Achieving the Impossible; Let’s Talk Super Bowl LV Commercials
Following last Sunday night’s decisive Super Bowl win, Tony Romo told Tom Brady’s parents “Your son’s the greatest who’s ever walked”!
A few years ago, that statement may have gotten Romo into trouble. Critics have denied Brady’s preeminence for years, instead crediting his teammates, coaching staff and various officiating staffs for his on-field success. However, after Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory, a team that posted a 7–9 record last year and boasts one of the worst historical win percentages of any team in the NFL, it is safe to say he is the greatest of all time. Even the color commentators were calling Brady the GOAT by the end of the night.
Brady and the Buccaneers’ big showing was not the only news of the night, nor were Brady, Mahomes and company the only ones to put their talents on display. As football fans the world over sat down to watch the primetime matchup, a number of companies highlighted new initiatives that announced the arrival of sustainability and impact on the world’s biggest stage. Only a few years ago, some of these initiatives would have seemed just as unlikely as a Bucs victory with Brady at the helm.
In the first quarter, Elon Musk & Co. invited us to partake in Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to space. Launching Q4 2021 or later, the voyage will use SpaceX’s Falcon9 launch vehicle and Dragon space craft. Jared Isaacman, Founder and CEO of secure payment company Shift4 Payments, will be along for the ride, and is bringing three lucky people up with him. The mission could usher in a new era of space exploration and research, spearheaded by civilians — not to mention, the opportunity for three regular people to join is remarkable.
In the second quarter, Will Ferrell deplored the US consumer for purchasing fewer electric vehicles per capita than Norwegians. Consistent with Ferrell’s style, the ad was downright ridiculous. None-the-less, GM’s promise to bring 30 EVs to market by 2025 is also pretty remarkable, given that the company has traditionally grown its brand under a fuel-based, rather than EV-based model, especially when compared to EV-Titan Tesla.
In the fourth quarter, Cadillac followed suit, putting the new All-Electric Cadillac LYRIQ on display. Not only is the car the first all-electric option offered by Cadillac, but also one of the first in a new generation of “hands-free cruise” vehicles. The Super Cruise feature will allow riders to drive hands-free on more than 200,000 miles of road, and to switch lanes on demand, adding to the LYRIQ’s futuristic appeal. The emergence of the technology indicates that self-driving cars are no longer just a concept, but rather a legitimate method of transportation.
Even Budweiser joined in on the year of firsts, choosing to forgo their iconic Clydesdale series to redirect advertising dollars towards “support[ing] critical awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine.” The Clydesdale series has been a Super Bowl staple since their first display at the 1986 Super Bowl, and the supersized horses have stolen the show in years since. While they were missed, the impact of their decision to prioritize the common good was still evident.
Budweiser wasn’t the only beverage company to cause a stir. While Swedish oat milk brand Oatly’s advertisement is considered by some to be the least appealing of the evening, the market for sustainable milk-alternatives is growing quickly. With a likely IPO approaching, Oatly is backed by a reputable collection of investors including Blackstone, Oprah and Jay-Z. Considering the company’s potential to achieve a valuation of $10 billion, maybe CEO Toni Petersson’s soliloquy will pay off in the long run.
And finally, T-Mobile gave us confirmation that 5G is on its way to mass adoption. Brady and Gronk and judges from The Voice chipped in to show us the horrors that can happen when we don’t have good cell coverage. All jokes aside, 5G is growing quickly and will deliver enhanced data speeds, lower latencies, greater reliabilities, larger network sizes, increased coverage and a more streamlined consumer experience. Not only will the tech make users less likely to drop coverage or misunderstand a FaceTime, but will also usher in a new, more integrated era of IoT technology, where all devices are more seamlessly connected. Impact and sustainability industries such as transportation, healthcare and agriculture are poised to benefit greatly. That’s pretty quick innovation since 4G dropped in 2009.
Listening to Tony Romo call Tom Brady the undisputed greatest of all time would have seemed like satire five years ago, but as the Super Bowl LV advertisements taught us, never say never. The initiatives we saw were pretty incredible, especially when you consider how far we have come in recent years. So, while Brady fans such as myself have reason to celebrate after the game, we all had a lot to celebrate Sunday night!
Garrett Mitman, Investment Intern
Reddit’s 5-second Super Bowl Ad is surprisingly effective. Check it out if you have a moment.
Play the advertisement game; best played with a group of at least 2. Whenever a new commercial comes on the TV, the first person to guess the company or organization wins a point. Incorrect guesses lose a point. Play to 5.
Pro Tip: Do not play this game for more than 15 minutes, or you may get annoyed.
Apply to go to space! If you would prefer to keep your wheels on the ground, check out GM’s EV lineup or the Cadillac LYRIQ. Ford has some cool offerings as well!
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