The War on Cars

Super Bowl Roundup with Rollie Williams and Nicole Conlan

Feb 11, 2025

Rollie Williams, host of Climate Town, and Nicole Conlan, writer for The Daily Show, dive into the world of Super Bowl ads and their cultural impacts. They analyze the notable absence of car commercials and how this reflects societal shifts toward urban and suburban divides. Their discussion includes a humorous critique of the narratives around oversized trucks and a look at Jeep's attempt to bridge political divides. The conversation touches on nostalgia, identity, and the evolving portrayal of cars in advertising today.

01:21:42

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Episode guests

Nicole Conlan

Rollie Williams

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses the cultural shift in Super Bowl car ads, highlighting a move from traditional masculinity to themes of inclusivity and diversity.

A notable decline in automotive advertising during the Super Bowl signifies changing market trends and consumer preferences towards electric vehicles and digital platforms.

The hosts explore the potential for progressive narratives within automotive advertising, advocating for a focus on collective transportation and sustainability in future campaigns.

Deep dives

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Intro

2min

Annual Super Bowl Ad Roundup and Cultural Reflections

2min

From Parking to Super Bowl Insights

11min

Security, Ads, and Urban Planning

11min

Cars, Ads, and Suburban Life

9min

Super Bowl Ad Shenanigans

3min

Urban vs Suburban Parenting: A Humorous Debate

5min

Humorous Reflections on 'The Fast and the Furious'

2min

California Roads and Super Bowl Shenanigans

10min

10.

Truck Tales and Masculine Myths

3min

11.

Jeep's Super Bowl Narrative

5min

12.

Nostalgia and Unity in Advertising

4min

13.

Marketing SUVs: Adventure vs. Reality

3min

14.

The Luxury of Walkability: An Economic Perspective

2min

15.

Analysis of Quirky Pharmaceutical Advertisement

2min

16.

The Shift in Super Bowl Advertising: From Cars to Abstract Concepts

2min

17.

The Evolving Role of Cars in American Culture and Advertising

2min

18.

Humor, Merchandise, and a Call for Creative Advertising

2min

19.

Reclaiming Freedom: From Cars to Bikes

2min

It’s the CXLIVth episode of The War on Cars, and just like in years past we’re taking a look at the ads that aired during the Super Bowl. This year, there weren’t a whole lot of ads specifically designed to sell cars and trucks, but there was still plenty of car-adjacent stuff to talk about—from ads highlighting the urban/suburban divide to an amazing halftime show from Kendrick Lamar featuring a Buick GNX. Rollie Williams (Climate Town) and Nicole Conlan (The Climate Denier’s Playbook, The Daily Show) join us to talk about some of the commercials that aired during the big game and what they say about the state of our culture, our climate, and our politics.

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Get tickets to our live show on April 24th in Minneapolis, presented by Our Streets.

This episode was produced with support from the Helen and William Mazer Foundation and Cleverhood. Listen for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling.

LINKS:

Watch Climate Town on YouTube.

Listen to The Climate Denier’s Playbook.

Check out Rollie’s billiards channel on YouTube.

Here’s how Kendrick Lamar’s production team found a Buick GNX for his halftime show. (Wired)

Missed this year’s ads? You can watch most of them here.

Watch Harrison Ford in “Owner’s Manual,” an ad for Jeep.

“Car Brands Have Been Pumping the Brakes on Super Bowl Ads” (AdWeek)

Why State Farm opted out of this year’s game. (CBS News)

Read Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster by Mike Davis and pick up other books in our official Bookshop.org store.

Pick up official podcast merch in our store.

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