Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about the football-it’s a global spectacle. From the competition on the field to the star-studded halftime show and unforgettable commercials, the event holds a special place in the hearts of millions.
In 2024, Doritos took the excitement to new heights by reviving their iconic “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, a fan-driven campaign that ran from 2006 to 2016 and gave amateur creators the chance to have their commercials aired during the biggest event in sports.
How did Mike Tyson’s son get involved?
The return of the contest immediately caught the attention of creators everywhere, and one entry, in particular, stood out. Miguel Leon Tyson, the son of boxing legend Mike Tyson, teamed up with his college friends Zack Shenouda and Ryan Robinson from the University of Southern California to produce a commercial titled “Barbershop.”
The ad featured a young man distracted by his barber’s Dorito-covered fingers while getting a haircut. Miguel Tyson played one of the customers, and the team poured over two weeks of hard work into crafting the perfect ad.
The contest quickly gained traction, with submissions pouring in from all over, and Tyson’s ad made it all the way to the finals. Mike Tyson himself rallied fans to vote for his son’s creation, helping to boost its profile even more.
However, despite the widespread support, the ad ultimately fell short of the grand prize, which went to Dylan Bradshaw and Nate Norell for their ad, “Abduction.” Their commercial, which featured an alien and an earthling battling over a pack of Doritos, ultimately captured the top spot.
While “Abduction” was the crowd favorite at the Superdome, it was a bittersweet result for Miguel Tyson and his team. Though they didn’t win the coveted $1 million prize or a spot in the Super Bowl broadcast, the team’s effort didn’t go unnoticed.
“As young artists, we believe we are just as capable of creating content that entertains, sells, and moves people,” said the directors Shenouda and Robinson.
Though their ad didn’t take home the top honor this time, the experience was invaluable. Mike Tyson would undoubtedly be proud of the dedication his son and the team showed. And with the competition returning in 2025, they’ll have another opportunity to put their creativity to the test.