The most effective Super Bowl commercials

Because I need a life, I wrote down all of the ads that ran during Sunday's Super Bowl game and took notes on my instant reaction. I came to an interesting conclusion about which ones were the most effective.

Briefly, here are my favorite ads – not necessarily the most effective.
1. The lost puppy rescued from the wild by his Budweiser Clydesdale friend.
2. Bryan Cranston as Breaking Bad's Walter White in a pharmacy for esurance.
3. Pete Rose "in the hall" of his own home for Skechers.
4. A public service announcement about what it means to do things "Like a Girl."
5. Centenarians speak words of wisdom for Dodge, founded in 1914. "You learn a lot in 100 years."

But the most effective? Jeff Bridges sitting in a chair, running his finger around the edge of an earthen mug, and chanting like a Gregorian monk, with the subtitle "www.DreamingWithJeff.com."

Why is this the most effective, at least for me? Because later that night I went to DreamingWithJeff.com to find out what the heck that commercial was about. I learned about Squarespace and will consider using the product when I get around to redesigning my websites.

And that's the point of spending millions on a single television ad, right? To recoup your investment by making sales. To motivate the viewer to act.

Honorable mention: The trailers for Tomorrowland, an interesting-looking movie I was only dimly aware of, and for Terminator: Genisys, which I wasn't inclined to go watch but now might.

Cross-posted to WarrenBluhm.com.

Super Bowl 49: Mind-boggling plays, puppies and horses, dancing sharks

Super Bowl 49 summary: 

Two mind-boggling plays in the last minute. As for the second one, worst play-call ever. Ever! 

I still love the puppy-Clydesdale ads. Walter White for esurance was best and funniest surprise. Pete Rose in the hall for Skechers also fun. 

Most visually arresting halftime show ever; will see happy sharks and beachballs in my dreams (nightmares?) for years to come.

Cross-posted to WarrenBluhm.com

Five'll get ya ten - 'Mack the Knife' by Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" is one of the most joyful big-band arrangements of all time, which is so strange given that it's basically about a serial killer.

Cleaning up the attic

© Karinabak | Dreamstime.com

Oh, hi. Nothing to see here, just doing a little dusting and cleaning. Come back in a few days and we'll talk.

I want to tell you about what it was like the first time I heard – well, right now I really should finish cleaning. See you soon, OK?