Emotional Imagery: Symbolism of the Clydesdale Horses
In a poignant Budweiser commercial aired during Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, the emotional impact of 9/11 is captured. The ad features the iconic Clydesdale horses, synonymous with Budweiser, in a moving tribute to the victims of the tragic event.
Symbolic Journey: Tribute to the Victims
The commercial depicts the horses running, adorned, and pulling a wagon across snow-covered fields and cityscapes. It transitions to the horses crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into New York City, with the Statue of Liberty in the backdrop. The ad culminates with the horses bowing, with the Statue of Liberty prominently featured, invoking a sense of reverence for those lost.
Lasting Impact: Annual Online Viewings
Despite airing only once, the commercial’s impact endures through annual online viewings on each anniversary of 9/11. The Anheuser-Busch creative team overcame challenges to produce this tribute, filming in New York shortly after the attacks with the support of Congress, the advertising community, and Mayor Rudy Guiliani.
Ten Years Later: Revisiting the Tribute
On the tenth anniversary in 2011, the ad was reprised, further solidifying its significance. Comments on YouTube reflect the profound emotional resonance, with viewers expressing how the commercial’s imagery and music evoke memories and tears, fostering remembrance for the lives lost and the bravery displayed during the tragedy.
