Ads That Caught Our Attention In 2006

Some made you laugh. Some made you dream. Some made you stop and think about the choices we make. Some were just sexy. Whatever the case may be, these ads stood out in ’06:

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"THE LEBRONS": A marketing rookie no more, LeBron James cements his endorsement prowess with his portrayal of “The LeBrons,” his fictional (and somewhat dysfunctional) family. James plays all the characters, prompting some to opine that James’ acting talents rival his basketball skills.

ADIDAS: It’s the ultimate fantasy game in adidas’ “Impossible Team” ad, as two kids pick their soccer teams among greats like Zidane, Beckham and Beckenbauer and then compete on a dirt field in a highly competitive “friendly.” The game ends when one kid is called home by his mother, who is clearly not a soccer fan.

MAN LAWS: Miller Brewing trumps Anheuser-Busch for most humorous beer commercial with its “Man Laws” ads featuring celebrities from the sports and entertainment world, including Jerome Bettis, Oscar De La Hoya and Ty Murray. These guys can turn hiding beers into an art form.

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"I FEEL PRETTY": Nike often gets its own list for creative and entertaining ads, but we choose Maria Sharapova’s “I Feel Pretty” spot, where she travels from her hotel to the car to the court. The ad plays on Sharapova’s sex appeal and marketability but ultimately accentuates her athleticism.

BURGER KING: Burger King capitalizes on Drew Rosenhaus’ “Next Question” press conference from last year for his client, Terrell Owens. The ad has Rosenhaus playing that same role, this time for The King. Can you get fries with that shake?

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BUDWEISER: Instead of humor, Anheuser-Busch takes a sexier, hipper approach in the ad featuring Jay-Z, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick. It uses clips from a Jay-Z video to promote Budweiser Select and is set to his song “Show Me What You Got.” We’re sure NASCAR appreciates the tie to the hip-hop market as it looks to expand its fanbase.

STEROIDS: MLB and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) created “Shrinking,” an anti-steroid spot featuring a deflating football, volleyball, baseball and basketball, with the not-so-subtle intention of communicating the damaging affects steroids have on the body. The voiceover says steroids can “damage kidneys, destroy the liver, even cause heart attacks and strokes. Not to mention something else they can do to a guy’s body.” Talk about scared straight.