Super Bowl Ads Take Two: Touchdown! Social Media Teams Up with the Gameday Broadcast

First we thought the PC was a calculator. Then we found out how to turn numbers into letters with ASCII – and we thought it was a typewriter. Then we discovered graphics, and we thought it was a television. With the World Wide Web, we’ve realized it’s a brochure. ~ Douglas Adams

Do you like watching Super Bowl ads? If you said yes, you’re not alone. As noted by Nightly Business Report’s Susie Gharib , one quarter of Super Bowl viewers watch the game just to see the commercials. This year as usual did not disappoint, both the game and the commercials were a big hit! I’ll let you know my favorite ad a little later on… There was however a new “drive” this year, the preview of commercials on social media.

My question to you, do you like the option of a sneak peek prior to the big game? Speaking for myself and fans in general, yes! Also, from the advertiser’s point of view, there’s the potential to maximize your presence and thereby get more bang for your buck. After all, ROI can’t just be measured in dollar terms but also in brand value. Last year’s Star Wars themed Volkswagen Passat ad, according to VW Group of America CEO, Jonathan Browning, resulted in an overall benefit to the brand culminating in the growth of all business and specifically Jetta’s over 50% sales growth. What will be the return on this year’s prerelease of Super Bowl ads?

So, do you agree in today’s digital age, it really does take two, online and broadcasting, to generate fan excitement and have a successful Super Bowl ad? Or do you prefer to be surprised on gameday? Share your thoughts and your favorite Super Bowl commercial. As promised, here’s mine, Honda’s CR-V spot showcasing an updated version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Full disclosure, not only am I a fan of the original 80’s movie, but my family also owns last year’s model.

Vanaja R.