Who’s excited for the Super Bowl this weekend?!  Even better, who’s excited for the ads?!  Since the Vikings’ embarrassing season, I have to admit that I’m primarily looking forward to the Super Bowl because of the creative spots.   While throughout most of the year, people claim they hate advertising, this is when the industry shines.  Most agencies base their strategy on making the funniest ad.  Winners in years past have been Dortitos, Snickers and various car companies.  This year is no different, with car companies in particular creating expensive ads that they have been promoting for weeks in advance.

This is a great way for advertisers to milk more value out of their Super Bowl spots, which are reportedly costing a record-breaking $3.5 million this year.  To gain buzz online, they’re releasing videos early, providing extended videos, allowing fans to vote on their favorites, incorporating hashtags, and even developing apps.

By using these various strategies, companies are able to build excitement over their spot and get people talking online.  The goal is to build buzz and allow people to share the videos with their friends.  Numerous ads have already been extremely popular on social media.  This year, the dominant players in the ad game are car companies.  Here are some of our favorites:

- An extended two-minute ad for the 2012 Honda CR-V features Matthew Broderick reviving his role as Ferris Bueller.  The video includes numerous small references to the film, which viewers have loved finding and discussing.  As of today, the video has over 10 million views on YouTube!

- After the unbelievable success of Volkwagen’s “The Force” ad (which was the most watched ad on YouTube last year), they have decided to stick with the “Star Wars” theme.  This year’s “The Bark Side” teaser trailer features an assortment of adorable pups barking “The Imperial March.”  There’s even an Ewok puppy– too cute.

- To promote it’s new LED headlights, Audi has released its “Vampire Party” spot.  To launch the ad, the car company incorporated a social media contest where fans could attempt to “unlock” the ad.  If they unlocked it, they could watch the entire spot and be entered to win a trip to the Audi Sportscar Experience in Sonoma, CA.   The ad is also prompting discussion on Twitter by inserting the hashtag #SoLongVampires.  The creators of the ad just hope they aren’t isolating their “Twilight” fans.

- KIA released an ad featuring supermodel Adriana Lima waving a checkered flag… for FIVE hours.  It’s in slow motion, but seriously, she must have had to wave it for at least two hours straight.  I’m not exactly sure what the ad has to do with KIA (I didn’t have 5 hours to spare), but it’s certainly attracted the attention of the Super Bowl’s demographic target!

What are your favorite pre-Super Bowl ads so far?