The 10 best Super Bowl 2012 ads

Let’s face it – football is only one part of the Super Bowl. The advertising industry is the real darling of this event, and every year experts are keenly watching for new trends and ideas they can pick up from some of the most expensive commercials of the year.

And while the Super Bowl has integrated new social media and internet marketing, it’s the television commercials that get the most attention. And rightly so, given a 30-second ad costs roughly $3 million.

The event usually brings in at least one or two commercials that push the envelope or cause a fuss, but funnily enough, 2012 has seen a distinct lack of controversy surrounding these ads. The only criticism has come from ad experts, who have attacked the most successful ads for relying on user-made content, rather than original ideas.

But that doesn’t mean the overall quality has dropped. Here are 10 of the best advertisements from the 2012 Super Bowl:

Doritos

Probably the most successful user-generated ad, this has gained a lot of buzz from ad experts – both negative and positive. But to be sure, it’s gained a warm reception online.

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Best Buy

Despite Best Buy’s troubles, this ad featuring some of the biggest innovators in technology has drawn widespread praise.

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The Voice

Networks usually spend a fortune promoting their own shows. The most successful ads are ones that can be understood without sound – here’s a perfect example.

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Chase

Banks aren’t well-known for their creative ads, but this ad from Chase has made a good impression.

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Budweiser

The idea of a dog fetching beer is a good premise for an ad – and it’s been ranking well on the USA Today Ad Meter.

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Skeechers

Using dogs seems to have won results this year.

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Time Warner Cable

Ricky Gervais may have scorned Hollywood at last year’s Golden Globes, but it hasn’t stopped the endorsements coming.

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Volkswagon

This Volkswagon commercial combines three ingredients that can never fail – dogs, cars and Star Wars.

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Audi

Again, another car commercial, but here Audi was able to bank in on the current vampire craze to differentiate itself a little.

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Samsung

Apple may be defeating Samsung in sales, but there’s no doubt the Korean manufacturer is doing a good job hitting back in the ads department.

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