The Super Bowl is fast approaching. Football fanatics and casual viewers alike will be tuning in to watch the game, and more importantly for some, the commercials. Since the Super Bowl is frequently the most watched television program of the year in the United States, it makes sense for companies to go all-out when creating their commercials. Here are a few of the most memorable ones throughout the years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple\u2019s 1984 (1984) <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not just one of the most well-known commercials of all time but Super Bowl ads, Apple\u2019s 1984 <\/a>takes influence from George Orwell\u2019s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four<\/em> and depicts a heroine smashing the giant screen of an authoritarian figure that is speaking to a homogenous crowd\u00a0 in a dystopian world. The unnamed protagonist symbolizes Apple\u2019s computer at the time (Macintosh) and its individuality as they destroy the \u201coppressiveness\u201d of technology, symbolized by the figure on the screen (meant to represent their competitor, IBM).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This commercial was an immense success. Compared to other television ads, 1984 was more stylish and cinematic, offering a narrative that wasn\u2019t normally seen in the medium; instead of offering a pitch, it offered a story. It looked and sounded completely new at the time. As a result of the ad, Apple sold 70,000 units<\/a> of their Macintosh computer in the first 100 days of availability. The ad was placed in the Clio Awards\u2019 Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor that highlights creative excellence in advertising and design.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Budweiser Clydesdales (1986)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First debuting in 1986<\/a>, these commercials starring Clydesdale horses have been an almost yearly tradition every Super Bowl. Although each ad is different<\/a> (see this 2013 version), the common features among them are a heartfelt, self-contained story featuring the horses accompanied with themes of loyalty and connection. The commercials highlight the American qualities of hard work and authenticity, matching the homegrown origin of the parent company Anheuser-Busch and the Budweiser brand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Clydesdales commercials help reinforce Budweiser as an American brand and are popular enough to be seen every year during the big game. They have an emotional connection to many since they\u2019ve been part of the Super Bowl since the mid-80s, offering nostalgia to a variety of audiences and are often the most anticipated ads. You\u2019d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn\u2019t associate Clydesdale horses with Budweiser, and if not, then associating it with the Super Bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Snickers You\u2019re Not You When You\u2019re Hungry (2010)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The most recent ad on our list, this commercial debuted in 2010<\/a> and has since become another well-known campaign. These commercials play on the idea that an individual isn\u2019t themselves when they\u2019re hungry. This person is often played by a celebrity (such as Betty White or Joe Pesci) performing a grumpy or confused personality. After taking a bite of a Snickers candy bar, the celebrity turns into a normal person, with the ad ending with the tagline \u201cYou\u2019re Not You When You\u2019re Hungry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n