Caroline Downey

When multi-million-dollar Super Bowl commercial spots attempt to capture the cultural zeitgeist, the results range from brilliant comedic hits to tone-deaf corporate flops. Caroline Downey breaks down the best and worst ads from the Big Game, dissecting which brands delivered genuine humor, heartwarming storytelling, or iconic star power—and which ones stumbled with cringe-inducing messaging or try-hard virtue signaling. Unpacking how top marketing agencies navigate massive budgets, celebrity cameos, and shifting consumer expectations, Caroline analyzes why some Super Bowl commercials resonate as timeless cultural moments while others instantly fail to connect with football fans. What do this year’s top hits and embarrassing misses reveal about the state of American advertising, corporate branding, and public fatigue with forced messaging during major cultural events? Watch Caroline’s full analysis, leave your thoughts below, and subscribe to National Review!