Feb 4, 2017

5 of this year's Super Bowl ads

Via the AP:

  1. Budweiser, "Born the Hard Way": "Anheuser-Busch's cinematic 60-second spot chronicles co-founder Adolphus Busch's journey from Germany to St. Louis in 1857. ... Anheuser-Busch, which started working on the ad in May, says the ad isn't making a political statement."
  2. Bud Light, "Ghost Spuds": "Bud Light is bringing back its iconic 1980s mascot, Spuds Mackenzie, sort of. The dog appears as an unsettling T-shirted ghost. The dog eggs on a Bud Light drinker to go out and join his friends rather than sit at home alone."
  3. Honda, "Yearbooks": "To promote Honda's CR-V vehicle, a 60-second second-quarter ad features high-school yearbook photos for nine celebrities — Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Viola Davis, Missy Elliott, Tina Fey, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Jimmy Kimmel, Stan Lee and Robert Redford."
  4. Mercedes-Benz, "Easy Driver": "To target baby boomers, Mercedes-Benz enlisted the Coen brothers to direct an update to the tune of Steppenwolf's 'Born to be Wild.' Bikers at a bar are furious that their bikes have been blocked by a car — until they realize it's Peter Fonda driving a Mercedes-Benz AMG Roadster."
  5. Squarespace, "Calling John Malkovich": "slated for the first half ... shows a prickly John Malkovich calling the owner of JohnMalkovich.com to yell at him because he wants the domain."

Go deeper

Miriam Kramer
Updated 2 mins ago - Science

Live updates: SpaceX attempts to launch NASA astronauts Saturday

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad. Photo: NASA/Joel Kowsky

At 3:22 p.m. ET today, SpaceX is expected to launch NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station for the first time.

Why it matters: The liftoff — should it go off without a hitch — will be the first time a private company has launched people to orbit. It will also bring crewed launches back to the U.S. for the first time in nine years, since the end of the space shuttle program.

Follow along below for live updates throughout the day...

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 17 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 5,974,938— Total deaths: 365,976 — Total recoveries — 2,529,761 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 1,750,203 — Total deaths: 102,906 — Total recoveries: 406,446 — Total tested: 16,099,515 — Map.
  3. Economy: What U.S. workplaces may look like next — George Floyd's killing and economic calamity are both part of America's unfinished business — The future of mobility in the post-pandemic world.
  4. Public health: CDC pares down guidance on how to reopen houses of worship —  The coronavirus could give bioterrorists ideas, security group warns.
  5. States: New York City will reopen June 8, Cuomo says.
  6. Supreme Court: Chief Justice Roberts sides with liberals in denying challenge to California's pandemic worship rules.
Other resources (<1 min. read)Arrow
Rashaan Ayesh
18 mins ago - Politics & Policy

National Guard heads to Louisville, Ky., to quell protests over fatal March police shooting

Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered 350 National Guard to Lousiville, following two nights of protests against the fatal police shooting in of Breonna Taylor in her home.

Why it matters: Louisville was among the cities to erupt in protest after George Floyd died during an encounter with Minneapolis police, which was a bitter reminder of Louisville's own unresolved extrajudicial killing in March. The officers involved in Taylor's death have been placed on administrative leave but have not been formally charged, according to The New York Times. The FBI announced May 21 it would investigate the Kentucky shooting, per The New York Times.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow