In this weekly Throwback Thursday series, we surface memorable TV advertising spots from days past – ones that made us laugh, inspired us, or sparked an affinity for a brand.
The talk of the town leading up to this year’s Super Bowl may be #DeflateGate, but in the advertising world, nothing can deflate the anticipation of seeing some of the year’s best advertising. We’ve seen the industry’s best work showcased during the big game, and #DeflateGate or not, you know we’ll be watching the game come Sunday.
Super Bowl ads have inspired many a cultural meme over the years, but perhaps none as much as the classic “Wassup” campaign from Budweiser. The original “Wassup True” spot aired in 1999 on Monday Night Football, but it wasn’t until the 2000 Super Bowl that the campaign truly took off. The spot captured the laid-back camaraderie and bro-ship of young men (and their beer). Audiences identified with it, and the spot blew up like no other Budweiser campaign before.
Soon thereafter, references to “Wassup” appeared seemingly everywhere, from video spoofs to references on SNL, the Grammys, and even in the film, Scary Movie. Budweiser officially retired the campaign in 2003, but only after it became an indelible moment in pop culture history.
What’s your favorite Super Bowl spot? Let us know in the comments section below!