Snickers “Happy Birthday” Super Bowl Teaser Ad Reimagines Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Performance

Snickers has dropped its first Super Bowl 50 spot, releasing its “Happy Birthday” teaser ad on YouTube this morning with the note, “The Blonde Bombshell salutes Super Bowl 50.”

Filmed in black and white, the spot is a play on Marilyn Monroe’s famous rendition of the “Happy Birthday” song for President John F. Kennedy during his 45th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden.

Taking the stage in a long evening gown, heels and a fur, the singer sounds a lot more like Harvey Fierstein than Marilyn Monroe.

“Since we’re kicking-off the ’50’ celebration of one of the world’s most iconic events it seemed only fitting to cast Marilyn Monroe,” says Snickers director Allison Miazga-Bedrick in a release announcing the teaser ad, “This is just a small glimpse of what America should expect from Snickers on Super Bowl Sunday.”

According to the announcement, the new Snickers commercial is the latest addition to its “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign. Produced by New York’s BBDO, Snickers’ official Super Bowl ad will air during the first quarter of the game.

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Amy Gesenhues

Amy Gesenhues was a senior editor for Third Door Media, covering the latest news and updates for Marketing Land, Search Engine Land and MarTech Today. From 2009 to 2012, she was an award-winning syndicated columnist for a number of daily newspapers from New York to Texas. With more than ten years of marketing management experience, she has contributed to a variety of traditional and online publications, including MarketingProfs, SoftwareCEO, and Sales and Marketing Management Magazine. Read more of Amy's articles.