Ben Affleck's journey as a Dunkin'-branded pop star in the donut chain's Super Bowl campaign culminated in a full song release and extended video on Valentine's Day.
The full 4-minute version of the Dunkin' Super Bowl commercial released on YouTube shows Affleck’s journey to forming the boy band The DunKings with friends Matt Damon and Tom Brady.
As The DunKings show their moves to impress Jennifer Lopez and rapper Fat Joe, with Damon present for moral support, Affleck is faced with negative reactions from his wife and childhood friend.
“Sometimes, it’s hard to be your friend, man.”
Lopez and Damon’s serious acting complements Affleck’s outrageous antics perfectly, making for a truly entertaining short film.
The extensive campaign also builds anticipation for J.Lo’s ninth album, “This Is Me... Now,” which is set to be released on February 16.
The video also features TikTok influencer “Dancing with the Stars” winner Charli D'Amelio teaching Affleck some dance moves while hilariously displaying the generation gap between the two.
“Who is TikTok,” the Batman star cluelessly asked.
Rapper-singer Jack Harlow is also seen advising the actor to listen to his “voice of reason” telling him not to push through with his musical endeavor. Both of these scenes were previously released as ad teasers before the Super Bowl premiere of "The DunKings."
The Dunkings debut title, “Don't Dunk Away at My Heart," was strategically released on Spotify and YouTube with a lyric video on Valentine's Day.
And although many are wondering if Affleck, Damon, and Brady sang the song, it had fans rooting for the song to be charted.
“The DunKings supply a sonic solution to soothe your hearts, minds, and ears. They’re gonna sing about love. They’re gonna sing about Dunkin’,” the Spotify description reads.
“And they’re gonna do it in a way that will have you putting their tracks on repeat for back to back to-back listens while you sip and snack on Dunkin'.”
Although not infused with creative lyrics, its catchy repetition of the title “Don't Dunk Away at My Heart" makes for an effective last song syndrome (LSS).
Affleck’s comedic odyssey began during the 2024 Grammy Awards when a commercial featured him talking to his wife on the phone about his musical aspirations coming to him in a dream.
“I even had a persona like J.Lo or B.Lo. That’s the bad version.”
The full “Popstar” ad opened with Affleck reacting to his viral “bored” moment at last year’s Grammys, which flooded social media platforms with different memes.
He then continued to brood about what people have been saying about him.
“They tell you, ‘You’re no good. You’re a goofy, middle-aged, clumsy white guy with no rhythm and you can’t sing on key. You’re not coordinated.’ That means I can’t be a pop star? Underestimate Boston at your peril.”
“The DunKings” is the latest addition to the "Dunkin' Cinematic Universe," which began with Affleck's drive-thru stint in the brand's first Super Bowl ad last year.
This year's campaign has already expanded the universe with an April ad where Affleck is mistaken for Damon while getting Dunkin' and a fall collaboration with rapper Ice Spice.
“The DunKings” involved a unique collaboration with Artists Equity, the creative studio co-founded by Affleck, Damon, and Gerry Cardinale. The studio served as the campaign's creative, production, and post-production agency, adding another layer of authenticity to the project.
Beyond the music and Super Bowl ads, the campaign has also generated significant buzz with its merchandise. The DunKings' ostentatious orange tracksuits and matching pink bucket hats have been selling out, suggesting a potential wave of Dunkin'-inspired Halloween costumes.
“There’s no way to watch this campaign and its many outtakes, to try The DunKings Iced Coffee with the fun MUNCHKINS® skewer, or to wear the pink and orange tracksuits without smiling. That’s the genuine, lighthearted connection we want people to feel when they think about Dunkin’,” Dunkin's Chief Marketing Officer Jill McVicar Nelson said in a press release.
“You can chase your dreams, aim high, and have a laugh while doing it all as part of the Dunkin’ family. Dunkin’ fuels your passions, no matter how ambitious or out there they may seem.”
The journey of The DunKings, from its initial teasers to its Valentine's Day release, demonstrates how a seemingly silly concept can build anticipation and engagement, as well as provide inspiration to dreamers worldwide.
Dunkin’s Super Bowl ad placed second in the USA Today Ad Meter’s “Most Popular Super Bowl 58 Spot” and was hailed as “this year’s best Super Bowl commercial” by Esquire.
