Super Bowl Sunday has been called the Oscars of the commercial world. In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl 50 on February 7^th, advertisers release sneak previews of their much-anticipated game day spots, and occasionally even drop the full commercials. This year, Press Kitchen clients in production and post-production played key roles in crafting the most watched spots of the year, from “How to make a Texas,” launching the “Bud Light party,” christening “Super Bowl babies” and more. Read on to see the buzzed-about spots our clients worked on for Super Bowl 50!

1. Toyota Prius, “The Longest Chase,” directed by Lance Acord of Park Pictures

One of the most-teased spots, “The Longest Chase,” for the brand-new fourth-generation Toyota Prius, got a lot of buzz in Super Bowl 50. Park Pictures’ Lance Acord directed the :60 spot in which four hapless and clearly inexperienced bank robbers have their getaway towed and are forced to steal the first car they see, a Toyota Prius (don’t worry, they left the unlucky owner a bag of stolen money to buy a new ride). Outrunning the police, maneuvering through cars and not running out of gas on the freeway, the Prius robbers get away to the shock of the media and law authorities. Toyota wastes no opportunity to make fun of itself, asking “How hard is it to catch a Prius?” and showing Prius owners who are proud that their car can accomplish such a feat. Park Pictures director Lance Acord was a natural fit to helm the high-profile spot, having directed some of the most loved Super Bowl advertisements in history, including VW “The Force”.

2. Bud Light, “Bud Light Party,” sound mixing by Steve Rosen out of Sonic Union

In light of the divisiveness of America’s 2016 election year, Bud Light decided to bring the country together under one common interest – cold beer. Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer lead the “Bud Light Party,” campaigning across the country emphasizing our shared love of Paul Rudd and quoting Independence Day. The spot, which was leaked prior to the Big Game, received rave reviews and landed on most “Best Ads” lists for the game. The spot comes out of Weiden + Kennedy, with sound mixing by Sonic Union’s Steve Rosen.

3. Taco Bell Quesalupa, Music by ELIAS

Who better to sell tacos to local markets than “famous” local businesspeople? In this revolutionary new concept from Deutsch, local entrepreneurs from Texas, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Minnesota join up to show how Taco Bell’s new Quesalupa pairs perfectly with their wares. The regional spots feature lawyer Bryan Wilson, the “Texas Law Hawk,” Virginia car salesman Mack Mack, handyman Mr. Appliance, Cleveland furniture expert Marc Brown and Minneapolis music man Fancy Ray.

Renowned music shop ELIAS provided music and vocal arrangement for The Auto Connection, music tracks for Treehouse Records and a music arrangement intro for The Law Hawk.

4. Toyota Prius “Heck on Wheels,” Directed by Park Pictures’ Terri Timely and Music By Butter Music + Sound (Pre-Game Teaser)

No one thinks “badass” when they see a Toyota Prius…until now. Park Pictures directing duo Terri Timely delivers this delightfully campy spot about a bland 9-5 businessman who hops behind the wheel of his new 2016 Prius, becoming “heck on wheels” and earning the admiration – and embarrassment – of those on his daily commute. Butter Music + Sound composer Mike MacAllister worked with producer Annick Mayer and Executive Producer Marcus Nelson to make this an automotive musical. This pre-game teaser didn’t air in the Big Game, but served as a warm-up to the newsworthy “The Longest Chase” Toyota Prius Super Bowl Spot.

5. Pepsi, “The Joy of Pepsi,” sound mixing by Michael Marinelli out of Sonic Union

Pepsi-Cola’s Big Game commercial aired just before halftime and served as the perfect lead-up to the legendary Coldplay/Beyonce/Bruno Mars halftime show. Janelle Monae dances her way through the past 50 years, from a 50s diner to a Material Girl-esque dance scene, showing how Pepsi has been involved with music from the beginning. Sonic Union’s Michael Marinelli provided sound mixing for the spot.

