Social impact dominated this year’s Super Bowl commercials with companies inspiring action and support around gender equality, STEM, organic farming, veterinary medicine, community volunteerism and plenty more. The below are some of our favorite ads that touched-down on CSR!
“Be the One” Microsoft
Microsoft’s “Be the One” shines a spotlight on the inspiring story of Katie Sowers, the offensive assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers as she makes history as not only the first woman to coach the Niners nor the first woman to coach in the NFL Playoffs, but being crowned the first female coach to take on the Super Bowl. Her story empowers the next generation of women and girls as she creates strides towards equality in the male dominated sport.
Microsoft celebrates her accomplishments while promoting the use of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 tablet, demonstrating Microsoft’s commitment to empowering the next generation of game-changers. During the commercial, Sowers states, “We have all these assumptions about what women do in life and what men do…I’m not trying to be the best female coach. I’m trying to be the best coach. All it takes is one and then it opens the door for so many.” Although the 49ers lost in the Super Bowl, this accomplishment for Sowers and the advocacy for female equality in the NFL is most definitely a win.
“Make Space for Women” OLAY®
With a mission to inspire girls to #FaceAnything, Olay paid tribute to women in STEM during their female powered Super Bowl ad, featuring retired NASA astronaut, Nicole Stott. The commercial takes the viewers on a metaphorical mission to “Make Space For Women,” announcing that for every tweet using their hashtag, the skin care brand will donate $1 to Girls Who Code, a nonprofit advocating for females in coding and web development.
Olay’s Associate Brand Director, Eric Rose, stated, “We recognize that many industries have yet to reach gender parity, which is why we’re using our Super Bowl ad to feature fearless women who have been trailblazers in their own industries as a way to inspire people everywhere to get involved and support Operation #MakeSpaceForWomen. Olay believes that when we make space for women, we make space for everyone.” Now that’s a Super Bowl ad we can get behind! For more information, visit: olay/girlswhocode.
“6 For 6-Pack” Michelob ULTRA
Michelob Ultra has committed to changing America’s farmland, one 6-pack at a time. During the Super Bowl, the company unveiled the launch of their new program, “6 For 6-Pack”, allowing consumers to help drive change for US farmers. For every purchased 6-pack of Pure Gold, the beer brand will help transition 6 square feet of farmland to organic agriculture.
In a recent press release, Azania Andrews, the Vice President of Marketing stated, “The future of organic beer relies on more farmers converting to organic; we feel a responsibility to help provide choice and support to those who want to transition, so that together we can help farmers sustain and grow their business and provide consumer the products they want.” We’re not sure how they’ll execute, but looking forward to learning more. Visit their website for more details: michelobultra/six-for-six-pack.
“Lucky Dog” WeatherTech®
WeatherTech’s “Lucky Dog” shares the journey of 7-year-old golden retriever Scout, the dog-son of CEO David MacNeil, who was diagnosed with a devastating cancer that gave him less than one month to live and a 1% chance of survival. Don’t worry though, there’s a happy ending to this story! With the support of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s canine chemo technology, the team successfully shrank the tumor in his heart to nothing.
To give thanks in one of the most legendary ways possible, MacNeil took out a Super Bowl ad to encourage viewers to donate to the veterinary school. Scout narrates, “I’m alive because of a cutting-edge program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. Their research has the potential to save millions of pets’ lives. Pets make a difference in your life, and you can make a difference in theirs. Donate now at WeatherTech.com/donate.” 100% of the proceeds raised will go to the program.
“Closing Time” Verizon
With this season’s Sunday Night Football coming to an end, Verizon took over television screens at end of the game to announce their new initiative in partnership with the NFL. “One More Sunday” encourages fans across the country to pledge the time they spend watching football to volunteer within their local communities during the off season.
For every pledge received, Verizon will donate $1 to a volunteer organization in the supporter’s local community. Verizon and the NFL hope the nationwide initiative will open the gates to establishing the largest volunteer network in America. To pledge your volunteerism and discover a local organization near you, visit: GiveOneMoreSunday.com.