Everyone is always talking about the violence of today’s video games. For this year’s Super Bowl spot, Coca-Cola took one of those video games and gave it a little twist to teach us all a little something about love. In this commercial spot, a character from the video game “Grand Theft Auto” drives haphazardly up to a small convenience store. The owner, who believes he’s about to be robbed, is a little more than shocked when the man grabs a Coke and pays for it before leaving. The man exits onto the street, stops a sports car, and gives the stunned driver a Coke. A man on the side of the street sings a song about giving “a little love” in a soft, mellow tune until our better-known-as-a-thief figure tosses a large wad of cash into his guitar case. The music instantly picks up tempo, and we follow the character on his way down the street as he continues these random acts of kindness. He puts out a street fire; retrieves a stolen purse for an elderly woman; gives a homeless man his leather jacket; and so on throughout the commercial. Towards the end, the entire city becomes wrapped up in this perpetual scene of love, with cops dancing with their prisoners, folks with “The end is near” signs turning to reveal “Give a little love” signs, and all celebrating the love. . . of Coca-Cola, of course.
This commercial works particularly well for the video-gaming audience, or anyone familiar with the popular “Grand Theft Auto” games. Watching the figure who is usually seen toting a firearm or two-or three-stealing cars, and otherwise wreaking havoc choose instead to enact compassion on his fellow man-and woman-can’t help but bring a smile to a viewer’s face. The final scene is one worthy of the biggest Broadway stage as the entire city comes together to sing and dance to the idea of giving a little love, because-as the commercial is quick to point out-“You’re gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do.”
Overall, this is a nice, heartwarming reminder of the power of a little kindness. It only helps the Coca-Cola Company that the joy of this advertisement is centered around the image of its product! There are subtle reminders throughout the commercial that this is, indeed, a Coca-Cola commercial; yet the overriding idea of giving a little love serves both as a reminder of love’s authority and a memorable marketing tool from the company. It’s a great reminder that we can all benefit from: “You give a little love and it all comes back to you.”
Check out this heartwarming commercial here:
