The Best 2025 Super bowl Ads and are they profitable for business?

The Super Bowl isn’t just about football-it’s a showcase for the year’s most creative and expensive ads. At GlobalSell, we’re fascinated by the impact these commercials have on businesses and their bottom lines.

In this post, we’ll explore the best Super Bowl ads of 2025 and analyze their profitability. We’ll look at viewer ratings, social media buzz, and the long-term effects on brand value to determine if these high-stakes marketing gambles pay off.

Which Super Bowl 2025 Ads Stole the Show?

The Super Bowl 2025 brought a fresh wave of creativity and innovation to the advertising world. We analyzed the most impactful commercials, focusing on social media buzz, viewer ratings, and groundbreaking creativity. Here’s our breakdown of the ads that truly stole the show.

Social Media Sensations

Uber Eats’ “Century of Cravings” ad emerged as the clear winner among Gen Z viewers, scoring an impressive 4.25 out of 5 in ratings. The ad’s success on social platforms (like TikTok and Instagram) showcased the power of targeting younger demographics with relatable content. Hootsuite’s tracking revealed that Uber Eats generated over 1 million mentions across social media within 24 hours of the ad airing.

Mountain Dew’s “Kiss From a Lime” also made waves online, ranking in the top 5% for social power according to Ipsos. The ad sparked lively discussions on TikTok, with users recreating scenes and participating in related challenges. This demonstrated the potential of interactive campaigns to engage audiences beyond the initial broadcast.

Viewer Favorites

Hellmann’s “When Sally Met Hellmann’s” resonated strongly with audiences, scoring high in memorability benchmarks. The ad’s clever use of nostalgia and humor, combined with star power, proved to be a winning formula. According to Ipsos, it exceeded industry standards for ad recall by 22%.

Little Caesars and Pringles ads also stood out, ranking in the top 1% of all ads analyzed by Ipsos for sales impact and brand equity. These commercials showcased how creative concepts can deliver significant value, even in a crowded advertising space.

Breaking New Ground

Novartis’ “Your Attention, Please” ad broke healthcare advertising norms while promoting breast cancer awareness. The ad’s innovative storytelling techniques placed it among the top performers, despite the general tendency for pharma TV ads to score poorly with audiences.

Google’s “Dream Job” commercial utilized both artificial and human intelligence in its creation process. This unique approach to ad development placed it among the top 10% of ads for reinforcing long-term brand equity, according to EDO’s measurements of online searches and website traffic generated post-airing.

The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s ad, while controversial, sparked important conversations about social issues. Despite mixed reviews on its execution, it demonstrated how brands can use the Super Bowl platform to address serious topics beyond product promotion.

As we move forward to examine the impact of these ads on business performance, it’s clear that the most successful Super Bowl 2025 commercials combined creativity, cultural relevance, and strategic targeting to maximize their impact. The next section will explore how these creative efforts translated into tangible business results.

Do Super Bowl Ads Boost Business?

Super Bowl ads represent the pinnacle of marketing, but their impact on business performance remains a topic of debate. We examined the data to determine how these high-profile commercials affect companies’ bottom lines.

Short-Term Sales Spikes

New finance consumers demand digital services that will be on par with what they get from their tech providers. As they worked at home and were confined to their residences, this trend has accelerated. This shift in consumer behavior may impact how companies approach their marketing strategies, including high-profile advertising events like the Super Bowl.

However, not all brands experience this immediate payoff. A Kellogg School of Management study found that only about 20% of Super Bowl ads produce statistically significant short-term sales increases. This suggests that while the potential for a quick sales boost exists, it’s far from guaranteed.

Brand Recognition and Recall

One area where Super Bowl ads excel is in enhancing brand recognition and recall. A Kantar study revealed that brands advertising during the Super Bowl see an average 12% increase in purchase intent among viewers. This translates to improved brand awareness and consideration in the weeks following the game.

Ipsos reported that Little Caesars and Pringles ads from Super Bowl 2025 ranked in the top 1% for brand equity impact. This demonstrates how effective Super Bowl ads can significantly enhance a brand’s position in consumers’ minds.

