building on a brand persona that only a true Bostontonian could give you. The accents, the selfies, and the wife that crashed your day at work all help further cement the idea that Dunkin' Donuts is uniquely and unapologetically themselves. 


M&M’s seems to be in a weird place right now, and it shows. Since they've abandoned their classic M&M’s colored candy characters, it feels like they've lost their identity. Their Super Bowl commercial promoting clam flavored M&Ms had us shaking our heads and thinking, WTF?

Strategy #4: Sell the Benefits

Sometimes selling the benefits could be more exciting, but Google Pixel pulled it off nicely with their #FixedonPixel ads. It highlights real problems that almost every person has experienced. An ugly sign is in the background, or someone photobombs an otherwise lovely photo. But the moment has passed, and you want to cherish that moment. You can fix it with the Google Pixel! The photo came out blurry. You can fix it with Google Pixel! 


New to Super Bowl commercials, beauty brand, e.l.f. (eyes lips face) took an exaggerated approach to sell the grippy qualities of the
e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer with everything literally sticking to Jennifer Coolidge. The commercial was simply titled “Sticky,” and it was cute, fun, and truly sold the benefit!


Other Things We Noticed

Tubi made all of us panic, thinking someone sat on the remote, a real-life experience that has happened to us all. But by the time people realized it was a commercial, it left a bad taste in people's mouths and didn't create any appeal to watch Tubi in the future. As we like to say to our clients, “When you confuse, you lose.” So even though it went viral, it didn’t help build brand equity or promote their streaming services positively.


Other noticeable trends in commercials this year. There were no crypto ads which was a significant change from last year. There were 6+ movie trailers in its place, making us think movie theaters will have a big comeback this year. We also saw some celebrity/franchise dumping in commercials for Paramount, Disney, and Netflix; hoping you find something in the ad to relate to. In our opinion, it wasn't a flop, but it wasn't a great strategy.


Overall, our team thought the Super Bowl was an entertaining one! With a close football game, a ground-breaking halftime show, and some new commercials, it’s no wonder this was one of the most-watched shows of all time!

