It’s Super Bowl week, which only means one thing—everyone will be tuning into the Big Game on Sunday between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots to pay attention to the commercials. Yes, that means that those wives and girlfriends of yours will be cuddled up actually watching a football game. Of course, like a guy who reads the magazine Playboy to “read the articles,” they won’t be paying much attention to what’s happening—but that’s besides the point. And, regardless of what happens during the game, come the Monday after, everyone will be talking about the best and worst ads they saw. Seeing how much a company actually spends on those commercials might surprise you, though, and these are the ones which have broken the bank, as they’re the most expensive Super Bowl commercials ever.
Photo via YouTube
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg5cdZ-Fnpc]
20. Reebok’s “Terry Tate, Office Linebacker” – $4.2 million (2003)
It’s one of the best campaigns that an apparel company has ever written, in my personal opinion. The Terry Tate, Office Linebacker ads were a cult hit, with college kids everywhere watching the many different ads on YouTube, even today.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ExktvXOFRg]
19. Subway’s “Make-Up-For-Eating-Bad-Not-Being-Bad” – $4.4 million (2004)
Using an actor to help change the ways that America eats, Subway paid $4.4 million for their 60-second ad, hoping that their “Eat Fresh” campaign was one that would resonate with viewers and lead them to eating, well, fresh.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z3B4IlKJls]
18. Cadillac’s “0-60 in Under Five Seconds” – $4.6 million (2005)
One of the most recognizable car brands in the world, Cadillac thought it would be a good idea to show-off what they’re luxury wheels could do, showcasing the power of their new V-series line. In doing so, they spent a whopping $4.6 million for 60 seconds—which would be whopping top-speed of one of their cars.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FSOlx1GHN4]
17. ESPN Mobile “Sports Heaven” – $4.8 million (2006)
Before everyone had a smart phone that had a bunch of apps on it, ESPN helped sweep it new, mobile technology with the release of ESPN Mobile, a platform that helped sports fans stay on top of their sports news. A clever ad that showed the importance of sports from anywhere, the commercial cost $4.8 million.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3NGN4t4hm4]
16. General Motors’ “Robot” – $5.2 million (2007)
During a time when the rest of the country was in a recession, General Motors was willing to pay $5.2 million for a 60-second ad that featured a robot getting fired from an assembly line to help relate to what many were going through themselves. It was powerful message—and a pricey one, too.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc1ADvKwWXU]
15. Coca-Cola’s “It’s Mine” – $5.4 million (2008)
One of the power players in Super Bowl commercial history, Coca-Cola had two famous cartoon characters compete for a blown up version of their product, with Stewie from Family Guy and Underdog from a TV show in the ’90s duked it out to quench their thirst. Humor proved to be a good strategy, even if it did cost the company $5.4 million.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZtRN4GfkCs]
14. Audi’s “The Chase” – $5.6 million (2009)
Although it wasn’t supposed to be the most expensive ad of the 2009 Super Bowl, Audi’s reenactment of a a famous car chase ended up being so, coming in at $5.6 million. It reached the top spot after Pepsi’s ad was banned, giving the German car company the chance to be remembered for being the priciest.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hINczxdGKWQ]
13. Pepsi’s “Joy of Pepsi” – $5.7 million (2002)
What happens when you put a global icon like Britney Spears in various decades in a 90-second spot for Pepsi? A commercial that costs $5.7 million. Showing Britney drinking the beverage as the company progressed over the years, it remains one of the most remembered Super Bowl ads ever.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnMloXnGC7U]
12. Budweiser’s “Delivery Truck Bridge” – $5.8 million (2010)
Another frequent contributor to Super Bowl ads, Budweiser did what it typically does during the Big Game—use humor to produce a memorable commercial. Showing the lengths that a community would to in order to get its beer across a broken bridge, this ad falls in line with other great ones that Budweiser has done on Super Sunday.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_afZ0H7V0vQ]
11. Taco Bell’s “Viva Young” – $7.6 million (2013)
