Little Caesars will make its Super Bowl debut with a 30-second ad poised to "take advantage of the nationwide audience to announce it now offers delivery," according to Sheila Dang of REUTERS. Teasers promoting the ad star actor Rainn Wilson playing the CEO of a fictional company called Sliced Bread. He "descends into madness trying to keep his company on top since Little Caesars' deliver service has become 'the next best thing since sliced bread'" (REUTERS, 1/22). The ad is "set to run during the second pod in the game's third quarter." McKinney, Omaha, took over as the pizza chain's agency of record in early November (ADAGE.com, 1/22). A 30-second spot in Fox' broadcast are going for as much as $5.6M, but Little Caesars CMO Jeff Klein said, "If we didn't have news that we thought was worth the investment, we wouldn't be here" (CNBC.com, 1/22).
GUITAR WORLD: AD AGE's Jeanine Poggi reports Hard Rock Int'l will "make its first foray into the Super Bowl" with a 60-second ad directed by Michael Bay set for the "ad break before the halftime show." The ad, via VaynerMedia, was shot at the "guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel & Casino" in Hollywood, Fla. Hard Rock Int'l Chair Jim Allen indicated that the ad is a "mini-story on which the company can expand following the game." The ad comes as Super Bowl LIV will be played at Hard Rock Stadium (ADAGE.com, 1/22).
BETTER TOGETHER: PRO SOCCER USA's Julia Poe reported USWNT players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris "will be two of at least six people featured in Budweiser's commercial spot" during the game. The two, who also play for the NWSL Orlando Pride, got married last month, and their journey will be "among four stories featured through the commercial" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 1/21). Meanwhile, A-B InBev yesterday put a teaser on Twitter highlighting the people "who inspired, and will star in," the ad. The teaser "does not show what the stars are watching" on a TV screen, but it "does show how affecting they found the David Miami-directed spot" (ADWEEK.com, 1/21).
DEATH OF A SALESMAN? AD AGE's Jessica Wohl reported Planters has "leaked what appears to be its upcoming Super Bowl spot." The company's Mr. Peanut mascot and two friends "take a scenic drive on a winding road" when an "animal gets in their way." The three passengers are "flung from the Nutmobile" and "hang on a branch for dear life." It is then that Mr. Peanut "makes the ultimate sacrifice" and a black screen appears with the text: "Mr. Peanut, 1916-2020." There is "no word yet on whether this is the official Super Bowl ad, and if so, if it was leaked intentionally" (ADAGE.com, 1/21).
SWEET MUSIC: PEOPLE.com's Mary Honkus noted musicians Missy Elliott and H.E.R. "will be appearing in Pepsi's highly anticipated game-day ad." The 30-second spot "will promote Pepsi Zero Sugar, the brand's sugar-free cola and its new matte black cans and tabs" (PEOPLE.com, 1/21).