Long-Term Brand Value

The long-term impact of Super Bowl ads on brand value presents intriguing results. An index of policy uncertainty based on news articles, co-developed by Nick Bloom, a Stanford University economist, has reached levels last seen during previous periods of economic uncertainty. This broader economic context may influence how companies perceive the value of high-profile advertising investments like Super Bowl commercials.

Google’s “Dream Job” ad from Super Bowl 2025 exemplifies this potential. The ad placed in the top 10% for reinforcing long-term brand equity (according to EDO’s measurements). This suggests that innovative approaches to ad creation can yield substantial long-term benefits.

However, not all Super Bowl ads deliver this long-term value. Brands must carefully consider their ad strategy to ensure it aligns with their overall marketing goals and brand identity. A poorly executed or misaligned ad can actually harm long-term brand value, despite the high-profile nature of the Super Bowl.

The effectiveness of Super Bowl ads varies widely, and their impact depends on numerous factors. As we explore in the next section, the substantial costs associated with these ads raise an important question: Are Super Bowl commercials truly worth the investment for businesses?

Are Super Bowl Ads a Smart Investment?

The High Cost of Super Bowl Advertising

Super Bowl ads represent the pinnacle of marketing, but their hefty price tag raises questions about their true value. In 2025, the average cost for a 30-second Super Bowl commercial reached a staggering $8 million. This figure marks a significant increase from $5 million in 2017, highlighting the growing investment required to participate in this high-stakes advertising event.

Analyzing the Return on Investment

The ROI for Super Bowl ads varies widely. A study by Kantar revealed that only about 20% of Super Bowl commercials result in statistically significant short-term sales increases. This suggests that the majority of advertisers may not see immediate financial returns from their multi-million dollar investments.

However, some brands have found success. Doritos’ fan-made commercial from Super Bowl 2025 generated a 35% increase in online sales in the week following the game (according to EDO data). This case demonstrates that when executed well, Super Bowl ads can drive tangible business results.

Long-Term Brand Building Potential

Many advertisers justify the high costs by focusing on long-term brand building rather than immediate sales boosts. Google’s “Dream Job” ad from Super Bowl 2025 exemplifies this approach. The ad ranked in the top 10% for reinforcing long-term brand equity, as measured by EDO.

This long-term perspective aligns with findings from System1, which evaluated viewer sentiment to predict each advertisement’s ability to drive long-term profit and market share. Their analysis showed that emotionally resonant ads, even without direct product promotion, can significantly enhance brand value over time.

Alternative Marketing Strategies

For businesses questioning the value of Super Bowl ads, alternative marketing strategies offer compelling ROI potential. Digital marketing campaigns provide more targeted reach at a fraction of the cost. A well-executed social media campaign can generate significant engagement and brand awareness for as little as $50,000 to $100,000 – a stark contrast to the millions spent on Super Bowl spots.

Influencer partnerships represent another cost-effective alternative. Beauty brand Glossier attributed 70% of its growth to influencer marketing, spending far less than a Super Bowl ad while achieving substantial brand recognition and sales increases.

Making the Decision

The decision to invest in a Super Bowl ad should stem from a careful analysis of a company’s marketing objectives, target audience, and overall brand strategy. While these high-profile commercials can deliver significant brand exposure, businesses must weigh this against the potential for more targeted, cost-effective marketing alternatives that may offer a higher ROI.

Final Thoughts

Super Bowl 2025 ads showcased creativity and innovation, with standouts like Uber Eats’ “Century of Cravings” and Google’s “Dream Job.” These commercials demonstrated the evolving landscape of Super Bowl advertising, pushing creative boundaries and sparking conversations. The business impact varied, with some brands experiencing immediate sales spikes while others focused on long-term brand building.

The $8 million price tag for a 30-second spot raises questions about ROI, especially when only a fraction of Super Bowl ads lead to significant short-term sales increases. Brands must approach Super Bowl advertising with a clear strategy and realistic expectations. Alternative marketing strategies might offer better ROI for specific goals, depending on a company’s objectives and target audience.

At GlobalSell, we provide comprehensive news coverage to help you stay informed about marketing trends and business strategies. Our curated news service offers diverse perspectives on current events, including analysis of major advertising campaigns like Super Bowl ads. GlobalSell empowers you to make more informed decisions for your business in today’s dynamic environment.