Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Clint Eastwood Odd Pick for Chrysler Spokesmen

It’s the 46th annual Super Bowl featuring Eli Manning, Tom Brady and Clint Eastwood?

Coming up at halftime of the big game, Chrysler plans on running their Super Bowl commercial featuring the 81-year-old actor with an inspirational message that will focus on second chances according, to executive vice president of Darcars Automotive Group Tammy Darvish:

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It’s a whole different kind of theme from last year. It’s all about the greatness of the country.

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The two-minute commercial has been kept a secret all the way up to the game, but you have to wonder how much Eastwood moves the needle in 2012.

Not only is the company banking on the fact that they can catch the world’s interest with an actor that was born in the year 1930, but they are assuming they can keep the attention of the audience for a full two minutes.

Yes that’s right, in a day and age when it costs $3.5M to run a 30-second ad, Chrysler is rolling out a two-minute ad that features a lecture of sorts.

Could this ad strategy work?

I think it can.

The message is an inspirational one, suggesting that America will get over this recession and are using their company as an example.

Chrysler is a startup company of sorts that became successful through hard work, and that’s the message they are sending to viewers.

Eastwood represents a generation that was built on elbow grease—built on making something out of nothing—and that’s why he is a solid pick to run the ad.

Sure the kids will look at Eastwood and wonder where Zach Efron is, but this commercial is not for them. This is a commercial for the middle of America, a message to remind them that the tough times of the last four years will eventually come to an end.

So while you are wondering why Eastwood is talking to you for two straight minutes, remember that the message is a strong one that serves as inspiration at a time when everybody can use one.

Oh yeah, and it’s a commercial to tell you about how awesome the Jeep Wrangler is.