IT WAS MEANT TO BE A SHOWCASE OF TECHNOLOGY, BUT NOSTALGIA STOLE THE SHOW: WHAT DOES SUPER BOWL LX REVEAL ABOUT THE STATE OF MARKETING?

8. 2. 2026 Super Bowl LX is behind us. The evening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara was once again more than just a sporting event—it turned into a media platform watched by over 124.9 million viewers in the U.S., peaking at 137.8 million during the second quarter, making it the second most-watched broadcast in American television history. This level of concentrated attention also underpins an astronomical advertising business. A 30-second slot cost around $8 million on average, with some premium placements exceeding $10 million, while total investment per commercial often ranged between $15 and $25 million. This year’s edition delivered the expected dominance of artificial intelligence and tech brands, but also a surprisingly strong return to emotion, nostalgia, and clearly defined values. What truly resonated in these ads—and what inspiration can be drawn from them—is illustrated in the following examples. Lay’s: Last Harvest One of this year’s most remarkable commercials felt, dramaturgically speaking, almost out of place at the Super Bowl. The chip brand Lay’s presented a short indie-style film about an aging farmer facing his final harvest. His daughter is taking over the farm, making it a story of generational transition. Even if it may not seem so at first glance, this was a very bold spot. Snack brands at the Super Bowl typically opt for humorous, celebrity-driven presentations. Here, however, we see an authentic story centred on emotion and a narrative of “real ingredients for real people.” Especially in a year dominated by highly hyped tech showcases, Lay’s offered a moment for genuine reflection and introspection. From the perspective of the evening’s overall structure, it was something of an anomaly—one that, nevertheless, received very positive reviews.

SUPER BOWL 2026: BUDWEISER, KINDER BUENO, AND OTHER BRANDS ONCE AGAIN BANK ON THE MOST EXPENSIVE AD SPOTS

30. 1. 2026 Here it comes! The ads for this year’s Super Bowl are already making waves and sparking conversations. For fans in the U.S.—and beyond—the Super Bowl is far more than just the football championship game. It’s an event that, for one evening each year, brings together sports, entertainment, advertising, and pop culture. Even people who don’t normally follow American football tune in. It’s the ultimate mass spectacle, and the commercials are an inseparable part of it—many viewers watch them with the same anticipation as the game itself. And long after the stadiums have emptied, Super Bowl ads continue to be dissected and discussed across social media and in the press.

HORROR ENTERTAINING CONSUMERS: TV ADS INSPIRED BY DRACULA

18. 10. 2025 Halloween, the beloved season full of ghosts and ghouls, is just around the corner. Who doesn’t know Dracula, for example? Marketers are well aware of the global fame of the legendary vampire, and they’ve been using his iconic image and vampire symbolism to boost sales for decades — and for good reason. His image is instantly recognisable and universally understood. Now, with the release of the new film Dracula: A Love Tale, the vampire theme is back in the spotlight. It brings suspense, exaggeration, and humour to campaigns, and has the power to appeal to audiences of all ages. For advertisers, it’s a great opportunity to stand out and leave a lasting impression on viewers.

CHECK OUT THE MOST AWARD-WINNING CAMPAIGNS FROM CANNES LIONS

22. 6. 2025 The Cannes Lions Festival has recognised the world's most creative campaigns. MAM brings you a selection of the ten most successful ‘lion collectors’.

THE 25 BEST SUPER BOWL ADS OF THE PAST 25 YEARS

15. 3. 2025 From Pepsi's collab with Britney Spears to Bud's 'Wassup?' ADWEEK selects 25 of the best Big Game commercials since 2000.

WHEN THE BREAK IS AS MUCH FUN AS THE GAME. WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR’S SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL BREAK?

17. 2. 2025 Super Bowl LIX once again attracted the attention of not only sports fans but also advertising professionals from around the world. Prices for 30 seconds of ad space reached all-time highs this year, and once again, we could watch campaigns from big brands and smaller players who took advantage of the opportunity to reach more than 126 million viewers. Whether it was funny spots, emotional messages or controversial messages, Super Bowl LIX confirmed its status as the advertising event of the year, leaving no one indifferent in the marketing world.

WHO ‘WON’ THE ADVERTISING SUPER BOWL? IT DEPENDS

10. 2. 2025 Budweiser, Lay’s, T-Mobile and Nike could all claim to have “won” the advertising Super Bowl – depending on who you ask and what was being measured. These were winning brands according to some Monday morning post-game analyses.

SUPER BOWL: A FINAL WHERE SPONSORS DON’T CUT BUDGETS

6. 2. 2025 This year again, the live coverage of the American National Football League finals will be accompanied by commercials featuring big names. The price of a half-minute ad space has reached a new record.