By Heather Taylor, Editor-in-Chief, PopIcon
If you have any doubts that brand mascots are fading into obscurity, the commercials for Super Bowl LIX prove advertising’s hardest working characters are so back.
This year’s batch of Big Game teasers hint at the return of the NERDS, introduce newcomers like the Duracell Scientist, and feature an all-star lineup of beloved icons like the Energizer Bunny, Pillsbury Doughboy, Mr. Clean, and many more.
Time for a roll call! Here’s who to watch out for on Sunday February 9 during Super Bowl 59.
“We’re Here” | Instacart
We guessed more brand mascots would show up in the final Game Day commercial from Instacart and our guesses were spot on! Created by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA, “We’re Here” shows beloved mascots coming together as part of the care that goes into every order fulfilled through the grocery delivery company.
New and old mascots alike make appearances in the final Game Day spot including:
- Chester Cheetah (Cheetos)
- Puppy Monkey Baby (Mountain Dew)
- Heinz Wiener Dogs (Heinz)
- Green Giant (Green Giant)
- Mr. Clean (Mr. Clean)
- Kool-Aid Man (Kool-Aid)
- Energizer Bunny (Energizer)
- Old Spice Guy (Old Spice)
“Built Different” | Duracell
The newly launched Duracell Scientist will make an appearance in Duracell’s first Super Bowl 59 ad from VaynerMedia.
We’ve got nothing against the Scientist, but um, did everyone else forget about Duracell’s bunny mascot? In a year where the Energizer Bunny has a starring cameo in a Game Day spot, it would have been cool to see the Duracell Bunny come back from retirement.
(Sidebar: what would happen if both bunnies were in the same Game Day ad together? If any agencies or creatives are reading this, remember to credit PopIcon for our “Bunny vs. Bunny” Super Bowl commercial idea.)
“Something Wonderful Is Coming” | NERDS
Ferrara Candy’s NERDS made their official debut during Super Bowl 58 alongside pop singer Addison Rae.
The spokescandies are back for Game Day 2025 alongside “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer Shaboozey. And if the teaser is any indication, wonderful things happen when you’re enjoying NERDS Gummy Clusters.
“Pringles Party” | Pringles
Two Pringles teasers have launched from FCB New York: “Eyes to the Sky” and “Pringles Party” starring actors Nick Offerman and Adam Brody, respectively.
While we’re curious about the role Mr. P will play in the final commercial, we’re highlighting “Pringles Party” after seeing all the Pringles canisters simultaneously twitch their eyes and mustaches. What does it mean?
“First Delivery” | Budweiser
Budweiser’s “First Delivery” from FCB takes us on a tearjerking journey alongside a young foal and shows audiences what happens next when the old joke “a horse walks into a bar” manifests itself into reality.
Super Bowl LIX will mark the 47th appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales during the Super Bowl. The icons are inching closer to their 50th Big Game anniversary, which is pacing to occur in 2028.
“Potty-tunity” | Angel Soft
It’s more than okay if you miss Angel Soft’s first-ever Super Bowl debut. The toilet paper company has cleverly made its Game Day commercial a “potty-tunity” enpowering audiences to take bathroom breaks.
Created by Grey New York, the ad stars Angel Soft mascot Angel and will run before the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
“Tropical Warm Ups” | Mountain Dew Baja Blast
Do we dare make another prediction before wrapping up this roll call? We have a pretty strong feeling Mountain Dew Baja Blast Big Game spot will star musician Seal alongside the Mountain Dew Dude.
If this teaser from Goodby Silverstein & Partners is any indication, the “big guy” they’re referring to has to be Seal. Who better than Seal to croon with seals? Our guess was cinched on “Kiss From a Rose” playing off the spot!
About the Author
Heather Taylor is the senior writer and editor-in-chief of PopIcon, Advertising Week’s blog about brand mascots. Got a pitch on brand mascots or want to wax nostalgic about characters? Drop her a line at howveryheather@gmail.com.