How Superbowl ads became popular

PR. Seriously. Superbowl ads became so popular because the news tells the story of how expensive, outrageous and unique superbowl ads are. It’s the story that creates the discussion and not the viewing itself. The ads get seen once, maybe more if you’re an Internet person, and the news talks about them weeks in advance and weeks after. And, I guarantee that a number of the commercials have targeted publicity campaigns going on right now so that people will look for the ads during the game. Here’s a few examples.

Madison Production Company’s Superbowl Ads Intercepted
This is a story that was on primetime news about how GoDaddy.com has had a few raunchy ads that haven’t been accepted.

SUPER BOWL GAMES VS. COMMERCIALS Are ads superior to game?
The San Franciso Chronicle examines what is more interesting. Ads or the game?

Superbowl ads taking shape
This is an Access Hollywood article. Seriously. When Access Hollywood is doing a piece on Superbowl Ads . . .

Liberals Will Be Attacked By Conservatives During Superbowl
This is just ridiculous.

PR Making Superbowl Ads Popular
- Do the companies tout how much it cost to run the ad in the middle of the commercial? No. That happens in the press.
- Does the controversy around ads from companies like GoDaddy get discussion time during the commercial itself? No. That happens in the press.
- Do companies run ads trying to get people to watch an ad during the superbowl? Sometimes, but not often. They toss it all to PR people who get the press coverage you see above.

My point is, even advertisers turn to PR to get real traction for their own product because they know it works better. The discussion in the press creates discussion in the public. That’s how they get people talking about the product. PR.