Get us in your inbox

Search
Spuds MacKenzie, "the original party animal," made his debut in a 1987 Bud Light ad that aired during Super Bowl XXI.
Spuds MacKenzie, "the original party animal," made his debut in a 1987 Bud Light ad that aired during Super Bowl XXI.

15 Super Bowl ads made by Chicago advertising agencies (VIDEO)

Some of the most classic Super Bowl ads, from Spuds MacKenzie's debut to the Jordan-Bird McDonald's spot, have come from Chicago advertising agencies.

Advertising

The most contentious battle of Super Bowl XLVIII will have almost nothing to do with football. This war will not be waged on the field of New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, but rather right in your own living room. (And I'm not talking about the tussle over the last chicken wing.) As the most-watched TV event of the year, the Super Bowl is also the most in-demand forum for advertising—as much a competition over consumer eyeballs as the Lombardi Trophy.

RECOMMENDED: Seahawks-Broncos Super Bowl guide

To this most super of super Sundays, brands (and their ad agencies) bring their creative A-games and loads of money—this year, 30 seconds of airtime costs an average of $4 million—to deter viewers from running to the bathroom or kitchen during commercial breaks, and to get them talking around the watercooler (or, the 21st century version, Twitter). This is why Super Bowl ads are the domain of anthropomorphic animals, celebrity cameos, infants acting like adults and not-so-sly attempts at slipping corporate catchphrases into the cultural lexicon.

Details on this year's Super Bowl ads are scant, but work from at least one Chicago agency will air on Fox during the fourth quarter of the February 2 game. Cramer-Krasselt is behind a spot for Heinz ketchup that, according to a spokesperson, emphasizes the pleasant, familial nostalgia that comes with using the condiment. The Loop-based firm is just one Chicago agency that has been playing the Super Bowl ad game for decades. Local companies have produced some of the big game's most iconic ads, from Spuds MacKenzie to "Whassup?"

Master Lock “Sharpshooter” by Cramer-Kasselt

Aired during Super Bowl VII on January 13, 1974
The gist Based in Chicago since the '80s, Cramer-Kasselt was actually a Milwaukee firm when it made this stunty spot, one of the Super Bowl's first iconic ads.

Bud Light “Spuds MacKenzie” by DDB

Aired during Super Bowl XXI on January 25, 1987
The gist "The original party animal" made his debut, proving that a bull terrier in a sport jacket can get beer and chicks. Never mind the implication of bestiality.

Advertising

McDonald's “Showdown” by Leo Burnett Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XXVII on January 31, 1993
The gist 
An epic game of H-O-R-S-E transpires between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Over a fucking Big Mac. Sidenote: Did Prince do the jingle?

Budweiser “Frogs (Winter)” by DDB Needham Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996
The gist
 D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles inflicted the plague of "Frogs" upon the world during Super Bowl XXIX. DDB's Chicago office stepped in to produce the rest of the spots, including this one.

Advertising

Bud Light “I Love You, Man” by DDB Needham Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996
The gist For all his NRA chest-thumping, the late Charlton Heston must've had a decent sense of humor about himself. After a winning cameo in Wayne's World 2, he starred in this ad that lightly lampoons his legend. Defending his Bud, Heston might have used the quote for which he later became famous: "From my cold, dead hands!"

Budweiser “Separated at Birth” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XXXIII on January 31, 1999
The gist Furthering the firefighters-love-Dalmatians myth, this ad about a split-up pair of the spotted dogs suggests that a life spent travelling by horsedrawn carriage is somehow better than riding atop a shiny, big-rig firetruck. Yeah, and Budweiser is classy beer.

Budweiser “Whassup? (Figure Skating)” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl  XXXIV on January 30, 2000
The gist Budweiser decided not to run the original "Whassup?" ad, based on the short film "Truth" by Charles Stone III, during the Super Bowl. Instead, it went with this "easier-to-understand" sequel.

Advertising

Budweiser “Whassup? (Yuppies)” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XXXV on January 28, 2001
The gist This ad, apparently, operates on the Office Space principle: squares + street lingo = funny. Not always.

Budweiser “Whassup? (Aliens)” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XXXV on January 28, 2001
The gist Even extraterrestrials were getting in on the tongue wagging.

Advertising

Bud Light “Sleigh Ride” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XVIII on February 1, 2004
The gist Gassy horse blows ass, ruins date. I dunno about you, but I'm thirsty.

CareerBuilder "Chimps" by Cramer-Krasselt

Aired during Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005
The gist Pure PETA bait

Bud Light “Secret Fridge” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006
The gist The dudes in this ad are having their buddies over to watch the game. So why are they hiding all the beer? What kind of bro squirrels away Bud Light?

Advertising

Budweiser “Hank the Horse” by DDB Chicago

Aired during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008
The gist In this training montage set to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" Rocky theme, a Dalmatian inspires a Clydesdale named Hank to make the hitch team. Talk about animal odd couples.

Bud Light “Weego” by McGarryBowen

Aired during Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012
The gist A dog that fetches beer. Hmm, didn't Stroh's come up with this concept decades ago?

Advertising

Cars.com “Wolf” by McGarryBowen

Aired during Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013
The gist Local company Cars.com's "All Drive. No Drama.” campaign made its debut with this ad featuring dos lobos.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising