Blogger– Dennis Demori (@DennisDemori):

My favorite ad of the game was Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit” spot. Everything from the narration, to the music, to Eminem as a pitchman was solid (Credit to W+K).

Even so, it seems like everyone is so in love with the ad that they’re forgetting what got the Detroit automakers into this mess in the first place:

“…the car companies discouraged diversification of the city’s economy, and city residents will tell you that the Big Three pretty much just stood by as the unemployment rate soared, the school system went sour, violence reached epidemic proportions, and city government became a piggy bank for the friends and family of city officials.” SOURCE: “Super Bowl Ad Stories: Chrysler, Eminem Break an Awkward Silence in Detroit” – Fast Company

The ad is positive and empowering, but the city has a long way to go and I’m a little skeptical how much advertising alone can influence the kinds of changes the Motor City needs. There are serious issues that need to be addressed (employment, crime, education, etc.), so let’s hope “Imported from Detroit” serves as the symbolic step Detroit needs to show that the close-minded automakers of yesterday are serious about bringing back innovation and craftsmanship.

Blogger– Michelle Bregozzo (@bregozz)

I could tell you which commercials I liked the best and which ones made me LOL (nod to Bridgestone’s “Beaver”), but I think I’ll keep it short and take a look at the three commercials that I found most interesting.

Most Surprising (and not in a good way):

Groupon (Tibet)
I’m a huge fan of Groupon, but I’m still really on the fence as to whether or not its ad’s tongue-in-cheek humor about the current state of Tibet was actually funny or just distasteful (same with “Rainforest”).  Since they made their name online (and any bargain savvy shopper has likely heard of them by now), did they really need a Superbowl commercial in the first place?

I’ve always felt Groupon’s style is pretty edgy and witty, but why make a commercial that actually pissed off a lot of people?  I know you can’t please everyone (and don’t necessarily want to), but could they have taken the same idea and made it a lot more sarcastic rather than choosing to address actual situations and issues that exist?

New Ad, Same Concept (best and worst):

Best: eTrade (Suit fitting)
Although the eTrade baby has been around for a few years now, I still find him completely hilarious, engaging and relevant. Even though the main idea of every eTrade spot is pretty much the same, each spot is funnier than the one before it.  There is something about that kid that just draws you in and can make someone not at all interested in stock trading and investing think a little more about it (after all, if a baby can do it…)

Worst: Snickers (Logging)

How did they think that anyone could top Betty White in the Snickers concept, “You’re not you when you’re hungry?”  Betty became the “re-breakout” star of 2010 after this spot so to think Roseanne could even come close seems pretty misguided.  Betty is funny, loveable and quirky while Roseanne is abrasive, crude and not universally appealing. I get that they wanted to capitalize on last year’s success but I think they would have been better off with a different concept all together, or maybe even Betty 2.0.

Those are just our opinions.  We’d love to hear yours.

photo credit: 1stblogger.com