There were many enjoyable – and, yes, forgettable – commercials that aired during Sunday night’s Super Bowl LIII broadcast on CBS. Some were even thought provoking for their content or message.
One advert that drew my attention – and hopefully yours – came near the two-minute warning late in the fourth quarter of the New England Patriot’s 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. It lasted just 60 seconds, but it was a powerful and poignant minute. It was for The Washington Post newspaper, and its narrator was actor Tom Hanks.
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| CNN’s Anderson Cooper |
As you watch, listen to the words that Hanks flawlessly recites while images of the World War II D-Day invasion and first moon landing are shown as well as clips of Fox News’ Bret Baier and CNN’s Anderson Cooper reporting from war zones and natural disasters. One of the final images gives special tribute to slain Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered last fall after entering the Saudi consulate in Instanbul.
“When we go off to war. When we exercise our rights. When we soar to our greatest heights. When we mourn and pray. When our neighbors are at risk. When our nation is threatened. There’s someone to gather the facts. To bring you the story. No matter the cost. Because knowing empowers us. Knowing helps us decide. Knowing keeps us free. Democracy Dies in Darkness.”
While this $10 million commercial (paid for by Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, who also owns Amazon.com) was seen by millions of football fans and casual sports viewers from coast to coast – and, maybe, it will change a few minds, which good advertising does – imagine if the intended audience for this advertisement was just one person, who just happens to be the President of the United States.
Something to think about as the memory of this year’s Super Bowl game fades to black.
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