Bridgestone's "The Scream" was one of the highest-scoring ads of the evening on USA Today's Ad Meter, with most critics applauding the comedy of cute animals screaming as a squirrel avoids death-by-tire.

It was also the first of two 30-second spots Bridgestone and The Richards Group ran in Super Bowl XLII (see also "Unexpected Obstacles") as the marketer kicked off a five-year run sponsoring the Halftime Show. (That year's performer: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.)

Director: Kinka Usher, whose expansive Super Bowl work would also include Bridgestone's 2011 ads "Carma" and "Reply All." Production company: House of Usher.

Creative director: Glenn Dady. Executive producer: Nancy Hacohen. Copywriter: Mike Bales. Art director: Shane Altman.

VFX: Method Studios. Lead 3D artist: Andy Boyd. Lead 2D artist: Alex Frisch. CG supervisor: Gil Baron. Executive producer: Lisa Houck.

Sound and music: Wave Studios. Sound engineer: Johnnie Burn. Editorial: Nomad Editorial.

BRAND: Bridgestone

YEAR: 2008

AGENCY: The Richards Group

SUPERBOWL: XLII

QUARTER AIRED: Q1