USA TODAY released a list of The Top 25 Super Bowl Ads of the Past 24 Years, so based on that limited time span, The “Thanks, Mean Joe” COCA-COLA commercial from 1979 doesn’t get to compete against his AIR JORDAN HIGHNESS, Michael Jordan.
The McDonald’s spot from 1993 where Michael Jordan and Larry Bird play an insane game of “HORSE” is still #1 on the list according to the AD METER System which is a real time consumer ranking of Super Bowl commercials.
It’s a good spot. Is it #1? Y’know what? It just may be. While there have been countless BUDWEISER and BUD LIGHT spots over the last 25 years and sexy GO DADDY spots and funny monkeys, talking babies, adorable doggies and really smart horses, I can’t specifically remember any of them.
The Jordan/Bird spot however, is easily recalled, much like the MEAN JOE Coke spot. And if those two went head-to head? No contest. Mean Joe Greene tossing his jersey to a kid after he gets a Coke? C’mon! I’m tearing up just thinking about it. (sniff, sniff). It stands the test of time as one of the most succesfully, manipulative ads EVER. A commercial that promotes its product while at the same time gives you hope that if you came across one of your sport heroes after a tough game he wouldn’t tell you to go- never mind. Here’s hoping there’s a memorable moment in this year’s crop of commercials.
