Budweiser’s ‘Puppy Love’ Ad Wins Super Bowl Viewers’ Hearts

The Super Bowl didn’t quite deliver the nail-biting football drama fans were promised. Analysts had predicted a tight showdown between the NFL’s two best teams, but instead, Super Bowl XLVIII turned into a one-sided affair. Seattle dominated from start to finish, cruising to a decisive 43–8 victory over Denver, leaving viewers with little suspense by halftime.

Yet while the game itself fell short of expectations, another Super Bowl tradition unfolded exactly as predicted: Budweiser once again stole the spotlight with an emotional commercial that captured the hearts of millions.

Budweiser’s sentimental ad, titled “Puppy Love,” emerged as the clear favorite among Super Bowl viewers, winning USA Today’s annual Super Bowl Ad Meter — the most closely watched ranking of commercials aired during the big game. The result reaffirmed what many already suspected: when it comes to Super Bowl advertising, few brands understand emotional storytelling better than Budweiser.

The winning formula was simple but powerful. A playful puppy, newly adopted from a farm, forms a bond with a majestic Budweiser Clydesdale horse. Though the puppy is taken away to his new home, he repeatedly escapes and makes his way back to the horse he loves. The story builds quietly, relying not on dialogue or spectacle, but on loyalty, persistence, and the unmistakable emotional connection between two unlikely friends.

According to USA Today, the ad scored highest among 6,272 online voters, edging out dozens of high-budget, star-studded commercials. “Never mind that it aired with just two minutes left in a dog of a game,” the paper wrote, noting that “Puppy Love” resonated deeply with audiences despite the lopsided score on the field.

The commercial’s late placement didn’t hurt its impact. In fact, some viewers may have been more receptive, emotionally speaking, as the outcome of the game was already decided. The soft, heartfelt tone offered a welcome contrast to the night’s lack of football drama.

Budweiser YouTube

Budweiser had reason to be confident. The company released the ad online a week before the Super Bowl, where it quickly became a fan favorite. Its early popularity mirrored the success of a similar Budweiser spot the previous year, which also topped the Ad Meter rankings. The brand’s continued success highlights the enduring appeal of emotional storytelling in advertising — particularly when animals are involved.

“Puppy Love” wasn’t the only ad to score well with USA Today’s panelists. Doritos earned strong showings with its humorous spots “Cowboy Kid” and “Time Machine.” Budweiser’s patriotic tribute “Hero’s Welcome” also resonated with viewers, while Radio Shack’s nostalgic “Phone Call” rounded out the list of top performers.

Still, the overall tone of this year’s Super Bowl commercials marked a noticeable shift. According to The New York Times, many advertisers moved away from the edgy, shock-driven ads seen in recent years. Instead, the majority of commercials broadcast nationally during Super Bowl XLVIII focused on warmth, humor, and emotional comfort.

“Most of the commercials sought to invoke fuzzy feelings that would warm the cockles of consumer hearts, if not MetLife Stadium,” the newspaper observed. Audiences were encouraged, time and again, to forget their worries, smile, and embrace feel-good moments — whether through nostalgia, humor, or heartfelt storytelling.

In that context, Budweiser’s “Puppy Love” stood out not because it was flashy or loud, but because it was restrained. The ad trusted viewers to connect emotionally without being told how to feel. There were no celebrities, no jokes competing for attention, and no elaborate special effects — just a story about friendship and loyalty that felt timeless.

As Super Bowl advertising continues to evolve, “Puppy Love” serves as a reminder that sometimes the most effective message is also the simplest. In a night filled with noise, Budweiser’s quiet story managed to speak the loudest — proving once again that a puppy, a Clydesdale, and a little heart can still win the biggest stage in advertising.