The 2013 Super Bowl XLVII is all about the matchup between the 49ers and the Ravens. Except it isn't. With over 100 million viewers tuning in tonight, the Super Bowl is just as much about marketing genius on network advertising as it is about the game itself.
A lucrative opportunity to reach the multitude in just 30-seconds, CBS charge advertisers an average of $4 million per half-minute ad-spot. In fact, the significance of broadcasting an ad during the Super Bowl has been well understood for as long as the Super Bowl itself -- remember Super Bowl classic "Bud," "Weis," "Er," frogs? Better yet, what about the Toyota Supra commercial from 1993?
2013 promises a strong resurgence in car commercials compared to the previous years when automakers were still trying to get back on their feet after the financial collapse. Case in point, South Korean automaker Hyundai is airing no less than four different Super Bowl ads tonight.
What's more, given that the 2013 Super Bowl will take place at the Louisiana/Mercedes-Benz Superdome of New Orleans, this year is holding a particularly heavy dose of automotive interest.
Without further ado, here is the 2013 Super Bowl car commercial lineup!
Mercedes Benz CLA "Soul"
Not only is Super Bowl XLVII hosted at Louisiana's Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the premium automaker is introducing its latest compact luxury 2014 CLA sedan as well. Pulling out all the stops, the latest ad from Mercedes-Benz stars the gorgeous Kate Upton, the charismatic R&B singer Usher, and brilliant actor Willem Dafoe. In fact, the opening shot is a landmark diner in Louisiana's old New Orleans.
The ad is outstanding in both premise and presentation. You would sell your soul to own a Mercedes-Benz, but at a starting price of less than $30 thousand, you won't have to.
Be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes!
Audi S6: "Prom"
The Audi S6 was introduced a long time ago but with 420-hp from a twin-turbo 4.0 V8 engine, it's still a superstar, as evident in Audi's new Super Bowl commercial.
Here's what Audi has to say about it's ad:
"A slightly insecure teenager is unhappy about going to the Senior Prom without a date. But when Dad lets him borrow the new Audi S6 for the night, he gains more and more confidence with every mile, arriving at the Prom a changed young man. You'll have to watch this Super Bowl spot to see if his newly found bravery pays off."
Fiat 500e "Test Track
Electric vehicles are hopeless and soulless? Hardly. If any EV is going to turn you on, it's going to be the 500e from Italian automaker Fiat.
The commercial is pretty self explanatory. Molto bene! Molto gusto!
Hyundai Sante Fe "Epic Playdate"
Owning a Hyundai Sante Fe means one thing: you raise a middle class family while sharing your home with the Flaming Lips, who enjoy performing on your rooftop. You start your mornings with a leaning tower of pancakes, warm up at a skatepark before doing some gymkhana with a Sante Fe in a muddy field. You also outrun biker gangs and wreak havoc in museums. We aren't sure if that's an accurate depiction of a Sante Fe family, and if it is, whether that makes it awesome or absurd.
Hyundai is going big with the commercials this year. Here are other epic ad-spots that are also slated to air during the Super Bowl:
Kia Sorento "Space Babies"
The award for "geekiest brand" and automaker targeting the youngest demographic goes to Kia, hands down. Boldly scrapping the memorable dancing hamsters, Kia's marketing team kicked it up a notch with space babies and sexy humanoids. Check out the two Kia Super Bowl ads below:
Lincoln MKZ "Steer the Script"
While Ford enjoyed a renaissance of exquisite new models, its premium brand Lincoln Motor Company is really struggling to find its way after suffering from years of stagnant offerings.
In a daring, if not desperate, attempt to draw a new demographic of Lincoln drivers, the brand partnered with talk show host Jimmy Fallon to unleash a Twitter campaign that allowed the people to craft their own commercial.
Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a brilliant move of giving the people exactly what they want, the ad utterly failed to deliver a message or promote the brand. As Apple founder Steve Jobs once realized, "People don't know what they want." Just leave it to the professionals.
That said, Lincoln still pulls from its heritage in order to remind the people what a great company it once was.
In Lincoln's new Super Bowl commercial, titled "Phoenix," the iconic Town Car is lit on fire and reborn as an MKZ, a vehicle that is burdened with unfair expectations to catapult the brand into a new era of success. Is it up to snuff?
Toyota RAV4 "Wish Granted"
Finally, the RAV4 now comes with a Kaley Cuoco as a sassy genie accompanied by her pet chihuahua as standard equipment. Oh, and the spare tire is gone too!
Toyota says:
"Kaley Cuoco isn't your average genie. She's modern, smart and stylish, like the Toyota RAV4 she lives inside. Learn more about the all-new RAV4: http://www.toyota.com/rav4 Thumbs up and Share if you wish Kaley Cuoco was your genie! #WishGranted"
Volkswagen Beetle "Get in. Get happy."
Ads from Volkswagen never miss the mark. Remember Vader kid? How could one forget?
After watching Volkswagen's latest Super Bowl ad for the Beetle, everyone is going to want a coworker from Minnesota with a Jamaican accent who owns a red Beetle. WHO WANT TO COME WITH I?!
Read more:
Super Bowl 2013 Commercials: Missed The Super Bowl Commercials? Watch Them Here! [VIDEO]
2013 Super Bowl: Watch 49ers vs. Ravens Live Online Free; Preview, Prediction
Go Daddy Super Bowl Ad: See Supermodel Bar Refaeli Make-Out With Super-nerd Jesse Heiman [VIDEO]
