The economy is all jacked up. The country seems like it’s on an out of control freight train heading towards a 10% unemployment rate.
I can’t get a raise. You can’t get a new job.
But some companies out there have $3 million to spend on 30 seconds. The Super Bowl might be over, and by this time next year no one will remember who won. But will you remember any of the ads…even tomorrow?! The fatwalleted companies who broke the bank certainly hope you do.
Here are our thoughts on the work-related job and career stuff. As always, your thoughts are welcome in the comments section below. Check out an audio recap below and don’t forget to use those Sick Days!
CareerBuilder.com
These guys need to throw in the towel already, as their Super Bowl commercials get less funny each year.
The concept is things to look for to figure out if you need a new job. From a woman screaming in her car in the work parking lot, to a toe-picking, Speedo-wearing co-worker, the ad illustrates everything that sucks about work.
The only ‘shining’ moment (Jobacle didn’t find it funny, but some of our guests did) was a stuffed koala getting punched in the face. After cashing in with monkeys a few years back, the SCB folks have gone to the zoo well one too many times.
Overall the ad had a low-budget feel that we don’t think was intended.
Monster.com
Teaming up with the NFL for a Super Bowl ad is a no-brainer. The concept here is the search for the NFL Director of Fandemonium. The goal: drive people to nfl.monster.com.
With a bunch of cool prizes (if you’re a true football fan), we think this campaign will be successful. Thirty-two finalists get two tickets to their favorite NFL team’s home games. Others will be able to conduct an official NFL coin toss, select a play at a future Pro Bowl and win $100,000.
The ad has a pretty cheap CGI-feel to it, but by using the official NFL voiceover dude, they’ll be sure to get the attention of football fans.
Or least favorite thing about this campaign is that it’s a bit misleading. There is no offer of employment – only prizes – so the position of NFL Director of Fandemonium does not really exists. Not a big deal, put a full-time job contest might be what the country is seeking at this point.
Monster also trumped CB with an ad that featured a Big Boss in a fancy office; over his desk a moose’s head, likely from some rich man’s right-leaning hunting expedition. The camera then pans around to the other side of the wall where we see the rest of the moose’s body – and some poor slob in a cramped workspace working under the moose’s ass. Great visual. Good point. Touchdown.
Hyundai
The car manufacturer unveiled its Angry Bosses ad. The spot revolves around big corporate conference rooms at Hyundai’s competitor’s offices. After a montage of angry bosses at BMW and Lexus rip into employees for allowing the Hyundai Genesis to win the Car of the Year award, the VO guy reminds us that it’s Hyundai – like Sunday.
Sure they’ve employed the oldest stereotype in the book: the negative utopia-style conference room with the suit-wearing, yelling a-hole of a boss, but at 30 seconds – the spot is effective. It’s amusing, attention-grabbing, and delivers some good brand awareness messaging.
Is it safe to assume that companies that bought an ad at $100,000 a second a during the big game are financially sound? I think not. In fact, we’d love to hear from employees at any of the companies that bought an ad. We’re willing to bet they’re experiencing the same pay freeze, budget cutbacks, dissolving pension and dwindling benefits that are affecting us.
Which ads did you like/hate?
Honorable Mention:
Bud Light. Group of workers at a meeting brainstorming on how to make things better. Guy suggests bringing Bud Light to every meeting. Cut to a street shot where we see him thrown out the window on his office chair.
Doritios: Something with a crystal ball. Guy accidentally nails his boss in the nuts with it, kissing the promotion he wished for goodbye.
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