Farmers React to Super Bowl Commercial | Video

Retha Colclasure | 2/4/2013

Most Super Bowl ads are made to target a specific audience with a product. While many are humorous, others tug at the heart strings. One of those ads this year had a target audience that took some by surprise.

The agriculture industry employs the most people in America. But it`s not often that you`ll see an ad targeting farmers. One did last night during the Super Bowl and it has a lot of people talking.

Perry Moser is a hard-working farmer. He`s one of 32,000 hard-working farmers in North Dakota and a part of the nation`s largest industry, agriculture.

So when he saw this commercial air during the Super Bowl...

"We kinda looked at each other and really didn`t say anything but kinda just had that look like, yeah, we understand it," he said.

He says some of Paul Harvey`s words really struck home.

"We`ll lose a calf occasionally and it`s, yeah, we`re not very happy about it but you just kinda move on with it. And the hours, we don`t work them hours every day but there are seasons where we harvest and seeding and haying, where we put in lots of hours."

Those in the industry are hoping others understand it, as well.

"I think it stirred a lot of emotion in people," said Katie Pinke with the ND Department of Agriculture.

From a marketing standpoint, she sees the commercial as a huge success. "We would love to see farmers make positive headlines more often because of the work they`re doing every day."

That`s work that some know about, but others don`t even think about. While many people in North Dakota are still closely connected to the farm, that`s not the case across the country, where many Americans are up to three generations removed.

"So for everyone to pause during the Super Bowl and then get really excited, not just about Paul Harvey`s voice and the words but also about Dodge trucks, I think they`ll probably sell a few more pickups from that brand ad, then also to fundraise for FFA, it`s just a wonderful message," Pinke said.

As for Moser, he says he`s impressed by the ad, and it might make him think twice about the next truck he buys.

Dodge is using the commercial to raise $1 million to support FFA, and assist in local hunger and educational programs.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES