The People Have Spoken: Budweiser Tops USA Today Chart
USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter
While the ad industry will spend the next week (at least) arguing the merits of the Super Bowl spots, the people have already spoken by way of USA Today’s Super Bowl Ad Meter. Every year, the Ad Meter invites the general public to rate Super Bowl ads on a scale of 1 to 5, then tallies up the scores. And every year, advertising professionals and critics in the trade press grumble about the fact that crowd-pleasers please the crowds.
Case in point, this year’s winner was Budweiser’s “American Icons” spot. As much as Budweiser has tried to get away from its Clydesdales over the last decade, the fact remains that people still love them. Throw in a Bald Eagle and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Free Bird" and it’s nearly impossible for fans at home to resist — even if they’re drinking mocktails or imported beer. (Budweiser topped last year’s chart with an ad featuring a Clydesdale pony.)
USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter Top 10
Budweiser: “American Icons”
Lay’s: “Last Harvest”
Pepsi: “The Choice”
Dunkin’: “Good Will Dunkin’”
Michelob Ultra: “The Ultra Instructor”
Xfinity: “Jurassic Park … Works”
Novartis: “Relax Your Tight End”
NFL: “Champion”
Bud Light: “Keg”
Ring: “Search Party From Ring | Be a Hero in Your Neighborhood”