BALTIMORE, MD — The American Marketing Association (AMA) Baltimore Chapter successfully hosted its first annual The Big Game, Bigger Ads: A Look Back at Super Bowl LIX Commercials That Scored (or Fumbled) in Columbia, MD. The highly anticipated event drew a crowd of over 100 marketing professionals, industry leaders, and advertising enthusiasts for an engaging and insightful evening of commercial analysis.
Held on February 13, 2025—just four days after Super Bowl LIX—attendees gathered at Oversea Distillery to hear an expert panel of marketing professionals break down the most talked-about ads of the year. The panel, serving as referees, evaluated each commercial’s creative execution, messaging, and overall impact within the broader marketing landscape.
“The inspiration behind The Big Game, Bigger Ads was to create an event that not only analyzed Super Bowl commercials but also made the audience feel involved in the conversation,” said Keisha Clarke-English, president of AMA Baltimore. “Thanks to our planning committee’s hard work and dedication, the event exceeded expectations, sparking lively discussions and highlighting the role of creative marketing in today’s world.”
AMA Baltimore carefully curated a lineup of 14 commercials from six major industries, including automotive, consumer goods, and technology. These ads were showcased in a head-to-head format, allowing attendees to experience them in real-time before the panelists delivered their expert commentary.
The All-Star Panel of Refs Included:
Home Team
Joshua Lukin
Sr. Director, Brand Strategy & Advertising, The Baltimore Ravens
Jen Glass
Senior Director, Media, Hilton
Away Team
Tierra Brown
Chief of Marketing Communications, Baltimore City Department of Public Works
Bill Harper
CEO and Chief Creative Officer, BrandBossHQ
Facilitator:
Dr. Ronald C. Williams
Associate Professor of Management and Founding Director of the CSU Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship, Coppin State University
Learn more about the panelists and facilitator here.
“The energy in the room was electric,” said Lisa Salvatore, vice president of AMA Baltimore programming. “It was incredible to see both the panel and attendees passionately dissect each commercial’s effectiveness. The level of engagement and discussion truly reflected the importance of strategic advertising in today’s market.”
The night’s analysis featured six head-to-head debate rounds evaluating the following ad spots:
Heat 1 – Beer/Beverage
- Home Team – Stella Artois
- Away Team – Coors Light (Winner!)
Heat 2 – Technology
Heat 3 – Auto
Heat 4 – Food/Restaurant
Heat 5 – Technology
Heat 6 – Sports
- Home Team – NFL Flag Football
- Away Team – NIKE (Winner!)
As the analysis wrapped up, the panel found themselves at a tie at the end of the final heat—leading to an exciting overtime round where two final commercials were put to the test: Pringles versus Little Caesars. Although both ad spots were highly creative and well-executed, the Home Team’s fight for Pringles ultimately secured the victory – and the mini Vince Lombardi trophy.
The evening concluded with networking opportunities and a shared appreciation for the creativity and strategy behind some of the year’s biggest ad campaigns.
AMA Baltimore extends its gratitude to the attendees, panelists, and sponsors who made this inaugural event a resounding success. With such an enthusiastic response, The Big Game, Bigger Ads is set to become a must-attend annual tradition for marketers and advertising professionals alike.
For more information on upcoming AMA Baltimore events, visit https://amabaltimore.org/category/events/
AMA Baltimore gratefully acknowledges the support of the event sponsors and partners: gridiron grand sponsor The Baltimore Ravens; quarterback blitz sponsors Goucher College and WBA Research; event partners Oversea Distillery, Pixilated, and Storyfarm; gift bag sponsor Route One Apparel; and video production partner Morton.works.
About AMA Baltimore
The American Marketing Association Baltimore Chapter is Maryland’s leading provider of networking, educational programming, and resources for marketing professionals. AMA Baltimore provides extensive opportunities for marketers to expand their networks, grow professionally, and learn about current industry trends.
SHARE
