Bud Light, the official beer of the NFL, is bringing back Spuds MacKenzie in a new 90 second Super Bowl spot as part of the brand’s new campaign, “Famous Among Friends,” re-introducing the brand’s beloved ’80s pop culture icon and man’s best friend.
“Bud Light has been present at memorable moments – big or small – among friends for decades,” said Bud Light Vice President Alex Lambrecht, in a press release. “There’s no one better than Spuds to celebrate Bud Light, and remind everyone that we don’t just make beer, we enable moments that build and strengthen friendships.”
Spuds was originally created by Wieden + Kennedy New York and first appeared in Super Bowl in 1987 where he established his status as a pop culture icon.
Although Spuds will be a ghost this time, his message of lasting friendships is one that intends to resonate across generations, and integrate with Bud Light’s broader “Famous Among Friends” brand campaign.
“It’s been 30 years since we last saw Spuds MacKenzie. Or 210 if you are counting in dog years,” Wieden + Kennedy New York executive creative director, Karl Lieberma explained, in a statement. “Nevertheless, it was the right time to set the record straight about what Spuds always represented: bringing friends together.”
The ghost of Spuds is voiced by actor Carl Weathers, known for his roles in “Rocky,” “Happy Gilmore” and more. “Ghost Spuds” is the second spot in Bud Light’s recently launched campaign. The first spot, “Between Friends” aired during the AFC and NFC Championship games.