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According to peer-review website and software marketplace G2, about 53% of marketers spend at least half their budgets on lead generation. Without the right small business marketing tips, however, you could waste that budget on ineffective strategies. Instead, consider partnering with our experienced advertising agency. Working with an experienced team can ensure your next campaign's success. You can reach new customers, boost your ROI, and accomplish lasting growth. Not convinced? Read on to discover the benefits of advertising agencies before deciding. Accomplish Specific Goals The best advertising agencies will develop personalized solutions based on your business goals. For example, perhaps you're prioritizing: Brand awareness and recognition Brand trust and loyalty Website traffic Credibility Lead generation Our team will help you develop campaigns customized with your goals in mind. We'll track key performance indicators to ensure you're accomplishing distinct goals. We'll develop a comprehensive strategy, allowing you to reach consumers on different channels. These strategies may include: Content marketing Website design and development Search engine optimization (SEO) Paid advertising Social media marketing Email marketing Together, these strategies will allow you to direct consumers through the buyer's journey. You can show consumers the benefits of choosing your brand before winning their business. Using a comprehensive digital marketing strategy will enable brand awareness to grow. According to market insight company Exploding Topics, around four in five consumers need to trust a brand before buying from it. Generating brand trust can lead to more sales and long-term customers. Your cost-per-acquisition will decline as repeat customers keep shopping. At the same time, your ROI will soar. In fact, consumers are more than twice as likely to buy first, stay loyal, and advocate for brands they trust. Generating brand trust can increase word-of-mouth marketing, allowing you to reach new customers. If you're struggling to accomplish business and marketing goals, you'll waste time and money on ineffective campaigns. Before that happens, consult our experienced advertising team. You can use our proven methods to ensure your success. Reach Your Target Audience To experience business growth, you need to find and appeal to your target audience. Relying on local business advertising solutions can help you reach these customers. Your advertising team will personalize your marketing campaigns to appeal to a specific audience. About 90% of marketers say personalization triggers a measurable lift in business results ( software review platform Business2Community ). Another 98% say personalization advances customer relationships. Building strong connections with customers can lead to brand loyalty and increased sales. Your advertising team will gather audience research to specify your target audience. We'll consider demographic and psychographic information like: Age Gender Location Salary Marital status Buying behaviors Interests Hobbies Online behaviors Pain points Recognizing the consumer's pain points will allow you to empathize with their needs. You can forge lasting connections with customers to build your audience base. Specifying your target audience will lead to more successful campaigns. You can reach consumers who want and need your offerings to generate more leads. Your ROI will improve with targeted, personalized advertising. Remain Competitive Working with our experienced advertising team allows small businesses to compete with big corporations. Our expertise will ensure you don't make costly mistakes while executing advertising campaigns. Instead, you'll gain access to our professional tools and resources. Purchasing these tools yourself (tools you may only use once) isn't cost-effective. It can also take time to use them effectively. For example, perhaps you want to advertise using Google Ads or Facebook Ads. It can take time to learn how to navigate these platforms. As you learn the ropes, you may rely on trial and error while developing your campaigns. This tactic can waste valuable advertising dollars while costing you potential customers. Instead, work with an experienced advertising team that understands your industry. We'll recognize opportunities your competitors have neglected. Relying on our expertise will help you gain a competitive advantage. Ongoing AttentionHiring an advertising agency ensures your campaigns receive ongoing attention. Otherwise, you may not recognize you're wasting money on faulty: Targeting parameters Advertising messages Display ad imagery Keeping an eye on your campaigns will ensure you're not overspending or neglecting audience groups. If there's an issue, our advertising team will make immediate changes to your campaign. This ensures you don't blow through your advertising budget prematurely. It can take time to learn how to analyze data from your campaigns to make informed changes. Our advertising team will review the data to recognize trends. Once we recognize which tactics generate results, we can adjust your campaigns to improve your ROI. Meanwhile, you won't have to spread yourself thin by checking on your campaigns. Instead, you can keep your focus where it belongs: on your budding business. Cost-Effective Advertising Methods If you're new to digital advertising, it may take time before you recognize which methods work and which are wasting your time. Rely on our advertising team's expertise instead. We'll apply proven, cost-effective advertising methods to boost your ROI. Your advertising team can use A/B testing to determine what language or imagery best appeals to your target audience. We'll target different groups and keywords to reach your ideal customers. Our proven strategies can ensure your business experiences lasting growth. Meanwhile, you can save valuable time by reaching customers immediately. The sooner you reach your target audience, the sooner your campaigns will generate results. You can stop wasting time and money on ineffective strategies with help from an experienced advertising team. As we help you expand your reach online, you can grow your business and start reaching new customers. Hire Our Advertising Agency Today To recap, what are the benefits of advertising agencies? Our experienced team can set your business up for success. Partnering with an advertising agency will ensure you generate brand awareness, reach customers, and experience long-term growth. Want to leverage local business advertising solutions to grow your business? At Bolt Marketing, we provide agency-quality services to small business owners at rates they can afford. Our all-in-one digital marketing agency can push your business forward. Trust our local expertise, proven results, and personalized approach.  Contact us now to schedule a call to discuss your goals!
