News Post

The Best Co-Marketed Super Bowl Ads of All Time

The Super Bowl isn't just a football showdown; it's the ultimate stage for ads that are as iconic as the game itself. Brands pull out all the stops, blending creativity with pop culture to create commercials that everyone talks about long after the game. They smartly tie in with beloved TV shows and movies, tapping into our love for these stories to make their ads more relatable and memorable. This strategy not only grabs our attention, but also carves a unique place for brands in our cultural conversations. In the crowded ad space, these partnerships transform commercials into an eagerly awaited part of the Super Bowl experience, making them more than just ads but a continuation of the stories we love.

Here's a look at some iconic Super Bowl commercials that brilliantly leveraged co-marketing into their advertising strategy. 

Volkswagen x Star Wars

Volkswagen's Super Bowl commercial, featuring a child dressed as Darth Vader attempting to use "The Force" on various objects, is a heartwarming and humorous masterpiece. When the child tries his powers on the family's VW Passat and it seemingly responds, thanks to a remote start by his father, it perfectly blends the magic of Star Wars with the everyday joy of family life and smart technology.

T-Mobile x Scrubs

T-Mobile brought together the beloved cast of "Scrubs" for their Super Bowl spot, leveraging the chemistry and comedic timing of the show's stars to promote their mobile services. The ad cleverly uses the show's hospital setting and character dynamics to highlight the benefits of T-Mobile's network, making for an engaging and nostalgic pitch.

Bud Light x Game of Thrones

In a surprising twist, a Bud Light commercial seamlessly transitions into a "Game of Thrones" scene, complete with dragons and medieval intrigue. This unexpected mashup shocked viewers, brilliantly merging the light-hearted tone of Bud Light ads with the dark, intense atmosphere of "Game of Thrones."

Squarespace x John Malkovich

Squarespace's commercial featuring John Malkovich leverages the actor's intense screen presence in a humorous dispute over a domain name. It's a clever nod to the frustrations and absurdities of the digital age, showcasing Squarespace's domain services with Malkovich's trademark flair.

PopCorners x Breaking Bad

Popcorners capitalized on the "Breaking Bad" phenomenon by featuring characters from the show in their Super Bowl ad. The commercial humorously repurposes the show's meth-cooking montage to showcase the making of Popcorners, striking a balance between humor and homage.

Doritos x Mountain Dew x Game of Thrones

PepsiCo created a Super Bowl spectacle by pitting Doritos and Mountain Dew in a "Game of Thrones"-styled showdown. This ad cleverly used the show's themes of rivalry and power struggles to highlight the playful competition between the two snack giants.

Mastercard x The Simpsons

Mastercard's Super Bowl spot featuring "The Simpsons" used the show's iconic characters and humor to illustrate the benefits of using Mastercard. The ad's Springfield setting and familiar faces made for a fun and effective way to communicate the brand's message.

Kia x The Matrix

Kia's commercial, starring Laurence Fishburne reprising his role as Morpheus from "The Matrix," offers viewers a choice between two cars, echoing the film's red pill/blue pill scene. This ad cleverly ties the themes of reality and perception to the choice of a car, with a dramatic flair only "The Matrix" could inspire.

Nike x Bugs Bunny

Nike's partnership with Bugs Bunny for their Super Bowl ad brought the animated world into the realm of sports. By featuring Michael Jordan alongside the cartoon icon, the ad highlighted Nike's playful spirit and broad appeal, bridging generations and genres.

Esurance x Breaking Bad

Esurance teamed up with "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston for a commercial that plays on the actor's iconic role as a chemistry teacher turned meth producer. The ad humorously uses this to underline the idea of unexpected expertise, aligning with Esurance's message of surprising benefits.

Snickers x The Brady Bunch

Snickers continued their "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign with a Super Bowl ad that inserted actor Danny Trejo into an episode of "The Brady Bunch." This unexpected and humorous twist on a classic TV family emphasized the transformative power of a Snickers bar in a memorable way.

Rakuten x Clueless

Rakuten's Super Bowl commercial revisited the classic film "Clueless," with actress Alicia Silverstone reprising her role as Cher. The ad cleverly uses the film's themes of fashion and popularity to highlight Rakuten's shopping rewards, appealing to both nostalgia and the joy of saving.

Unlock Co-Marketing With MutualMarkets

Co-marketing is one of the best options for engaging a new audience, generating sales, and achieving your campaign goals. MutualMarkets AI powered platform analyzes not only your business, but vast amounts of data to identify the most relevant co-marketing partners for your business. We take into account factors such as industry relevance, customer demographics,  and brand values to ensure a seamless and effective collaboration. Once we’ve identified your perfect  partners, we connect you with them directly so you can create break-through campaigns.