The Knowledge
Google Reclaims No. 1 in Kellogg’s 2026 Super Bowl Ad Review
Google’s “New Home” ad topped the Kellogg School’s Super Bowl Advertising Review, praised for its emotional storytelling and clear product value. It marks Google’s fourth win. Other notable performers included Anthropic and Novartis. In contrast, Coinbase and ai.com struggled due to unclear brand connections. AI and health advertising trends emerged prominently in 2026.
Google is back on top in one of the most-watched postgame scorecards in marketing.
The Kellogg School of Management announced that Google Gemini earned the No. 1 ranking in the 22nd Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review, thanks to its emotional “New Home” spot—an ad built around the idea that AI can support life transitions through creativity and human connection. Kellogg says this marks the fourth time Google has taken the top spot in the panel’s rankings.
Not every advertiser had a good night. Kellogg’s review also called out Coinbase and ai.com for low grades, with panelists criticizing unclear brand linkage and fuzzy value propositions.
Why Google’s “New Home” ad won
According to Kellogg, Google’s top-ranked spot stood out for balancing two things that are hard to pull off in a Super Bowl window:
- Emotional storytelling that feels human
- A clear demonstration of product value
“This ad captures what Google has historically done best: pairing genuine emotional storytelling with a clear illustration of how the product fits naturally into people’s lives,” said Tim Calkins, clinical professor of marketing and co-lead of the Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review. Co-lead Derek Rucker added that it feels like a modern evolution of that approach rather than a departure.
The review also notes the ad echoed the spirit of Google’s iconic “Parisian Love” spot from 2009—offering a nostalgic reminder of what has long defined the brand while updating it for a new era of AI-powered tools.
Other top performers (and why they landed)
Kellogg’s panel also gave strong marks to:
- Anthropic’s Claude for “Can I get a six pack quickly?”
- Novartis for “Relax Your Tight End”
Rucker highlighted Anthropic’s advantage in a crowded AI category: the message was simple and clearly differentiated, which made it easier for viewers to understand what the brand is and why it matters.
The ads that fumbled: Coinbase and ai.com
On the other side of the rankings were ads that grabbed attention but didn’t connect the dots.
Kellogg said Coinbase aired a spot built around a karaoke-style use of a Backstreet Boys song, but the creative failed to establish a clear connection to the brand or its value proposition, resulting in a low rating from the panel.
ai.com also received a low grade, with panelists left unclear on what the product actually offered. “When you’re advertising new technologies, there’s a lot to learn from classic brand building,” Calkins said, adding that ai.com is a good example of what can go wrong when viewers are still wondering what the product is after the ad ends.
The bigger trend: AI wasn’t just a theme—it was the stage
Kellogg’s review makes it clear that artificial intelligence dominated Super Bowl advertising in 2026, both as a subject of brand storytelling and as a creative tool.
Brands including Microsoft, Amazon, and Genspark used the Super Bowl stage to define how their technologies fit into everyday life, ranging from emotional narratives to more functional demonstrations of performance and productivity. Meta returned with two spots highlighting its AI-powered eyewear, emphasizing the product’s “athletic intelligence.”
AI also played a role behind the scenes: Svedka said its spot featuring dancing robots was primarily created using AI.
Celebrity + nostalgia still work—if the brand is clear
As has become tradition, celebrity power was on full display, with brands stacking household names to break through the clutter. Kellogg also noted that nostalgia continued to be a reliable creative lever, with several brands tapping into 1990s pop culture to connect with millennial audiences.
“Many advertisers appeared to be playing it safe this year. Nostalgia and well-liked celebrities are two of the most reliable ways to do that,” Calkins said. The catch: familiar faces and throwback references can be a shortcut to attention, but they still need to be paired with a clear brand message to be truly effective.
Health advertising surged (including GLP-1 debuts)
Another shift Kellogg highlighted: a remarkable number of health-focused Super Bowl spots, covering everything from hydration and fiber intake to caffeine consumption and access to care.
Weight-loss medications were especially prominent, with Novo Nordisk (Wegovy), Ro, and Eli Lilly (Zepbound) all spotlighting their GLP-1 offerings. Rucker said Super Bowl ads have to entertain and educate at the same time—and he credited Novartis with striking that balance particularly well.
How Kellogg grades the ads: ADPLAN
The Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review uses an academic framework known as ADPLAN to evaluate the strategic effectiveness of Super Bowl spots. The acronym helps viewers grade ads based on:
- Attention
- Distinction
- Positioning
- Linkage
- Amplification
- Net Equity
A full list of the rankings is available through Kellogg. To learn more, visit https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news-events/super-bowl.aspx.
