Getting the Most from the Best Super Bowl Commercial of 2019
This year’s batch of Super Bowl commercials was under-whelming. Even though CBS charged $175,000 a second, or $5.25 million for a 30 second spot.
Even Steve Carrell couldn’t save Pepsi’s commercial this year. See, “More Than OK.”
Best Super Bowl Commercial:
Planter’s Peanuts, “Mr. Peanut is Always There in Crunch Time,” gets the award for this year’s best Super Bowl commercial. It was a little edgy for a traditional brand. And it came off like a football commercial with Mr. Peanut diving for the end zone.
See, “Crunch Time.”
Lessons from, “Crunch Time:”
#1. Be your real self, even in crunch time.
Planter’s didn’t bedazzle Mr. Peanut like Pepsi bedazzled it’s can. Just be who you are. Mr. Peanut maintains his ‘nice guy’ image, even though he’s driving like Evil Knievel.
You can’t resist Mr. Peanut’s smile. You might smile a little more today.
#2. Be kind even in emergencies.
My favorite part is Mr. Peanut picking up the trash he knocks over. The Peanut Mobile beeping while it backs up is hilarious.
Don’t use urgency as an excuse for rudeness. People in a hurry don’t have time for good manners. But not Mr. Peanut.
Mr. Peanut is a nut with character.
#3. Go all-in.
Mr. Peanut never quits – at the last moment he saves A Rod from kale chips. Thank goodness!
Keep going to the very end. If you must, dive for the end zone to get the job done.
What was your favorite Super Bowl commercial this year?
What leadership lessons did you see in this year’s Super Bowl commercials?
Check out:
Top 10 Belichick Quotes from 2018
Is Super Bowl Coach Bill Belichick a Detatched Jerk
I didn’t watch the super bowl. 20,000 people in dire need of exercise watching 20 people in dire need of rest never seemed like something worth getting into. However, I agree with your take on the commercials! I also noticed that Mr. Peanut took the time to set up the trash can that he knocked down. Awesome move, Mr Peanut! It reminds me of people’s hearts. How easy it is to get into ‘crunch-time’ mode when deadlines are pressing and we go into ‘just get it done’ mode. Do we, even when we’re busy, take the time to re set the hearts that can so easily get knocked down when everyone is in a hurry to meet some deadline?
Thanks Mike. Stay in touch with your heart. Be your best self. Don’t let pressure become the reason you show up like a jerk.
I’m glad you brought “heart language” to this post.
I have to say I thought the commercial with all of the past and current football players at the fancy dinner — going instinctively into play mode — showed that if we practice as long and as hard as they did to be winning football players — those good, winning instinct should kick in when needed. Just glad being in H.R. doesn’t literally mean tackling the big problems. 🙂
Thanks Mary Ellen. Loved that commercial. It’s a great illustration of the power of habit.
Since you are in HR, you should be careful not to kick the ball down the field. 🙂
I liked the lawyer chasing the ambulance. Everyone viewed him, out of context, as lowdown and crass in a stereotypical way while he was doing a good deed – and he didn’t even know how he looked. What can you do…
Thanks Ian. I missed that one. Thanks for bringing it up.
I liked the Football players dinner, showing they can still get things done, with a comment that “things hurt” after throwing the ball is the reality that athletes and people can equate to, as we progress up the age chain. Now we have a quart of Bio freeze on the dresser beside the after shave cologne. New routines in life to get through the day!
Thanks Tim. I think Mary Ellen agrees. There is a lot in that commercial. Someone should write a blog post about it.
The KIA commercial that introduces the new Telluride model was absolutely my favorite commercial. If you did not see it…make sure to watch it. For me, it reminds me as a leader/manager to pay attention to what matters most…”the unknowns” in our everyday endeavors. Our most valuable are those who we often forget about, who we deem “the workers”. Leaders and managers are focused on the seemingly bigger things…budgets, climbing higher on the cooperate ladder, and what is for lunch at the management meeting. For the mostly unforgotten people, “We are not famous but we are incredible”. This commercial should give you a little chill… it did for me.
Thanks Eric. I love the message. I liked the car splashing into the water. Personally, the “we are incredible” line seemed a bit over done for me. However, like you, I really love the message.
Agree the commercials as a whole were underwhelming. I thought the most valuable commercial was from the Washington Post highlighting the importance of a free press to freedom and democracy.
Thanks Peter. I must have dozed when it played. The game was a little dull until the last 5 or 6 minutes.
The Audi Commercial where the guy was driving the new electric Audi only to wake up getting the Heimlich maneuver at work after chocking on a cashew nut. Very funny and easy to remember who ran the spot.
Thanks Jerry. Yes, I laughed when the guy popped out a cashew! That one is in my top five for sure. Now all I need to do is get a leadership lesson from choking on a cashew.
The lesson is to proceed with great caution when around nuts! 🙂
My favorite was the Alexa Commercial with Harrison Ford. Several points, shows Amazon has a sense of humor and humility. Also demonstrates how important it is to keep up with technology. Failure to do so and you might wind up with a pallet of dog food at your door…..
Thanks Kenny. I just like Harrison Ford. 🙂
#ChunkyStyleMilk was the winner for me. Real, funny, and catchy. Leadership lesson: Success requires thinking outside the box.
Thanks Chris. That one grossed me out, but I couldn’t stop watching.
I liked the Weathertech pet commercial, with the dogs, pulled at my heartstrings. Also liked the Supra commercial, as a pinball wizard!!
Great post Dan, you took a lot away from that commercial. It didn’t do it for me as a favorite. I am in agreement with others here that the Alexa / Amazon one was the most creative and funniest for me. I thought it was great to show that even what some consider great inventions (I’m still stuck in the 00s with an iHome I turn on and a phone I make my own playlists on) have to go through several iterations and sometimes fail when trying to branch out. Also really enjoyed the NFL 100 one with all the players.