If like us you are a fan of American Football then this is the weekend of the year. In fact, it’s getting there with just the Rugby, the GAA and the Racing but for some the highlight will not be reached until late on Sunday into the early hours of Monday morning.
This year’s matchup saw the two underdogs win through in the Championship games, effectively semifinals and there is a beautiful rhyme with history that reflects American sports obsession with dynasties.
For the past 17 years, the New England Patriots have been the dominant team in the sport. This is their fourth SuperBowl in five years and it all started for Coach Bill Belichick and Quarterback Tom Brady with a Superbowl triumph against the Rams back in 2002 when they were the ‘Greatest Show on Turf.
Youth versus experience, upstarts versus dominant force, that game had all the hallmarks of a
transfer of power. Then it was the Patriots rising and for many, this could be the end of the run. Brady talks of going on to the age of 45 and they are the form team coming into the game but the Rams, who have not been back to the SuperBowl since 2002, and have since moved from St Louis to LA have the look of that Patriots team of old.
Jared Gough could become the new star of the sport with a win, he’s young, tall, good looking and popular. Just like Brady was. I’m a Patriots fan, it goes back to time spent in Boston, and will be cheering against most of America in hoping they make it.
CBS is the host broadcaster this year and the going rate for a 30-second advertising sport this year is a shade over $7 Million.
When you spend like that you want to make sure people are talking about you.
Here is a selection of the ads that have been leaked, teased or previewed over recent days, kicking off with probably the most talked about so far, Steve Carrell starring in an ad for the half time show sponsor Pepsi…

or how about Amazon putting out a 90-second spot for Alexa…

Michael Bublé takes a star turn with a sharpie for soft drink Bubly

Budweiser goes down the retro-sustainability road, who knew that even was a road?

And there’s always the big spend from the auto sector



And Microsoft are back with a big spend highlighting ability over disability, through gaming

Whether it’s for the game, the half time show or the ads that we don’t get to see here other than on YouTube, or Sport for Business, have a happy SuperBowl Sunday.

 



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