Source: PRNewswire
The Knowledge
📼 Why Did VHS Beat Betamax? The Format War That Changed Everything
Sony’s Betamax, despite superior technology, lost to JVC’s VHS due to strategic licensing, lower costs, and consumer preferences. VHS’s wider adoption and convenience in video rentals led to its dominance by the mid-1980s, leaving Betamax as a nostalgic relic.
In the early days of home video, two formats went head-to-head to win your living room: Sony’s Betamax and JVC’s VHS. On paper, Betamax was the better technology—sharper picture, better tape quality, and a head start on the market. So why did VHS win?
The answer isn’t just about resolution—it’s about strategy, licensing, and consumer habits. And it’s the subject of one of the first episodes in our brand-new video series: The Knowledge, now streaming on STM Daily News and our YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Reels channels.
🎞️ The Battle for Your VCR
Sony launched Betamax in 1975, positioning it as the premium option for recording and watching video at home. It offered higher resolution than VHS, and for a brief moment, it dominated the emerging home entertainment market.
But then came JVC—and a very different approach.
While Sony kept tight control over Betamax, JVC opened up VHS to dozens of manufacturers, creating a flood of compatible machines and tapes. VHS also offered longer recording times, letting users record full movies and sports games without switching tapes.
And perhaps most importantly? VHS was cheaper—both the tapes and the players. As more companies adopted VHS, video rental stores stocked up accordingly, and Betamax quickly lost shelf space and market share.
By the mid-1980s, the war was over. VHS became the standard, and Betamax faded into tech nostalgia.
🎥 Watch the Full Story in 60 Seconds
Our short-form video series, The Knowledge, is all about sharing bite-sized but impactful stories that explain how we got from then to now. The companion episode, “Why Did VHS Beat Betamax?”, is part of our subseries The Evolution of Video Tools—where we explore the game-changing devices and platforms that transformed content creation.
📺 Watch it now on:
STM Daily News YouTube Shorts TikTok @stmdailynews Instagram Reels @stmdailynews
📚 What is The Knowledge?
The Knowledge is STM Daily News’ new educational video series made for the scroll-happy but truth-hungry viewer. In 30 to 90 seconds, we uncover:
Forgotten inventors Behind-the-scenes tech stories Cultural turning points Historical events that still shape us today
New episodes drop weekly.
Follow us and subscribe to keep your facts straight and your curiosity fed.
🧠 Now you know.
— STM Daily News
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
Forgotten Genius Fridays
Forgotten Genius Friday: Frederick McKinley Jones — The Inventor Who Changed How the World Keeps Food Fresh
Before fresh food could travel thousands of miles, before life-saving medicines could be shipped across long distances, and before grocery stores could offer products from around the world year-round, there was a major challenge: keeping things cold while they were on the move.
One inventor helped solve that problem.
His name was Frederick McKinley Jones—a brilliant engineer whose refrigeration technology transformed transportation, agriculture, healthcare, and modern supply chains.
A Self-Taught Mechanical Genius
Born in 1893 in Cincinnati, Jones faced challenges early in life. Orphaned at a young age, he developed an interest in mechanics and technology, teaching himself valuable skills through hands-on experience.
Rather than following a traditional educational path, Jones learned by repairing machines, studying engineering concepts, and experimenting with technology.
His natural ability eventually led him to work on inventions involving sound equipment, motion pictures, and electronics—but his greatest contribution would come from solving one of the world’s biggest transportation problems.
Solving the Cold Storage Challenge
Before Jones’ invention, transporting perishable goods over long distances was extremely difficult. Food, medicine, and other temperature-sensitive products could spoil before reaching their destinations.
Jones developed a portable refrigeration system that could be mounted on trucks and trailers, allowing goods to remain refrigerated while being transported.
His invention created the foundation for what is now known as the cold chain—the global network that keeps products at controlled temperatures from production to delivery.
The Birth of Modern Refrigerated Transport
Jones partnered with businessman Joseph Numero to create a company that would eventually become Thermo King.
Their refrigeration technology changed industries worldwide.
It allowed:
- Farmers to ship fresh produce farther than ever before
- Grocery stores to offer a wider variety of foods
- Hospitals to transport temperature-sensitive medical supplies
- The military to move food and medicine during wartime
A Life-Saving Innovation
During World War II, Jones’ refrigeration systems became especially important. His technology helped transport blood, medicine, and food safely to military locations.
His invention was not just about convenience—it helped save lives.
Recognition for a Forgotten Genius
Despite the enormous impact of his work, Jones remained relatively unknown to the public for many years.
In 1977, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to refrigeration technology.
His inventions continue to influence the way the world moves essential goods today.
