February 14, 2025: Super Bowl Marketing

Why the biggest game of the year is also the biggest ad class you’ll ever watch

The Real Game Happens Between the Plays

Sure, the Super Bowl is about football—but for marketers, it’s the Olympics of advertising. Every February, brands compete not just for touchdowns, but for your attention. With 100+ million people watching, every 30-second ad is a $7 million gamble.

But it’s not just about who can spend the most. It’s about who can connect the best. For teen marketers, the Super Bowl is the perfect example of how storytelling, timing, and culture come together in marketing magic.

Emotion Always Wins

Think back to the most memorable Super Bowl ads:

• The Budweiser Clydesdales and the puppy.

• Google’s “Loretta,” where an old man uses search to remember his late wife.

• Apple’s “1984,” which introduced the Macintosh by rebelling against conformity.

These ads stick because they make you feel something. They don’t just say, “Buy our product.” They make you laugh, cry, or get chills—and that emotional reaction burns the brand into your memory.

The Power of Pop Culture

In recent years, brands have learned that the fastest way to trend online is to tap into pop culture: memes, celebrities, and moments everyone’s already talking about.

• 2023’s Dunkin’ ad with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez? Total viral hit.

• Uber Eats’ nostalgic ad with 2000s TV stars? A masterclass in social sharing.

In 2025, expect even more of this crossover marketing—musicians, TikTok influencers, athletes, even YouTubers making cameos. Brands know that shared moments = shared attention.

Multi-Platform Strategy: Beyond the TV Screen

Super Bowl ads don’t stop when the whistle blows. The real engagement happens online—on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

• Pre-game teasers: Brands drop short clips days before the game to build hype.

• Post-game memes: Funny moments get remixed, reacted to, and re-uploaded—free advertising!

For teen marketers, this is key: Think ecosystem, not just one platform. Every campaign should live in multiple places where your audience already hangs out.

Diversity and Authenticity: The New MVPs

Audiences today expect more than clever jokes—they want representation and meaning. Brands that miss that tone risk major backlash (just ask Pepsi after the infamous Kendall Jenner ad).

Modern Super Bowl campaigns succeed when they feel real. They highlight stories, communities, and causes that connect with today’s values.

What You Can Learn as a Teen Marketer

1. Watch like a strategist. Don’t just enjoy the ads—analyze them. What emotion are they going for? Who’s the target?

2. Tell stories that travel. A good campaign lives on TikTok, not just TV.

3. Cultural timing matters. Great marketers don’t chase trends—they anticipate them.

4. Emotion beats everything. Even $7 million won’t save an ad that doesn’t make you feel something.

So this February, when the commercials roll, grab a notebook. The Super Bowl isn’t just entertainment—it’s your free masterclass in modern marketing.