 

6. NFL “Super Bowl Babies Choir,” directed by Park Pictures’ Lance Acord and Chris Wilcha

The NFL debuted their commercial collaboration with singer/songwriter Seal called “Super Bowl Babies Choir.” Acord and Wilcha directed the piece, honing in on one little-known but interesting statistic: cities who win Super Bowl titles can expect a “baby boom” nine months later, hence the phenomenon known as ‘Super Bowl Babies.’ Acord and Wilcha record “babies” from the very first Super Bowl win by the Green Bay Packers, all the way to the most recent generation of toddling Seattle Seahawks, as they sing modified lyrics to Seal’s mega-hit “Kiss From A Rose.” The much-hyped spot (short teasers aired throughout the game, leading up to the main spot) landed the NFL on many best-ads lists.

 

7. Jeep “Portraits,” Editing by Cutting Room’s Merritt Duff and Brian Sanford

As the Fiat Chrysler brand celebrates 75 years in business, the automotive company releases “Portraits,” a collection of over 60 curated photos that show the history of the Jeep. The Jeep stormed, the beaches of Normandy, roamed the world, starred in Hollywood blockbusters and drove ordinary people around. This quiet, introspective spot caused a lot of buzz for its thoughtful, human-centered approach.

8. Mini “Defy Labels” Super Bowl 2016 Ad, directed by Christian Weber of Park Pictures

Director Christian Weber and Park Pictures helped Mini defy the small car label in this star-studded round up of silly misperceptions surrounding the car brand. Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, soccer great Abby Wambach and Harvey Keitel headline this commercial – which also features non-famous actual mini owners – designed to help viewers #DefyLabels about what a Mini is supposed to be.

9. Squarespace “Real Talk With Key and Peele: You Should Do It Anyway,” Music by ELIAS Music Library

Renowned Comedy Central comedians Key and Peele team up with Squarespace in a series of spots, which aired during Super Bowl 50. In “You Should Do It Anyway,” the duo explains how their haters who thought they could never do sports commentary actually ended up driving them to succeed. The track, “Never Surrender,” was supplied by ELIAS Music Library (EP Joey Netter, Head of Library Mitch Rabin and Music Supervisor Zach Golden).

10. Northrup Grumman “Just Wait,” sound mixing by Sonic Union

Last year, Northrop Grumman teased its top-secret stealth bomber for the first-ever Super Bowl ad for a defense contractor. This year, Northrop Grumman returns to the Big Game with a look inside the manufacturer’s labs and factories, teasing “what’s next” in aerospace engineering. Sonic Union’s Michael Marinelli provided sound mixing.

 

11. H-E-B “How to Make A Texas,” out of Sugar Film Production

H-E-B and narrator Billy Bob Thornton list all the ingredients needed for a “true Texan,” in this regional spot by Sugar Film Production. “How to Make a Texas” lists the state’s individualistic qualities, from its sprawling skies to 269,000 square miles of territory, to music, laughter and a diverse cast of citizens; “a pinch of this and a dash of that.” Sugar Films, with offices in Dallas as well as Santa Monica, demonstrates that the only state that can “make a Texas” is Texas itself.

12. Schick Razors, “Robot Razors,” Sound Mixing from Sonic Union

Schick Hydro Razors are incredibly high-tech, says the brand in their Super Bowl commercial. In the spot, a Schick Hydro razor transforms into a shiny robot, battling an ordinary lube-strip razor, which ultimately crumbles in the sink under the pressure. Sonic Union’s Steve Rosen provided sound mixing for the spot.

13.  Xifaxan, “Super Bowl 50 Commercial,” Production by Bodega Studios, Editing and Color by Northern Lights, Sound Design By SuperExploder

Xifaxan’s little intestinal mascot, GutGuy, has IBS and it’s ruining his day. He wants to watch the Big Game, but IBS has him worried in his seat and waiting in long bathroom lines. After taking Xifaxan, he’s able to enjoy the football game and even ends up on the Jumbotron. Pharmaceutical ads are usually fairly stale, but this cute mascot made audiences pay attention. Bodega Studios produced the spot, while Northern Lights provided editing and color, and SuperExploder did sound design (Editors: Glenn Conte, Chris Carson. Color: Chris Hengeveld. Sound Mix: Jody Nazzaro).