The value of Super Bowl advertising is not based solely on the number of eyeballs tuned into the game — far from it!!
As we have learned in recent years, word of mouth (whether online or offline) — also known as viral marketing — is even more critical than to marketers than eyeballs. Why?
- Viral marketing reaches a huge audience through social media and other online coverage of Super Bowl ads.
- The ads have a much longer shelf life than the 30 to 90 seconds of TV airtime. The most famous Super Bowl, the 1984 Apple McIntosh commercial, is still widely discussed.
- Through the Internet, a global audience is reached for ads that are seen live by a mostly U.S. audience.
- There is a lot of brand engagement by people who read about the ads online and who discuss them with others.
Click the image below to see Businessweek’s choice of the “Most Viral Super Bowl Ads of All Time.” Note: The image here is from the Apple ad, which predated social media, but still comes in at number 11!
BEFORE CLICKING, GUESS WHAT AD IS NUMBER ONE!!!!
