The 2025 Marketing Super Bowl Presents…

My 6 Most Anticipated Super Bowl Ads of 2025 (Before Kickoff)

This year’s Super Bowl ad lineup is stacked. We’ve got nostalgia plays, absurd humor, celebrity power, and unexpected brand crossovers. But not all commercials are created equal.

So, let’s break it down Marketing Millennials style.

Ranking these ads not just on hype, but on what really matters:

Creativity (C) – Does it bring something fresh or unexpected?

Effectiveness (E) – Does it actually sell the brand and not just entertain?

Entertainment (EN) – Is it fun? Will people actually enjoy watching it?

Shareability (S) – Will this live beyond game day? Memes? Social chatter?

Here are my rankings (of ones I’m excited about):  

1️⃣. Nike – “Win As You Are” (not yet released)

Anticipated Score: 9.8/10
C: 9.5 | E: 10 | EN: 10 | S: 9.5

🔥 Nike is back after 27 years, and they aren’t playing it safe. Instead of a basic product showcase, this is expected to be a full-blown cultural statement. Featuring Caitlin Clark, Aryna Sabalenka, Jordan Chiles, and Sha’Carri Richardson, this ad is rumored to be a gritty, high-energy anthem for athletes who refuse to be boxed in.

Why The Rating:

✅ Nike doesn’t sell shoes. They sell identity. This is about mindset, not merchandise.
✅ Cinematic storytelling. Expect raw emotion, intensity, and visuals that feel more like a sports documentary than a commercial.

✅ Cultural relevance. Nike isn’t just attaching to sports moments—they shape them.

Marketing Thought: 

Legacy brands making a comeback can’t just show up. They have to take over. If Nike sticks to its blueprint, this won’t just be an ad. It’ll be a moment.

2️⃣. Hellmann’s “When Hellmann’s Met Sally”

Anticipated Score: 9.2/10
C: 8.5 | E: 9.0 | EN: 8.8 | S: 9.0

🔥 Hellmann’s is leaning all the way into nostalgia with a When Harry Met Sally reboot, featuring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal recreating the legendary deli scene. Who doesn’t love Katz’s Deli? I’m hungry. 

Except this time, it is all about mayo. Sydney Sweeney delivers the iconic “I’ll have what she’s having” line in a cameo that adds just the right modern touch. And look, I love mayo, so this ad already has my attention.

Why The Rating:

✅ Nostalgia marketing done right. It is familiar, but with a fresh spin that makes it feel relevant today.
✅ Smart humor that ties directly to the product. The iconic scene is already food-focused, so it makes sense.
✅ Celebrity-driven but not over-reliant. Ryan and Crystal anchor the moment, while Sweeney helps extend it to younger audiences.

Marketing Thought: 

Nostalgia alone isn’t enough to carry a Super Bowl ad, but Hellmann’s executes it well by keeping the humor sharp and the branding front and center. This is a safe but strong play that should get plenty of buzz. Also, did I mention I love mayo?

3️⃣. GoDaddy “Act Like You Know”

Anticipated Score: 9.0/10
C: 8.8 | E: 9.5 | EN: 9.0 | S: 8.8

🔥 GoDaddy ditches the old-school corporate feel and goes full chaos mode with Walton Goggins leading a masterclass in how AI-powered tools can make starting a business easier. Expect fast cuts, ridiculous scenarios, and Goggins being his usual unhinged self as he guides struggling entrepreneurs through the world of domains, branding, and websites.

Why The Rating:

✅ B2B doesn’t have to be boring. This ad proves that business tools can be fun, engaging, and not feel like a PowerPoint presentation.
✅ Strong product tie-in. The humor doesn’t overpower the message. GoDaddy actually shows what they do, while making it entertaining.
✅ Walton Goggins is a cheat code. His charisma and timing will make this ad stand out from the usual tech commercials.

Marketing Thought: 

B2B brands usually play it safe, but GoDaddy gets that marketing like consumer brand is how you win attention. This could be the funniest and most effective business ad of the Super Bowl.

4️⃣. Michelob ULTRA – “The ULTRA Hustle”

Anticipated Score: 8.8/10
C: 8.7 | E: 8.9 | EN: 8.8 | S: 8.8

🔥 Michelob ULTRA is serving up a playful nod to the pickleball craze in their latest Super Bowl spot, “The ULTRA Hustle.” The ad features Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara as unexpected pickleball hustlers, challenging unsuspecting players on the court. Cameos from sports figures like Randy Moss, Sabrina Ionescu, and Ryan Crouser add an athletic flair to the narrative.

Why The Rating:

✅ Trend Alignment: By centering the ad around pickleball—a sport experiencing a surge in popularity—Michelob ULTRA taps into current fitness and recreational trends. My mom will like this ad LOL.
✅ Unexpected Casting: The choice of Dafoe and O’Hara as pickleball hustlers provides a humorous and surprising element, enhancing entertainment value.
✅ Brand Messaging: The ad reinforces Michelob ULTRA’s association with active lifestyles and enjoyment, aligning with their “It’s only worth it if you enjoy it” slogan.

Marketing Thought: 

Michelob ULTRA effectively combines humor, celebrity appeal, and cultural trends to create an engaging and memorable Super Bowl commercial.

5️⃣. On Running “Roger and Elmo’s Playdate” (not yet released)

Anticipated Score: 8.7/10
C: 9.0 | E: 8.5 | EN: 8.8 | S: 8.5

🔥 Swiss shoe brand On is making its Super Bowl debut with tennis legend Roger Federer and Sesame Street’s Elmo. The ad is expected to showcase Federer and Elmo engaging in playful activities, subtly highlighting the brand’s lightweight, high-performance footwear. And look, I’m a huge tennis fan and an even bigger Roger fan, so maybe I’m a little biased here, but this one has my attention.

Why The Rating:

✅ Unexpected but genius pairing. Federer is already beloved, and adding Elmo makes this feel lighthearted and fun.
✅ Smart product integration. The playful nature of the ad aligns with On’s brand identity. Shoes built for movement.
✅ Broad appeal. Sports fans get Federer, families get Elmo, and On gets a prime-time introduction to millions.

Marketing Thought: 

For a first-time Super Bowl advertiser, On is making a smart play by mixing elite sports with nostalgia and fun. Federer’s GOAT status alone will grab attention, and if the ad delivers, this could be a breakout moment for the brand.

6️⃣. Pringles “The Call of The Mustaches”

Anticipated Score: 8.5/10
C: 8.7 | E: 8.4 | EN: 8.6 | S: 8.5

🔥 Pringles is back with a quirky ad featuring Adam Brody, Nick Offerman, James Harden, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid. The commercial showcases their iconic mustaches coming to life, humorously delivering Pringles to partygoers.

Why The Rating:

✅ Unique Concept: The animated mustaches provide a memorable and humorous visual.
✅ Celebrity Lineup: The diverse cast appeals to various audience segments.
✅ Brand Recognition: Reinforces Pringles’ distinctive branding through the mustache motif.

Marketing Thought: 

While the ad is creative and entertaining, it may not resonate as strongly as some other commercials due to its abstract concept. However, its humor and star power should still make it a crowd-pleaser during the Super Bowl.

That’s a wrap.

That rounds out the MY most anticipated Super Bowl 2025 ads. 

A mix of nostalgia, celebrity power, humor, and viral potential. Some will crush it, some will fizzle out, but only a few will own the night.

Let’s see who actually wins the Ad Bowl.

Send me your rankings or your favorites after the game.

MEME OF THE WEEK