Why Frederick McKinley Jones Still Matters
Every time you buy fresh produce from another state, receive temperature-sensitive medicine, or enjoy foods transported across long distances, you are benefiting from technology that traces back to Jones’ innovation.
His story reminds us that some of the most important inventions are not always flashy. Sometimes, they are the systems working quietly behind the scenes that make modern life possible.
Final Word
As part of STM Daily News’ Forgotten Genius Friday series, the story of Frederick McKinley Jones highlights the power of problem-solving and persistence.
He didn’t just invent refrigeration for transportation—he helped create the modern world’s ability to share food, medicine, and resources across the globe.
Frederick McKinley Jones was the genius who kept the world moving—and kept it fresh.
Related Links for Further Information
- National Inventors Hall of Fame – Frederick McKinley Jones
- Google Patents – Frederick McKinley Jones Patent Records
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) – Patent Search Database
- U.S. Energy Information Administration – Frederick M. Jones Biography
- Thermo King – The Legacy of Frederick McKinley Jones and Transport Refrigeration
- Frederick McKinley Jones – Biography and Inventions Overview
- U.S. Army – “The King of Cool”: How Jones’ Technology Supported Military Logistics
- Explore More Forgotten Genius Friday Episodes on STM Daily News
The Knowledge
Now You Know: Los Angeles Is One of America’s Great Art Deco Cities
Los Angeles is home to one of the nation’s most impressive collections of Art Deco architecture. Explore the iconic buildings, history, and legacy of this glamorous design movement.
Last Updated on June 21, 2026 by Rod Washington
When most people think of Art Deco architecture, cities like New York and Miami often come to mind first. But many Angelenos may be surprised to learn that Los Angeles is home to one of the largest and most impressive collections of Art Deco buildings in the United States.
The Art Deco movement flourished during the 1920s and 1930s, a period that coincided with Los Angeles’ rapid growth and transformation into a major American metropolis. As new theaters, office towers, department stores, and civic buildings were constructed, architects embraced the bold geometric designs, lavish materials, and futuristic styling that defined the Art Deco era.
Some of L.A.’s Most Famous Art Deco Landmarks
Eastern Columbia Building
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the Eastern Columbia Building is often considered the crown jewel of the city’s Art Deco architecture. Its turquoise terra-cotta exterior and gold accents make it one of the most photographed buildings in Southern California.
Wiltern Theatre
The iconic Wiltern Theatre on Wilshire Boulevard is another masterpiece of the era. With its striking tower and ornate interior, it remains one of the finest surviving Art Deco theaters in America.
Bullocks Wilshire
Opened in 1929, Bullocks Wilshire was designed as a luxury shopping destination and is widely regarded as one of the best examples of Zigzag Moderne Art Deco architecture.
Los Angeles Central Library
The Los Angeles Central Library blends Art Deco styling with Egyptian-inspired motifs, featuring beautiful murals, mosaics, and decorative details throughout the building.
The Art Deco Buildings We Lost
Unfortunately, Los Angeles has also lost some legendary Art Deco landmarks.
Perhaps the most famous was the Richfield Tower, a stunning black-and-gold skyscraper that was demolished in 1969. Many preservationists still consider it one of the greatest architectural losses in the city’s history.
Another beloved structure was the Pan Pacific Auditorium, a Streamline Moderne icon that was destroyed by fire in 1989.
A Hidden Part of Everyday L.A. History
Many longtime residents have passed these buildings countless times without realizing they were looking at pieces of architectural history. Downtown Los Angeles, Wilshire Boulevard, Hollywood, and other historic neighborhoods still contain numerous Art Deco gems that reflect the optimism and ambition of the city’s boom years.
For railfans and transportation enthusiasts, the era is especially significant. Many civic structures, stations, theaters, and commercial buildings constructed during the expansion of Los Angeles in the early 20th century incorporated Art Deco design elements that remain visible today.
Why Art Deco Still Matters
Art Deco represented more than just a style—it symbolized modernity, progress, and confidence in the future. Nearly a century later, these buildings continue to give Los Angeles a distinctive character that sets it apart from other American cities.
So the next time you’re driving down Wilshire Boulevard or walking through Downtown Los Angeles, take a closer look. You may be standing in the middle of one of the nation’s greatest open-air Art Deco museums.
Now You Know
Los Angeles isn’t just a city of movie studios and palm trees—it’s also one of America’s premier Art Deco destinations.
Related External Links for Further Reading
- Art Deco Society of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Conservancy – Art Deco Architecture
- Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- The Getty Research Institute – Architecture Resources
- Library of Congress Digital Collections
For more stories about history, architecture, transportation, and fascinating facts from around the world, visit STM Daily News at https://stmdailynews.com. Don’t forget to leave a comment and subscribe to our newsletter for more “Now You Know” stories!
