What:A 30-second commercial called “Ultrasound.” It shows a pregnant woman getting an ultrasound while the father snacks on Doritos. The fetus appears to “reach” for the chip and then “leaps” when the chip is thrown.

When:Aired during Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016.

Where:Broadcast nationwide on U.S. television during the Super Bowl, later shared widely online (YouTube, social media).

Why:Doritos used the ad to promote its chips in a funny, memorable way as part of its long-running Super Bowl ad campaign. The contest let fans make creative commercials, and this one was chosen as a finalist.

• Doritos/PepsiCo produced it, but it originated from a fan-made submission through Doritos’ “Crash the Super Bowl” contest.

• While it looks humorous, it was carefully chosen, polished, and broadcast to a massive Super Bowl audience.

2

• Humor & surprise: The idea of a fetus craving Doritos is absurd, funny, and unexpected.

• Ultrasound visuals: Familiar medical imagery makes it instantly recognizable and relatable.

• Shock ending: The fetus “leaps” at the chip exaggeration that sticks in the viewer’s mind.

3

• Comedy view: Many audiences just saw it as a silly, funny ad about cravings and snacks.

• Parents-to-be: Some might connect with pregnancy cravings or family humor more deeply.

• Advocacy groups: Organizations like NARAL criticized it for “humanizing a fetus,” interpreting it as political or anti-choice.

4

• Represented: Family life, humor around pregnancy, the idea that Doritos are irresistible.

• Omitted: Medical realism (a fetus cannot actually act this way), diverse family experiences, or any health concerns with junk food.

5

• The primary goal is to sell Doritos and create a buzzworthy, shareable Super Bowl moment.

• Secondary: To strengthen brand identity as playful, fun, and crowd-pleasing.