--- title: The 2021 Ad Bowl winners are...!!! description: The most exciting time in the advertising year has come! Super Bowl Insights are in and what an unprecedented year it has been. Over 96 million people watched the US Super Bowl, and brands paid over $5 million for just a 30s slot. The best and brightest were put forth, and we saw many familiar brands returning, including Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Cheetos and Pepsi. However, we certainly felt the affects of the Pandemic with some major brands pulling out from this year’s advertising pool. The av image: https://blog.lumaresearch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/file-Feb-01-2022-01-12-38-09-AM.jpg --- [Luma Research ![Luma Research](https://blog.lumaresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luma%20Research/logo/luma.png?width=122&height=27&name=luma.png) ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/) Open menu [ Contact Us ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/contact) [Luma Research ![Luma Research](https://blog.lumaresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luma%20Research/logo/luma.png?width=122&height=27&name=luma.png) ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/) Close menu [ Who We Are ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/who-we-are) [ What We Do ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/what-we-do) [ add+impact®intelligence ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/add-impact-advertising-intelligence) [ Insights ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/insights) [ News ](https://blog.lumaresearch.com) [ Contact Us ](https://www.lumaresearch.com/contact) ![The 2021 Ad Bowl winners are...!!!](https://blog.lumaresearch.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/file-Feb-01-2022-01-12-38-09-AM.jpg) The most exciting time in the advertising year has come! Super Bowl Insights are in and what an unprecedented year it has been. Over 96 million people watched the US Super Bowl, and brands paid over $5 million for just a 30s slot. The best and brightest were put forth, and we saw many familiar brands returning, including Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Cheetos and Pepsi.    However, we certainly felt the effects of the Pandemic with some major brands pulling out from this year’s advertising pool. The average scores across our study were the lowest we’ve ever seen for the Super Bowl. Brands played it safe and in some cases so safe that the ads didn't cut through or engage.    That being said, we still saw some world-class ads and some definite advertising winners, including some from first-time Super Bowl advertisers. Most of the ads build moments of joy, normalcy or escapism which was fitting given the year that was 2020. We also saw a lot of nostalgia via movies and music, celebrities and humour.    The top 5 most effective ads for the 2021 Super Bowl were Indeed, Doritos, NFL, Scotts & Miracle Grow and M&Ms.  **Indeed - The Rising**         The Rising took first place this year. The ad is likeable and engaging and people readily identify with it. Scored highly in casting, music and empathy. Huge congratulations to Indeed for their first Super Bowl ad. **Doritos - Flat Matthew**     [#FlatMatthew](https://www.lumaresearch.com/blog/hashtags/FlatMatthew) was the second most effective ad. It was funny and relatable and supported by a star-studded cast (Kaling, Kimmel and McConaughey) and the famous Queen track. This ad was also lined up nicely with pre-Super Bowl teasers that helped drive engagement. **NFL - As One** NFL’s As One trailer reflected the mood and sentiment of the last year. The message is powerful and people readily identify with it. The ad scored highly in bonding, as well as casting and empathy. Although a very different tone from NFL’s previous ads, the brand created another star this year. **Scotts & Miracle-Gro**         Keep Growing is a triple threat with great celebrities, music and humour. The combination made for a strong ad that was likeable and resonated with people. Scotts Miracle-Gro also launched a Tik Tok challenge with John Travolta and his daughter Ella E’s dance. This was the brand’s first time in the Super Bowl. **M&M's - Come Together**         People liked this ad and felt M&Ms are a brand for them. The ad reminds us that small things can help us to come together. Dan Levy was also a popular inclusion, 70% of those who recognised him liked him and 83% thought he was a good fit for the brand. This ad scored well in bonding and relevance. **G****et in touch for free results and reports from our Super Bowl Study. We tested 40+ ads from this year's Super Bowl, and many more results from previous years!** ## From the blog ![FIFA World Cup 2026 When Star Power Isn't Enough](https://blog.lumaresearch.com/hubfs/Picture5-1.png) [FIFA World Cup Insights](https://blog.lumaresearch.com/tag/fifa-world-cup-insights) ### [FIFA World Cup 2026 When Star Power Isn't Enough On paper, Adidas' **Backyard Legends** has everything a 2026 World Cup blockbuster needs. 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