Super Bowl ad rates in recent years have experienced mind-numbing inflation: this year, a 30-second ad is estimated to go for $4 million. That's up from $1.5 million in 1999.
Sure, companies (such as Atlanta-based Coca Cola) are chasing after the largest audience of any TV program in a given year: more than 100 million eyeballs. But they are also hoping for that ancillary free social media buzz and extra free publicity generated by the likes of me.
There are common subjects every year: cute animals, cute kids, clueless guys, sexy women, cartoon violence, famous people.
Here are some of the buzz-worthy ads forthcoming and many companies are creating "preview" teaser ads for their actual ads.
- A "Full House" reunion! Watch Bob Saget, Dave Coulier and John Stamos in an ad for Dannon's Oikos greek yogurt. Here's the warm up, where the trio appear to still be living together nearly two decades after the show had ended:
- Rival greek yogurt company Chobani will also air an ad but it will feature an anthopromorphic bear.
- Stephen Colbert will star in ads for pistachios.
- A "Seinfeld" reunion of sorts: Larry David (creator of the show), Jason Alexander and Jerry Seinfeld were seen at Tom's Diner, which was used as the exterior of Monk's, the diner they frequented until the show ended in 1998. The New York Daily News said it was for a Super Bowl ad but what product? That isn't known.
- Fan of Scarlett Johansson? Sodastream brings the sexy actress aboard.
- Bud Light will feature Don Cheadle and a llama.
- And there's Arnold Schwartzeneggar and ping pong:
- Toyota will bring Terry Crews in with the Muppets.
- Laurence Fishburne re-enacts his role on "The Matrix" for Kia.
- Volkswagon taps Carmen Electra and every touchstone of every Super Bowl ad ever:
- And how this Butterfinger ad will play out, it might err on the side of raunchy.
A Dunwoody producer is vying for a Doritos contest ad with a camel. You can get the details here.
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