Every year, many people from around the world follow the mega American sporting event, Superbowl as much for the game as for the high-profile entertainment and big budget ads that they have become associated with. Superbowl 55, the 2021 edition is no different although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a few changes including the restriction to physical attendance to 25,000 - the lowest in the history of the Superbowl. This year too, some of the usual big names at the Superbowl like Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Budweiser were conspicuously absent.
The 2021 national anthem was performed by Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan. Eric Church is an American country music artist and has been nominated for 10 Grammy awards. Sullivan is a 12-time Grammy nominated R&B artist.
Food and beverages seem to have capitalized on this year's Superbowl, not only by the spots they ran, but also by the amount of snacking and food delivery orders that were made as many people watched the game from home due to COVID-19 instead of attending outside celebration parties. Here are some of the food and beverage ads that ran during the game:
1. Cheetos - It Wasn't Me
This ad features the celebrity couple, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis as well as Shaggy. This was a great opportunity for Cheetos to introduce its newest innovative snack, Cheetos Crunch Pop Mix (a blend of both popcorn and its classic Cheetos) tying this with the 20th anniversary of Shaggy's hit song "It wasn't me", drew much attention to this spot.
2. M&M - Let's Come Together
This ad for Mars Wrigley brand M&M’s was created by BBDO New York and features the actor Dan Levy. The company is quoted as saying they have have featured a "variety of relatable ‘wow, I really shouldn’t have done that’ scenarios and the people in them choosing to make it better with a bag of M&M’s.”
3. Doritos - Flat Matthew
The spot for Doritos, a Frito-Lay brand was made by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. It shows Matthew McConaughey, the American actor and producer as not being quite himself as illustrated in his a 2D appearance. However, things changed once he ate the new 3D Doritos.
4. Bud Light - Legends
This ad was done for Anheuser-Busch Bud Light brand by Wieden + Kennedy New York. It features stars in previous ads such as Post Malone, the Bud Knight and Cedric the Entertainer. The task at hand was to help an overturned truck full of beer move supplies to a store for waiting customers.
5. Uber Eats - Wayne's World and Cardi B's Shameless Manipulation
Uber Eats tapped Mike Myers and Dana Carvey for a “Wayne’s World” Super Bowl spot to encourage viewers to keep the celebration going and the process support local restaurants. The spot was made by Special Group on and featured Cardi B.
6. Chipotle - Can a Burrito Change the World?
This ad was created by the advertising agency Venables Bell and Partners. It is the first time Chipotle is running a Super Bowl ad.