Google’s Superbowl Commercial: Parisian Love

by Ryan M. Healy

in Advertising, Business, Case Studies

Imagine my surprise as I watched the Superbowl and saw a TV commercial for Google! I’m not sure whether or not it’s their first TV commercial, but I don’t recall ever seeing one before.

What I love about Google’s commercial — called “Parisian Love” — is how it builds a compelling story through search phrases.

They don’t come out and say “We’re the best at search!” — they merely paint a picture of travel and love and new beginnings… and Google’s role in that story. Here’s the commercial so you can see it for yourself:




{ 12 comments }

3 John Deck February 8, 2010 at 11:59 am

Interesting commercial. Puts a new spin on what Glenn Livingston calls the search continuum.

John Deck

4 Ryan Healy February 8, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Hmmm… read your blog post.

The ad is aimed at consumers. It encourage them to use Google to search. And I think it does a good job in this respect.

If they had tried to encourage consumers to click on paid ads, that would have confused the main point of the ad. And I don't think it stops people from clicking on paid ads.

If the the ad had been aimed at online business owners, then Adwords would have been the focus, and it would have been a completely different ad.

Ryan

5 Ryan Healy February 8, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Absolutely.

6 Retail$mart February 8, 2010 at 3:03 pm

I think it misses the mark and blogged as such.
http://retailsmart.com.au/2010/02/08/what-is-wr...

What is the real message? Should good ads not be more than feelgood?

7 davidtendrich February 8, 2010 at 6:40 pm

Inspiring commercial.

I think all big brands go through a similar story… In the beginning they have to prove themselves through benefits and usefulness… Then they become the norm after being spread by word of mouth… Then they become big enough that they merge with the culture.

Like if you check out Nike. At first they positioned themselves as improving athletic ability, and the ads broke down why the shoes did that. Then they became a big mainstream shoe. And now they're so integrated into the culture that their advertising doesn't need to focus all on benefits – it's more about leaving an emotional impression on the viewer, and reminding them of how Nike is such a big part of the culture by showing that the “coolest” NBA players wear it.

I think this commercial shows that Google recognizes they're in that last stage, and they're milkin it for all it's worth ;-). Anyways, just my two cents :-)

-David

8 colinyjchung February 8, 2010 at 7:06 pm

Maybe I'm tired and more susceptible to sappiness right now… but that commercial gave me feel good shivers.

9 Ryan Healy February 9, 2010 at 8:44 am

Oh, c'mon. You cried, didn't you. ;-)

10 Ryan Healy February 9, 2010 at 8:46 am

Good insights, David. Thanks for sharing them.

What you said about Google may be true, but I'd say that the use of a story in an ad can work well no matter what stage of development a company is in.

Ryan

11 Ryan Healy February 9, 2010 at 3:44 pm

Oh, c'mon. You cried, didn't you. ;-)

12 Ryan Healy February 9, 2010 at 3:46 pm

Good insights, David. Thanks for sharing them.

What you said about Google may be true, but I'd say that the use of a story in an ad can work well no matter what stage of development a company is in.

Ryan

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