Everyone’s favorite fourth meal spot, Taco Bell, showed that they, too, were willing to spend big-time cash in order to promote their food. Spending $7.6 million, they hit a home run, using elderly folks to do exactly what everyone does—eat T-Bell late night.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443Vy3I0gJs]
10. Coca-Cola’s “(America Is Beautiful)” – $8 million (2014)
Celebrating the diversity of America, Coca-Cola released this artistic ad to show that the beverage is enjoyed by many cultures around the globe. The reaction was mixed, but the 60-second commercial showed that the company wasn’t afraid to handle some controversy, spending $8 million in support of the video.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOvHKG0Tio]
9. Microsoft’s “Empowering” – $8 million (2014)
Talk about a powerful message. Showcasing his battle with ALS, former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason took part in this ad for Microsoft, which showed how he uses his Surface Pro tablet to communicate. It brought tears to the eyes of viewers who enjoyed the ad, proving that the $8 million was well worth it for the company.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzFMd9QoAJQ]
8. Toyota Highlander and the Muppets – $8 million (2014)
Using actor Terry Crews and the Muppets, Toyota hit a home run with this ad during last year’s Super Bowl to help promote their Highlander. Putting all of these different characters together made this commercial one that was, arguably, the funniest of 2014.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diPICUxtRdo]
7. Kia’s “Matrix” Commercial – $8 million (2014)
Reprising his role as Morpheus from the movie The Matrix, actor Laurence Fishburne blew everyone’s mind during last year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Anytime you can get the audience to think, that’s a good move, so car company Kia did it right by spending $8 million on this commercial.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSL3z6o6yxI]
6. Jaguar’s “Rendevouz” – $8 million (2014)
Jaguar is one of the classiest luxury brands in the world, so it’s not surprising when they released this mini movie with Tom Hiddleston, Ben Kingsley and Mark Strong, creating an intense villain-like storyline that intrigued viewers. I’m not sure if it led to more cars being sold, but the $8 million the company spent definitely produced an amazing finished product.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eoxKy_uD_I]
5. T-Mobile’s “No Contract, No Worries” – $8 million (2014)
Former NFL quarterback might not play in the league any longer, but he still seems to appeal to fans everywhere. That’s why T-Mobile hired him for this commercial in last year’s Super Bowl, with Tebow showing all that he can accomplish by not having an NFL contract. Give Tebow credit for laughing at himself, as well as the mobile company spending $8 million to create the ad.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmpiwU50f5w]
4. Maserati’s “Ghibli” – $12 million (2014)
Never before had viewers seen a luxurious car company like Maserati take part in the Super Bowl arms race. But, when the brand decided to release one in 2014, they did it with epic proportions. By catching the audience off-guard as to what the product was going to be, Maserati dropped the mic and exited stage left as the best commercial on Super Bowl Sunday last season.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D3lBaGuZAU]
3. Bud Light’s “Epic Night” – $12 million (2014)
One of the teasers of a still, ongoing campaign, Bud Light proved that they are still the kings of comedy when it comes to Super Bowl commercials. Getting a variety of celebrities to partake in their “Up for Whatever” ads, the beer company shows what might happen unexpectedly when drinking Bud Light. It may have cost $12 million, but the campaign is still one that viewers enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc]
2. Chrysler, Imported from Detroit – $12.4 million (2011)
Detroit may get a bad rap, sometimes, but Chrysler wanted to squash all negative opinions with this incredible, $12.4 million commercial that shows Detroit-native, rapper Eminem, driving through the city in their car. It was a tribute to the adversity of the city, and received high praise for its creativity and message.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAQiuutkxdU]
1. Guinness Beer’s “Dominos” – $16 million (2007)
It’s one of the coolest commercials ever, in my personal opinion, with beer company Guinness using a remarkable domino effect to captivate and entertain Super Bowl viewers back in 2007. And while it holds the record for the most expensive ad in the game’s history, $16 million, profits following the commercial increased, so it, apparently, was successful.
