Bud vs. Goldfish

Beer ads never fail to make me laugh. The funniest commercials in the always-anticipated Super Bowl are always the beer and liquor ads. But what is it about them that make them so funny? Personally, I think it is the reality of the commercials. This directly connects to this ad.
This ad first caught my eye because it drew me in. Most ads focus on people, but this ad truly focuses on the product itself. This ad is for Budweiser Beer. It shows a fish tank full of ice and beer, and the fish on the side in the same type of bag you would bring them home in. I find this absolutely hilarious for the mere fact that I could most definitely see this happening. People in today’s world take alcohol so much more serious than they take a lot of their problems. In a time of recession (or depression), you will still find alcohol sells prospering because people still care more about alcohol than their house note, car note, or any other type of bill. This ad utilizes the appeals of escape, curiosity, and prominence. This ad directly uses the curiosity appeal because its peculiar setting draws a potential consumer in for another look right off the bat. The image of the beer in the fish tank, and the fish outside the tank is nothing in the ordinary. This may draw a potential consumer to think, “Hey, I should try that,” or, “Hey, is Budweiser that good?” This ad also uses the escape appeal. If you look past the fish tank of beer and fish, you will see everyone in the background looking like they are having tons of fun. Especially in a depressing time as our economic situation, the want to escape will most definitely be a convincing appeal. The last appeal that is utilized is the appeal of prominence. This ad will more than likely cause a potential consumer to think, “if I do something like this and buy Budweiser, I will be cool.” The appeal of prominence is all about fitting in and becoming prominent, for lack of a better word. Overall, I find this ad to be truly convincing. If I did not dislike beer so much, I would probably kick my fish out of their tank and fill it with some Bud.