The Super Bowl is sports’ biggest spectacle, and it has been that way for decades. Now in its 47th year, it proves each winter why the NFL is the biggest sports commodity in the land.
But the Super Bowl reaches well beyond sports fanatics. Millions watch just for the halftime show, while millions more watch the telecast just for the commercials, which, this year, were worth $3.8 million for a 30-second spot. Each commercial provides a flair for comedy, storytelling and/or the dramatic.
This year’s game featured a great bout between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, a 34-31 Ravens victory. It also featured a poor halftime show with Beyonce; hilarious commercials from Taco Bell, Bud Light, Doritos and Tide; and touching pieces from the Budweiser Clydesdales and Ram Trucks.
The wonderful storytelling in the Clydesdales and Ram were absolute reflections of our Western lifestyle, highlighted by the raising of a young horse that becomes one of the most majestic creatures in marketing and the true workmanlike nature of farmers who feed the world, using the valuable words written by Paul Harvey.
I applaud Anheuser Busch and Chrysler Group LLC for reaching into the core of our nation’s legacy and touching the hearts of millions of viewers. We got their millions of dollars’ worth of advertising deep in our hearts, and I appreciate it.