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Tech Talk

Despite the ailing economy and the relative uncertainty of consumer spending forecasts, this year’s Super Bowl commercial spots managed to put a brave face on that cracked more than a few smiles on game day. It has been reported that more than one hundred million people tuned into the game breaking the previous record and that upwards of 40% of viewers specifically tune in for the commercials. Helping that figure along was the competitive game that unfolded between two great teams keeping more viewers glued to their seats anticipating the outcome. A captive audience for marketers was sight and from my seat, there were a few great spots, a couple of terrible spots and a whole bunch of predictable ones.

One noticeable theme present nearly across the board was products selling messages meant to increase market share as opposed to simply settling for a branding message. Perhaps this fact is a direct result of a stalled economy and the national jobless rate.

There were also several spots directed at the male audience and while some may say it’s a male dominated audience thus should be crafted that way, I wonder how many women were turned off.

In an effort to give my readers a unique spin on my take from the cheap seat at home, here is my pecking order top to bottom and how I as a consumer will take action on what I witnessed with this year’s commercial geniuses.

As soon as the game was over and the last guest pulled out of the driveway, the clean up began so naturally I made sure to separate the garbage as to not get a visit from “Audi’s Green Police” while finishing off my new image of the energy bar, a “Snickers”. Like any good partner, she washed while I dried and pretended to pay attention to her assessment of the party while dreaming of a new black “Dodge Charger” in the driveway that will somehow justify my role in the house. Speaking of houses, maybe its time for a complete remodel at ours as I think aloud with my wife on whether or not it’s possible to rebuild our home with “Bud Light” bottles. Settling back into my chair to catch the evening news on my “FloTV”, I hear my wife scold the dog who is foraging through bag of “Doritos” left out. Another crowned champ, another year of football gone time for bed but first a quick check on my “E Trade” account to be sure I can sleep well and that I put a sell order for a couple of companies who wasted $3 million today.

All in all, not an earth shattering advertising event but a very respectable showing by ad agencies and creative participants no doubt left with shrunken budgets to work with.