East Lansing Hosts 28th Annual Super Bowl Ad Watch Party

News Summary

The 28th annual Super Bowl ad-ranking watch party in East Lansing brought together advertising enthusiasts to analyze and discuss commercials aired during the game. Hosted by Michigan State University’s Department of Advertising, the event transformed casual viewing into an engaging advertising analysis session. Attendees rated ads based on creativity and effectiveness, while discussing the community aspect of the gathering. The top-rated ad of the night came from Michelob ULTRA, showcasing the vibrant interaction that ads provide beyond the football field.

East Lansing Welcomes Super Bowl Ad Enthusiasts for 28th Annual Watch Party

Every year, millions of eyes are glued to their screens for Super Bowl Sunday, making it a colossal event in the TV world. But while most people tune in for the game, many only wait to see which commercials steal the spotlight. This year, the Department of Advertising at Michigan State University kicked off its 28th annual Super Bowl ad-ranking watch party, turning what is traditionally a casual viewing experience into a full-on advertising analysis extravaganza.

A Gathering of Experts

The watch party serves as a unique opportunity for faculty and guests to come together and analyze, rate, and discuss the various commercials aired during the big game. Everything from creativity and production values to branding and effectiveness gets a thorough examination. This event showcases how the academic world can engage with the real, vibrant field of advertising.

Each year, the event began as a thoughtful initiative by professors who wanted to apply their expertise to something as cultural and fun as Super Bowl ads. It all started with Robert Kolt, a former advertising instructor who recently hung up his teaching hat after an impressive 31-year run at the university. What began as a handful of colleagues gathering around a TV has now grown into a substantial event that draws both faculty and guests from all corners of the community.

Rating Ads with Technology

With an engaging system designed to evaluate ads, attendees enjoy breaking down the commercials and understanding what works and what doesn’t. Advertising master’s student Cionne Casanova shared insights about how technology plays a key role, with computers used for collecting ratings through polls to calculate final scores quickly and efficiently.

Community Connections

This year, new attendees highlighted the event’s community-building aspect. It’s a space where everyone can join in and share their thoughts on the ads being aired, getting wrapped up in lively discussions that often extend beyond the commercials. Even Kelsey Pink, who works as a fiscal officer for NPR, echoed this sentiment, noting how valuable it is to come together and engage in these conversations as a community.

Ad Highlights and Lowlights

Michelob ULTRA, featuring an ensemble cast of stars like Ryan Crouser and Willem Dafoe, and it scored an impressive 4.8 out of 5!

Not far behind, Mountain Dew snagged a solid 4.6, while WeatherTech and Google Pixel followed closely with 4.5 and 4.4 respectively. However, not every commercial received applause—Marvel Thunderbolts earned a mere 2.2, Tubi sank to 2, and the absolute lowest of the night was the much-criticized Megan 2.0, which plummeted to a dismal 1.7.

Where Ads and the Game Collide

Aside from the commercials, the Super Bowl game itself sparked plenty of animated discussions among guests. It’s not just about which ad made viewers chuckle; it’s also an opportunity to bond over the game that brings everyone together, making for an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere.

From Small Gatherings to Grand Events

Over the years, this annual event has evolved from modest gatherings in small spaces to larger, lively events. Previous editions may have taken place in cozy restaurants, but now they offer an environment that encourages analysis, interaction, and camaraderie. It’s a wonderful reminder of how advertising can connect people in unexpected ways, transforming a simple television viewing into a communal experience, whether through laughter at clever ads or the occasional groan at a misfire.

As this year’s watch party wrapped up, it’s clear that this tradition will keep evolving, continuing to foster connections while providing fascinating insights into the ever-changing world of advertising. So, here’s to next year’s Super Bowl, where viewers will undoubtedly be eager to see how the ads will unfold and what new discussions will spark. Cheers!

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Additional Resources

• The State News
• WILX
• MLive
• Detroit News
• Wikipedia: Super Bowl