The brands are getting ready to the upcoming Super Bowl in their own creative ways. Some of them are launching new adverts like Doritos and Pepsi, while others are kicking off much bolder projects, transforming online activity of their fans into support for offline actions, just like Mercedes-Benz USA. The auto maker, which is going to advertize during the American football’s biggest event for the first time, started a campaign entitled ‘Tweet Race’ on the platform of its social media hubs, engaging its fans across the country.

Following the success of its Super Bowl advertising debut last year, Kia Motors America is returning to the big game with a fully integrated and interactive marketing campaign incorporating TV, digital, print, social media and in-dealership components to introduce the all-new 2011 Optima midsize sedan. At the center of the initiative is a new 60-second spot that will air in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV titled ‘One Epic Ride,’ and Kia will extend the campaign by giving away up to five Optimas through its ‘One Epic Contest.’

Nike has several new editions in stock to celebrate 2011 Black History Month. Every year, the brand, which is well-known for supporting a variety of projects related to the Afro-American culture, releases new products to pay tribute to the big date. In 2011, the sport gear manufacturer has come up with a set of new stunning footwear and apparel in the black palette. The holiday pack includes four sneakers celebrating three cult basketball players Julius Irving (Dr. J), Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant, plus Nike Air Force 1 and a Destroyer jacket—all in black.

Umbro, Manchester-based branch of Nike specializing in football wear, recently revealed more details on its collaboration with critically acclaimed designer Aitor Throup that led to creation of some iconic sportswear pieces for Archive Research Project (A.R.P.). In course of the project, Umbro’s creative team along with Aitor delved into 87-year-old archive of the brand in search of inspiration to create new clothes.

On January 17, Nike announced its partnership with the French Football Federation, unveiling the new team kits, which combine French style and tradition with the brand’s product innovation to deliver a product engineered to maximize performance and minimize environmental impact. The new product was presented by footballers Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra, Florent Malouda, Yann MVila, France Coach Laurent Blanc and Nike President and CEO Mark Parker.

Gillette, a brand owned by P&G, is taking the next step in its promotional campaign for its products, namely Fusion ProGlide. After the series of TV commericals starring Thierry Henry and Roger Federer that brought even more success to both the athletes and the brand, Gillette unveils the next series of its ads starring male celebrities.

Pepsi Max, the soda brand which has connected with the rap culture primarily through to its latest commercial featuring Snoop Dogg (still, Nike remains the most long-standing fan of this music style), has unveiled a new project created in collaboration with famous representatives of this movement. Ahead of Super Bowl XLV, Pepsi Max teamed up with a bunch of hip-hop and rap stars to develop new videos as part of the NFL Audible program.