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If you're wondering whether you should hire a local marketing agency, the answer is yes! Don't think it's that simple? Let's consider the alternatives! Option #1 : you go without marketing. This isn't a viable course of action, and it will simply put your business on the fast track to failure . After all, if it worked, everyone would do it. Option #2 : you hire someone to take care of your marketing needs in-house. To an inexperienced entrepreneur, this may seem like the most cost-effective approach. In reality, it's anything but, and this article will explain why. Option #3: you hire a big, out-of-town marketing conglomerate. Though they have an impressive list of clients, they won't have their hand on the pulse of your local area. And if that's the case, are they worth the money? Still not sure hiring a local agency is your best bet? Read on for a list of key advantages of teaming up with a local marketer! Local Marketing Is Cost-Effective When you're starting out, the costs of outsourcing your marketing can seem high. As a result, many businesses try to manage their marketing in-house. As we mentioned above, this may not be as profitable as you think. For starters, you'll need to invest in: Talent recruitment Software expenses Employee training Long-term scalability All these costs are non-negotiable and can add up quickly. On top of that, you'll still need to pay your employees their actual wages and benefits. Unless you already have marketing experts on your team, the math is unlikely to work out. If you hire a local marketing agency, none of the above costs will apply. What's more, you can only pay for the services you need. For instance, you may hire a marketer for a particular function ( such as SEO ) or a specific campaign. Another way to save money is to negotiate payment terms that fit your needs. Your local firm may allow you to pay by the hour or even in kind. Many of them also allow you to put your marketing on hold if you hit a slow period. You'll Get More Attention One of the biggest local marketing benefits is that you'll get personal attention. With national marketing firms, this is often not the case. Why is this important? Simple: running a business is all about building relationships , and that includes marketing. When you have a close connection with a local marketer, it's much easier to let them know what you're looking for. Smaller agencies are also better at pivoting when necessary. For example, if your clients don't like a recent ad campaign, you'll need to find a quick way to regroup. A local agency should be readily available and able to change things on the fly. A smaller marketing agency also has less overhead. This gives them an opportunity to go with some bold and creative ideas. Oftentimes, that's exactly what you need to separate yourself from your local competitors. In the ideal scenario, you and your business marketing partner would grow together. Instead of hiring a new agency for every campaign, you'll always have a reliable partner. This will make it easier to branch out into other markets. Local Agencies Know Your Market Are your local digital marketing campaigns failing to result in conversions? If so, you may need an expert to help you identify your target audience. To an extent, defining an ideal customer is relatively simple. It involves factors like: Age Interests Profession Spending habits A local agency can help you with this by doing market research. Since they're familiar with the area, they can identify holes in service that your business may fill. In doing so, they'll redefine your target audience to suit your needs. Once you know what your ideal customer looks like, all that's left is to reach them. With digital marketing, creating the right brand guide can be a great starting point. You'll also need to use the right keywords and references for your area. For instance, let's say you're running a sandwich shop in North Jersey. If so, your marketer should know to buy Google Ads for "grinders" and "subs." If they invest in keywords like "hoagies," they'd be marketing to South Jersey residents! You'll Gain Access to a Local Network When it comes to marketing agency pros and cons, networking is clearly in the first group. Marketers have other clients, and they all want a deal. Let's say there's a local company that has a similar vision to yours. If so, your marketing team may suggest a sponsorship opportunity. If you're using social media for promotion ( as you should ), this is as simple as linking to their establishment. Local marketing companies also likely have long-standing relationships with local vendors. This allows them to negotiate more reasonable packages for you. In the long run, this is another reason why local marketing helps you save money. Another advantage of hiring a local marketer is their relationship with the media. These days, traditional PR isn't too effective since there are fewer reporters to write those stories. If you're going for nationwide coverage, the competition is fierce. Instead of going down that route, you should focus on reaching local news outlets. Fortunately, local marketers tend to work with local reporters all the time. They'll be able to put your products or services in the news quickly and efficiently. Partner With a Local Marketing Agency Today! There's no denying it: small business marketing can be a tough nut to crack. Without a solid plan in place, you'll simply be treading water. The best way to come up with that plan is to have a local marketing agency develop it. They can deliver results within your budget and on par with your vision. Of course, you'll also need to hire the right agency for your purposes. At Bolt Marketing, we're committed to helping Kentucky entrepreneurs market their businesses at a rate they can afford. Schedule a call with our experts and we'll provide you with a custom marketing plan that will bring results!
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Mission Your company's mission statement can be one or two sentences that are the "why" behind your business. One of the ways you can craft your mission statement is by finishing one of the below sentences: We exist because We do what we do because Come up with a few different options so you can determine which one perfectly encapsulates your brand. Make sure you stay on track and stick to the "why" in your statement. Vision Your vision statement refers to an imaginative and forward-thinking statement. This statement sets a goal of what you want to see happening in the future because of the work your company is doing. You can easily focus all of your brand messaging around the clear goal you have for your company in the future. Values Your values determine how you do your business. Your values are the map that guides your company toward your journey to your final vision. 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Differentiators What sets you apart from your competition are your company's differentiators. Your business model and brand strategy will define these. However, your brand messaging needs to convey your differentiators to your audience. One way to get started on them is by listing what makes you better and different than other companies in your field. Some of the things you can consider include: Materials Values Audience Quality Price point Service Ingredients Anything you do differently than other companies is a differentiator. Pick three or four of them that are the most important to your audience. Highlight them in all of your graphics and messaging. Slogan Your business's tagline or slogan is a crucial element of your business's external brand messaging. You can create a message that will resonate with your audience in just a few words. Businesses can use their slogan in any way they choose. You may want to elicit emotions or describe your business. 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