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The top Super Bowl marketing moments (as chosen by you)

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By Doug Zanger, Americas Editor

February 8, 2016 | 4 min read

The votes were tallied and the marketing world had their say on what they felt were the most important Super Bowl marketing moments over the last 50 years. What was most interesting is that there wasn’t exactly one thread or era that dominated. In fact, the moment that logic dictated should be #1 (Apple’s 1984), ended up sitting at #6 in our poll.

If feedback and chatter is any indication, #puppymonkeybaby will end up on the list of top Super Bowl marketing moments from here onward.

Without further ado, the top 10 marketing moments as chosen by you, of the last 50 years of Super Bowl marketing.

Oreo Sitting It Out (4.81 out of 5). It seems rather strange that a brand gets kudos for what they don’t do during the Super Bowl but, after getting a little lucky and capturing a moment in 2013, they realized, quite accurately, that forcing the issue wasn’t going to do anyone any good.

Pepsi: Michael J. Fox (4.80). One of the more likable celebs out there, the Fox and Diet Pepsi combination worked incredibly well in the 80s and 90s. The spots were entertaining, easy to watch and felt like a perfect match.

Halftime in America (4.67). Inspiration. Aspiration. Some tough love, brought to you by a decidedly American brand and presented by one of the most quintessential Americans in, well, American history, Clint Eastwood.

“The Force” (4.50). Emissions scandal be damned (kidding, kind of)! This was the first spot to have a wide, early preview — and is responsible for (or guilty of) the new era of teasers and early releases. Great Star Wars tie in and a cute kid = Super Bowl Gold.

Mean Joe Greene (4.47). It’s nice to see that this example has not been lost to time. For those of us at a certain age (read: middle aged), this spot takes us back to a simpler time. Never underestimate the power of nostalgia.

Apple “1984” (4.40). It cannot be denied that this is likely the “expert pick” for the most important marketing moment in Super Bowl history. But, like Oreo’s “Dunk In The Dark,” it’s hard to replicate something so perfect.

Avocados from Mexico (4.35). That this came out of nowhere to make a marketing impact, shows that good work will always break through. I’m wondering, though, if the creatives were Dave Chappelle fans?

Being Social at Super Bowl (4.16). This one likely should have a “TBD” attached to it. Where are social, brands and the Super Bowl headed? It should be interesting to find out.

Snickers With Danny Trejo and Steve Buscemi (4.14). Yes, the Betty White and Abe Vigoda original was excellent. But, taking “The Brady Bunch” and adding Danny Trejo and Steve Buscemi to the mix? That is inspired creativity.

Letterman/Oprah/Leno (4.00). Letterman and Leno don’t get along. There was a time when Letterman and Oprah didn’t get along. Getting the three of them together was pretty damn solid and it had a bigger impact as a promo than some of the $$$ spots created for the game.

The least important marketing moment of the last 50 years, according to the vote, you ask? It was a two-way tie between the "scandalous" Noxzema ad featuring Farah Fawcett and Joe Namath and Budweiser's anthem to all-things-macro.

Avocados From Mexico Danny Trejo David Letterman

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