Super Success

Superbowl Sunday is just as well known for the much anticipated commercials as it is for the game. Companies spent $2.6 million dollars on each 30 second commercial aired during the game. Companies are aware that CBS will draw a huge audience, but is the $2.6 million really worth it?

The companies advertising in the Superbowl get more exposure than meets the eye. Companies know that they are reaching a wide audience and save their best commercials for this night. Viewers, on the other hand, know these commercials are always entertaining. Some people watch the game strictly for the commercials. Non-football fans get just as much entertainment as football fans on the commercial breaks. From my own experience, whoever I'm watching the game with always pays close attention to the ads. Everyone quiets down and pays close attention to the ads. Then, everyone critiques the ad. The close attention paid to these commercials creates a buzz.

In each one of my classes today students were talking about their favorite commercials, which one was the funniest, and which ones were complete failures. I got a few e-mails from people at home raving about which commercial they are still laughing about. These commercials are so heavily scrutinized by all the viewers that they are bound to create buzz no matter what. So many people share the these ads and want to give their opinions to friends about them. They stir up conversation between friends, co-workers, students, and more. So these traditional TV ads turn into work of mouth advertising that is effective enough to charge companies $2.6 million dollars for a 30 second advertising spot.

In short, the extraordinary amount of money these companies spend on Superbowl Sunday are definitely worth it. The buzz these commercials generate is so important for the growth of these companies.