Super Bowl Ad Challenge: Get Noticed, Avoid Irking Viewers

  • Marketers adapt to Covid challenges on both sides of camera
  • Coca-Cola, Hyundai among major brands sitting out this time
Character from Mountain Dew’s upcoming Super Bowl ad

Source: TBWA/Chiat/Day New York

When Mountain Dew released a teaser of its new Super Bowl commercial last week, the clip featured a computer-animated dog made of watermelons -- and no people.

That was by design. With Covid-19 still spreading, Mountain Dew’s ad agency made the spot with as small a crew as possible and as far apart as the team could keep them. Producers watched the shoot from home. A backup crew was ready to replace anyone who tested positive.