The Ad That Turned Internet Woes Into a Musical Spectacle
T-Mobile didn’t just run a Super Bowl ad—they threw a party.
For Super Bowl LVIII, the wireless giant reunited Scrubs stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison for a musical-style commercial that turned the frustration of waiting for the “cable guy” into a full-blown ’80s-inspired dance number.
Set at Jason Momoa’s house, the ad starts with Momoa canceling his Super Bowl party because he’s stuck waiting for his internet installer. Cue Braff and Faison, who burst into song—a parody of Irene Cara’s Flashdance hit “What a Feeling”—extolling the virtues of T-Mobile Home Internet.
By the end, even Momoa (and a surprise cameo from Jennifer Beals, the original Flashdance star) joins in, proving that good internet shouldn’t require waiting around.
Why This Campaign Hit All the Right Notes
1. Nostalgia Done Right
- Reuniting Braff & Faison (beloved for their Scrubs chemistry)
- Leveraging an iconic ’80s song for instant recognition
- Bonus nostalgia: Jennifer Beals’ cameo
2. Humor + Relatable Pain Points
Everyone’s been stuck waiting for the “cable guy.” T-Mobile flipped that frustration into a fun, over-the-top solution.
3. Star Power That Felt Organic
Jason Momoa (who’s naturally charismatic) didn’t just endorse—he danced. The ad avoided feeling like a forced celeb plug.
4. A Clear (But Subtle) Message
Instead of hard-selling specs, T-Mobile positioned itself as the hassle-free alternative to cable.
Marketing Takeaways for Viral-Worthy Ads
Want to create a memorable, shareable campaign? Steal these moves:
✔ Tap Into Nostalgia (But With a Twist)
Bringing back fan-favorite duos (Braff & Faison) or retro hits (Flashdance) works—if you make it fresh.
✔ Solve a Universal Annoyance
T-Mobile didn’t just sell speed—it sold freedom from the “cable guy” wait. What’s your audience’s everyday headache?
✔ Celebrities Should Elevate, Not Dominate
Momoa and Beals didn’t overshadow the product—they made it more fun.
✔ Make It Musical (If It Fits)
Songs stick in brains. Even if you don’t go full musical, catchy hooks = recall.
✔ Super Bowl Ads Should Feel Like Events
This wasn’t just an ad—it was a mini-show. Big game spots need big energy.
The Result? A Commercial People Actually Wanted to Watch
While many Super Bowl ads blend together, T-Mobile’s stood out by:
✅ Making viewers smile
✅ Feeling like a celebration, not a sales pitch
✅ Balancing humor with a clear product benefit
Final Lesson: Don’t Just Advertise—Entertain
T-Mobile proved that the best ads don’t feel like ads. They feel like a gift to the audience.
Your challenge:
How can your next campaign turn a customer pain point into a party? 🎶📶