As usual, this year’s Super Bowl ads look like they’ll be just as entertaining, if not more so, than the big game itself. In fact, Super Bowl commercials have become such a big deal that many of them already have their own online teaser videos.
Mindy Kaling proved that she’s one of TV’s MVPs by scoring a role in a Super Bowl ad for Nationwide. The Mindy Project star is definitely an upgrade for the insurance company — it’s currently airing those irritating ads that feature Peyton Manning humming the Nationwide jingle.
During her Super Bowl commercial, Mindy Kaling decides that she’s invisible after years of being ignored by taxi drivers and other people. She decides to take advantage of her super power by sunbathing naked in Central Park, eating ice cream straight out of the tub at the supermarket, and stealing food off of stranger’s plates. Some moments look like they could be scenes borrowed from The Mindy Project , and there’s a reason why the ad bears the mark of Mindy. According to Adweek , Mindy Kaling actually helped develop the spot. You can check it out below.
Matt Jauchius, Nationwide’s chief marketing officer, explained why Kaling is invisible in the commercial.
“The insight here is consumers feel dissatisfied and considered invisible by companies out there. The best advertising combines head and heart. With ‘Invisible,’ we’re saying we understand you, America—you feel treated by brands as being invisible. That’s the rational message, and for the emotional one we’re using humor because it’s the Super Bowl.”
According to Kaling, she pitched the idea for the car wash scene because she’s “always wanted to walk through a car wash.”
Mindy isn’t the only star who stripped down for her Super Bowl commercial. As the Inquisitr previously reported, Carl’s Jr. is using its tried-and-true formula once again: barely-covered beautiful girl + burger = buzz. Model Charlotte McKinney gets nearly naked in this year’s Carl’s Jr. spot .
McKinney isn’t the only model being featured in a Super Bowl ad . According to ABC News , Victoria’s Secret angels Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio will star in an ad reminding guys that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It’s the lingerie company’s first Super Bowl commercial in seven years, and you’ll be surprised to see that it shows less skin than many other ads, including Mindy’s Nationwide spot.
Sexy ads might be a Super Bowl staple, but some companies are trying to make their spots stand out by getting creative instead of showing skin. Take Bud Light, for example. According to Brand Channel , the beer company is airing an ad that will take nostalgic viewers on a trip back to the days when playing video games didn’t involve listening to a 12-year-old hurling racial epithets over a headset.
In the full commercial below, a lucky bar patron gets to play a human version of Pac-Man after inserting a giant quarter in a giant slot.
“Get inspired by the #UpForWhatever messages on Bud Light bottles and you might get led into a real-life game of PacMan like one Bud Light fan who was #UpForWhatever. #SB49,” the caption below Bud Light’s YouTube video reads.
Snickers is also taking Super Bowl fans back in time with a Brady Bunch -inspired ad spot that reveals what happens to Marsha Brady whenever she’s hungry. It’s a good thing there’s a hairbrush in her hand and not a machete.
Pepsi is sponsoring the Super Bowl halftime show starring Katy Perry, so of course its ad is about getting hyped for halftime. It stars Craig Robinson in a fake movie trailer that looks marginally better than the one for Hot Tub Time Machine 2 .
Cute animals are always a staple in Super Bowl ads, so it’s no surprise that Budweiser is bringing back its adorable animal pals: the puppy and the Clydesdale. Unfortunately, the poor pup has gone missing.
Help our rancher find his puppy, and you could win tickets to the Super Bowl. Watch to learn how. #BestBuds #sweeps https://t.co/m9mW6WbYIN
— Budweiser (@Budweiser) January 21, 2015
After ball deflategate and all the controversial ref calls , are you looking forward to the Super Bowl ads more than the game this year?
[Image credit: Nationwide]