Great creativity deserves its own halftime show.
Super Bowl 2026 is almost here, which means America is gearing up for its annual ritual: snacks, football, and (let’s be honest) the commercials that somehow become more iconic than the game itself.
At Ro•Sham•Bo, we live and breathe creative that sticks. The kind that makes you laugh, cry, or text your group chat “did you SEE that?” So, in the spirit of the season, we asked our team to share the Super Bowl ads that have stayed with them long after the confetti settled.
Spoiler: our picks say a lot about us.
Sam’s Pick: Budweiser – “American Icons” (2026)
Sam grew up on a ranch, rodeo’d, and has a soft spot for anything with horsepower. So, when Budweiser dropped its American Icons spot for Super Bowl LX, featuring Clydesdales, wide open landscapes, and a whole lot of heart, Sam was locked in.
It’s classic Budweiser storytelling: nostalgic, cinematic, and unmistakably American.
Watch It:
Lauren’s Pick: Coinbase – The Bouncing QR Code (2022)
Minimalism isn’t dead; it’s just bouncing around the screen. Lauren loves this ad because it broke every rule and still won the night. No voiceover. No celebrities. No product shots. Just a QR code drifting like a DVD screensaver fever dream.
It was weird. It was bold. It crashed the Coinbase app.
In other words: a masterclass in “you don’t need more, you need different.”
Watch It:
Shanna’s Pick: Snickers – “Betty White” (2010)
Comedy gold and the birth of a tagline that still slaps.
Shanna’s favorite moment? Betty White getting absolutely leveled in a backyard football game and delivering the iconic line, “That’s not what your girlfriend said.”
This ad didn’t just sell candy bars; it revived a brand and reminded the world that Betty White was, and always will be, a legend.
Watch It:
Kandi’s Pick: Old Spice – “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
Kandi appreciates creative that commits. And Old Spice committed hard.
This ad didn’t just introduce a new brand voice, it detonated one. Rapid fire monologue, absurd transitions, a shirtless Isaiah Mustafa on a horse… it was chaotic perfection.
It also changed the trajectory of Old Spice forever. Talk about smelling like success.
Watch It:
Vincent’s Picks: Instacart’s Icon Mashup (2025) + MetLife’s Cartoon Ensemble (2012)
Vincent is our resident “more is more” creative mind, so naturally he gravitates toward ads that throw the entire pop culture pantry into the pot.
Instacart’s 2025 spot mashed together icons from the Jolly Green Giant to Mr. Clean in a way that felt fresh, fun, and delightfully chaotic. It reminded him of another favorite: MetLife’s 2012 commercial featuring a crossover of beloved cartoon characters from Snoopy to Scooby.
These crossovers were literally ‘icon’ic.
Watch Both:
Reba’s Pick: Budweiser – The BudWeisEr Frogs (1995)
Some ads become cultural moments. This one became a phenomenon.
Reba still remembers the first time she heard those three frogs croak out “Bud… Weis… Er.” It was simple, weird, and instantly unforgettable.
The frogs eventually gave way to the “Wasssuup?” era, but their legacy? Untouchable.
Watch It:
Justin’s Pick: Dunkin’ Donuts “The DunKings” (2024)
Justin’s pick goes to Dunkin’s now‑iconic spot starring renowned names including Ben Affleck, Tom Brady, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon, Jack Harlow, and Fat Joe, which leans fully into self-awareness, Boston energy, and unapologetic brand personality. It’s funny without trying too hard, quotable without being forced, and somehow makes a coffee run feel like a cultural moment.
Sometimes the best Super Bowl ads aren’t flashy. They’re just confidently on brand.
Watch It:
Why These Ads Still Matter
Great Super Bowl commercials aren’t just entertainment; they’re brand case studies in real time. They show us what resonates, what risks pay off, and how creativity can shape culture.
From emotional storytelling to absurd humor to minimalist disruption, these ads remind us that bold ideas win hearts (and market share).
And as we head into Super Bowl 2026, one thing is certain: the brands that show up with clarity, courage, and creativity will be the ones we’re still talking about years from now.
If you want help crafting a campaign that earns your brand a spot in someone’s all time favorites list, hit our line!