I RATE ADS

jtherkal: Ugh. Not only was this not very good, but I had to hear hype about it in advance. That’s right, people are always talking about Super Bowl commercials before the Super Bowl. Consider me officially against that. I like to be surprised. And unless your spot is unquestioningly mind-blowing, keep your mouth shut about it. I just didn’t like this, and when I finally noticed it was a Bieber dressed as an old man in the background at the end, it didn’t help much. F.

sjbooher: Bieber Fever! Bustin’ for Justin! Alliterative B’s — Bieber for Best Buy! I love it. I can’t explain it, but I love it. And ever since Coming To America, I love an “actor” playing multiple roles. I also appreciate that both celebrities involved here are clearly able to poke fun at themselves. It could have been a little better, but B for Bieber.

jtherkal: I love songs. I love Christmas. And as much as I don’t want to like these, as much as I think rewriting a holiday song is an easy way out, as embarassing as it must be to whichever creative sunk low enough to sell this idea through, I can’t help but like it. A little. My first instinct was to fail this. With all of the brilliant ways you could advertise electronics around Christmas, this doesn’t really warrant much notice. But it’s a song, and I sing it in my head.

There’s also a whole YouTube section with more songs and behind the scenes interviews, as if anyone cares. C+.

jtherkal: I don’t know what makes me so furious about these ads. Or maybe I do. I think it’s the fact that these boring little stories are supposed to touch my heart, which will result in the purchase of more electronics. WRONG. Electronics will result in the purchase of more electronics. The feeling of standing in that television section and seeing those glorious TVs, that’s the story. Tell me about a guy who came in looking for a 24″ regular tv, but you sent him home with a 42″ flatscreen HDTV. Tell me how awesome that made him feel. Or better yet, don’t have annoying, jackass employees tell me anything. Show me a giant TV and say GIANT TV! I’m sold. F.

sjbooher: I also despise these. It’s over the top… too sugary good… and complete lies. None of this ish never happened. Sure, ads like all the time, but this is a lie which would only work if it were the truth. Best Buy sits on a throne of lies. F.

jtherkal: The only thing this has going for it is that is plays on the basic truth that buying a new television is one of life’s great moments. It’s sort of a cheap way in to whatever it is they’re advertising. Aside from the idea that shopping for a new television is exciting, I sort of miss what they’re trying to sell. I walk away thinking that I like the commercial, since I love the idea of getting a giant new television, but when I go back and look closer it’s really sort of lame. C-.

sjbooher: But dude… you can use that there little phone box to find out information about your credit card. I think we take for granted the fact that we can use our phones/computers/etc. to find out information like this, but there is a large part of America that is on the other side of the Digital Divide. I really like this ad, much for the reasons you describe. I too love buying tvs. You are also right that the joy comes from something other than the product, but I think that is the case in much of advertising. B+.