Google's Superbowl ad will make you cry a little bit
By Laura June 
posted February 6th 2010 10:35PM
posted February 6th 2010 10:35PM
Admit it: you're crying a little bit now, aren't you?
Now, here's the thing: this ad, from Google's "Search Stories" YouTube channel, is from back in November, but John Battelle says he's got a source telling him that 'Parisian Love' is the one that will air tomorrow night, during the third quarter of the SuperBowl. Either way, Google's Eric Schmidt tweeted that he couldn't wait to watch tomorrow, in addition to something about "hell freezing over." So... that's the first good reason we've heard to tune in. You with us?
And that is how you make an ad... not bad, google.
@LeJay
All I can say is wow. That commercial is well worth the millions they are paying for it. Most effective search engine commercial I have ever seen (and I liked the BING ads...)
@LeJay I never thought of Google as a company that needed to advertise.
@LeJay funny, I found it to be an okay ad, but nowhere near the caliber I would expect during the Superbowl. It isn't really that memorable, and Search is probably the last thing that Google needs to advertise.
@PerryAJ
"nowhere near the caliber I would expect during the Superbowl."
Most Super Bowl commercials range from the juvenile, idiotic or offensive. They rarely live up to the big stage (or money). What does it tell you when the most hyped SB commercial of late was the one with talking babies.
At least this one was well done.
@PerryAJ
They are not simply 'advertising' search. It's about branding Google as a company that understand us and our values. Most people don't care about the technology, but they do care that Google 'understands' that we might not know how to spell Louvre correctly.
@Virus Cannon, most of the audience at the named event `range from the juvenile, idiotic or offensive`, hence those ads are spot-on.
@LeJay
not bad.....
@LeJay Google NEEDS to refresh its maps. Bing trumps Google so hardcore in maps. Newer maps and birds eye view. Get on it Google!
@LeJay we're well beyond wow territory with this ad. No dialogue for a start, which instantly engages the viewer. The visuals built to create a simple, easy to understand narrative - while at the same time helping to convey the power of the product they offer.
Two thumbs up, one of the simplest and most engaging ads I've seen in a long time.
@LeJay
hehehe...
I bet you next year's super bowl this sucka will search for paternity test centers, a private eye, counselors and divorce lawyers.
@LeJay
As bored as I am right now, I ran though the same search terms and it is d*mn near exact as in the commerical. On difference--albeit annoying is the top 5 lines in OUR version are "Sponsored Links"!!
Otherwise, the maps, the results, the speed in results, the auto compelte--all 98% the SAME-- probably one of the most accurate commercials of all time IMO.
It is a very sad ad. I mean grown men with children who have affairs with foreign women, just sad!
@werty1432k
Bing's Bird's Eye is cool, but I found it useless. But, it is really cool.
However, I do admit that Bing map is faster than Google map.
For all practical purposes though, I really don't care.
@ PerryAJ
It is about branding. If you want your company to survive 25+years, you need it, period.
What I find most impressive about this ad is:
a. doesn't need catchy music, cool artwork, flashy stuff to create the brand.
b. doesn't need a celebrity to endorse it.
c. doesn't need a gimick to get your attention (it's a fast rate).
d. It's simple (guys get it) and has a story (gals get it).
e. just shows the product "in action" as is. No soft lighting, sped up sequences (I just did a few of those queries and they show up as fast), no photochopped images, no voice dubs. Pretty shows you the real deal.
f. It's not political (like doing searches on N. Orleans for instance).
As if it wasn't your caliber, well *you're* talking about it (e.g. posted), which was the mission of the ad--Google: mission accomplished.
@LeJay I NEED A GIRLFRIEND!! help me Google!
@recharged95 I get it - it was a good ad, I just think they could have used the marketing dollars to present both the brand AND one/some of the many other lesser known (but very good) products they offer.
They own search, it makes sense to introduce people to something they may not be aware of.
@Ridgecity
Actually, I'm in a foreign culture and going on a date in a few hours and is currently using Google to figure out where to go and what to do. If I do get laid I'll remember to come back here and thank Google. :)
@F C
FC for the muthafrakkin win! That was awesome.
@decypher44
anyone notice at the AA120 part when he has AA12 typed it the entries are all about shotguns? o.O
agreed, what a great ad.
@LeJay The budget for this ad (minus paying to broadcast it during the Super Bowl)? $50 for Camtasia Studio (screen capturing and simple editing software).
Thank you, Google
@Kaitou KID
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2hf4ei0&s=6
ThIs was my favorite SB ad this year!
@incognito
I think you win the award for "Comment of the year 2010".
@LeJay
Best of all, they don't even need to pay for advertising, all simple video editing.
@recharged95
I'm still surprised that they didn't click on the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button once. I figured that they could have worked that into the commercial fairly easy.
*sniff*
*BAWLS* I am no longer a man.
(That did NOT come out right)
@3rdman
I'm a staunch Bing user and this ad made me both want to cry and to switch back to Google. SO GOOD.
@3rdman
coffee, meet monitor.
@3rdman
but you're typing! you can hit backspace! :D
@3rdman If he would have Googled "french tickler", he wouldn't have needed to assemble the crib.
They should have shown the nexus one and the power of android.
@B3astofthe3ast I agree. Google Search running on Nexus One showing the maps and then using the Navigation feature to get to France. Now that would have been an ad.
@ryankage One time I asked my Nexus one for directions to Japan. It told me to drive all the way to Washington, and then to kayak across the pacific.
@B3astofthe3ast So, how was the trip?
@B3astofthe3ast
google directions are a blast. I think they always include u-turns in their directions just for kicks.
@Mysterius
Bravo. Both the mocking and the comeback were top-notch.
Boo hoo.
Yeah I'm not buying it... This has nothing to do with hell freezing over. My guess is that Apple has finally allowed Google Voice on the iPhone, and this is the beginning of cell phone companies becoming dumb pipes! Allelujah!!!!!
@Dubya I have a feeling you're right. That's the only logical explanation for that "Hell Freezing over" statement. Once allies, becoming nemeses, and BACK to allies. That would actually make a good commercial. Imagine it:
An Apple and a Google fighting, then becoming friends. Splendid.
You got this one on the bud, buddy. Or, in terms of football: BUD-WISE-ER!
@Dubya
Actually he is probably referring to the Saints winning the SB. Its something that's been said many a time before. In fact in the radio broadcast for the NFC Championship Jim said it after Hartley split the uprights right before he broke down crying with joy.
WHO DAT!
@Edopeno
Well that would be nice. Although it would make SJ looks like an idiot after his recent comments about Google.
@Col Readily Apparent that's what I am thinking as well. It was great to hear Jim Henderson call that kick...pigs have flown and hell has frozen over, the Saints are going to the Superbowl!
Who Dat!
@Dubya
I'm guessing that "hell freezing over" refers to Google having a television ad, since their long history of success has been driven mostly on word-of-mouth.
Let me educate you engadgeters to the meaning of "hell freezing over".
He is referring to the saints winning the super bowl but it is a reference to the late saints broadcaster Bernard Dilibeto.
Bernard was the person who started wearing a paper bag over his head at games which soon became a popular way of bashing the "aints"
He said that hell would freeze over when the saints made the super bowl... lol so Eric Schmidt has nothing evil or surprising planned besides rooting for his team.
What is blue fairy...?
@Dew AI!!!! Spielberg!!!!!!
This is going to be parodied SO hard in the coming days.
With the super creepy google suggest entries.