The Big Game is over and another storm is coming through so I need to wrap up today's work.
Falling tree limbs claim two lives in Canton
Canton mourns after 2 killed by falling tree limbs
I'd go for a cruise to get away from the stuff, but... I guess I'll just watch some TV instead.
"Many Super Bowl ads play it safe" by Sydney Ember New York Times February 08, 2016
NEW YORK — Advertisers dusted off their well-worn playbooks for Super Bowl 50, deploying a combination of humor, celebrities, and plenty of animals in their annual appeal for the attention of the game’s more than 100 million viewers.
I really didn't like any of them.
Several commercials offered more serious, socially conscious messages. But with 30 seconds of commercial time going for $5 million during CBS’s national broadcast on Sunday, many advertisers played it safe and went for big laughs — or at least smiles.
“Same old, same old,” said Andrew Essex, former vice chairman of the advertising agency Droga5. “Celebrity, silly, and deadly serious seems to be the new formula.”
Despite changes in viewing habits and marketing budgets in the last several years, the Super Bowl remains the premier annual showcase for advertisers. Commercials that connect with viewers can reap huge dividends for the companies behind them, while ads that fall flat, beyond being a financial failure, can harm a brand’s reputation with consumers. It is a reality that results in some companies taking risks, while others take a more cautious route.
I think they are taking them$elves way too $eriously.
It seemed at times during this year’s game as if there were enough animals to fill a small zoo. A Budweiser commercial, though devoid of cute puppies, did feature the famous Clydesdales. A spot for Heinz starred a stampede of wiener dogs sprinting toward a family in ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce bottle costumes.
Friends thought that was funny.
Anthropomorphic animals also made their usual appearance. A spot for Honda featured a flock of sheep singing the lyrics to Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” In an ad for Hyundai, two bears chase a man and a woman through a forest. The people escape by starting their car remotely using a smartwatch. “I just wanted to hug him,” one of the bears says after the people are gone. The other replies, “I was gonna eat him.” Hyundai ran a paid promotion for the ad that helped it draw 33 million total online views before kickoff, the most of any advertiser, according to the audience measurement company iSpot.tv.
Friend mention the Kevin Hart ad, saying that's great, he's spying on his daughter.
In perhaps the most visually jarring commercial, for Mountain Dew Kickstart, a creature the brand calls a “puppymonkeybaby” — diaper-clad baby bottom, monkey torso, dog head — shakes a rattle, gyrates, and rhythmically chants before handing out beverages. Yes, the creature licks a face or two.
“The best Super Bowl pieces — what they have in common is that they’re all incredibly different,” said David Lubars, chief creative officer of BBDO Worldwide. “In fact, the best ones don’t travel on paved paths; they go into uncharted country.”
Those hoping for celebrity sightings were not disappointed — some 40 stars appeared in commercials during the game. T-Mobile, for instance, got chuckles with its commercial featuring the hip-hop star Drake, who receives earnest instructions on how to improve his hit, “Hotline Bling.” “When you say ‘Call me on my cellphone,’” one person suggests, “just add: ‘Device eligible for upgrade after 24 months.’”
I don't recall that one; maybe I was getting a plate of food.
A spot for Kia starred the actor Christopher Walken, while one for Bud Light featured Seth Rogen, Amy Schumer, Michael Peña, and Paul Rudd.
Raise one to right now?
Snickers ran an ad — a riff on the classic scene in “The Seven Year Itch” when a gust of air from a subway grate makes Marilyn Monroe’s dress flutter up — featuring Eugene Levy and Willem Dafoe.
That was little creepy if you ask me.
Skittles went with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. An ad for Avocados From Mexico, which drew kudos from industry experts before the game, featured Scott Baio, the actor perhaps best known for his role as Chachi Arcola in the TV show “Happy Days.”
And also one of the greatest athletes ever on "Battle of the Network Stars."
Several advertisers took on more serious topics, using their time to offer socially conscious messages rather than directly promote products. The advocacy group No More, which works to combat sexual assault and domestic violence, returned to the Super Bowl with a spot that showed a text message exchange between friends hinting at possible signs of domestic violence. As it did last year, the National Football League donated 30 seconds of airtime for the ad.
Colgate, a first-time Super Bowl advertiser, had a 30-second spot intended to encourage people to save water by turning off the faucet when they brush their teeth.
Who doesn't?
Another Budweiser ad featuring actress Helen Mirren urged people not to drive drunk. “Don’t be a pillock,” she says, using a British insult. The spot was Budweiser’s first anti-drunken-driving spot during the Super Bowl since 2005.
An insult in more ways than one after raise one to right now.
And while not defending drunk drivers, far from it in fact because I'm a strict prohibitionist, I was just wondering what problems in life they may have before passing judgement.
It's not an excuse for the conduct; it's just extenuating circumstances that could be involved in each and every individual case is all.
That's what I remarked to my friends who were drinking as one commented and noticed that the Budweiser beer in front of her was turned slightly sideways.
“There’s still a very strong theme — with a little bit of a twist this year — of purpose, mission ideas, whatever you want to call it,” said Jim Stengel, a business consultant who previously worked as chief marketing officer at Procter & Gamble. “I think brands and commercials that are embracing this idea of a higher purpose and a higher idea are getting smarter about it.”
Looks like the $ame old purpo$e to me.
--more--"
Looks like the game blew up on Carolina as well as my fantasy picks.
Or was it this?
"The NFL combined with several law enforcement agencies to provide extra security at Levi’s Stadium, particularly in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino. While the NFL declined to provide details of the security measures, the league worked with local and state police, the FBI, the National Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Department of Homeland Security, among others. The Air Force deployed an F-15 Eagle and Cessna 182 to provide air cover, according to CNN. The Federal Aviation Administration also banned all drones from flying within 32 miles of Levi’s Stadium between 2 p.m. and midnight. Fans were required to pass through two metal detectors and a wand screening upon entering the stadium. Bomb-sniffing dogs were not used at the media security checkpoint, as they have in previous Super Bowls and in many regular-season games this season."
Think that was enough security?
Not much pregame regarding the SB ad buys and nothing on the halftime show in my Globe.
From what I saw, Beyonce and robotic Bruno bothered me and Coldplay left me frigid. Her outfit looked militaristic (edu, 2nd photo down). I had no idea she was so thick down below, and the crotched zipper left me feeling like I was looking at pornography.
I'm sure I missed some symbolism although I noted the rainbow colors and believe in love bit at the end as well as the eye-like stage when the surrounding crowds are considered. Also thought I caught a one-eye something in the flashbacks of past shows and stars. Remember last year's?
Nice day for a show, though, huh?
Remember two years ago when the game was in New Jersey??
Related:
Domestic Box Office as of Jan. 31
Domestic Box Office as of Feb. 7
Globe must have gone to sleep because they haven't reported Box Office the last two weeks.
Also see:
"I'm not a bad person. I serve in every moment where opportunity provides but I fall short. I always fall short. I say this with all the naked agony of my kind. Somehow the miles and the years pile up and when we look back upon them they seem so brief but...
--MORE--"
And with that, the PPM's box office is now closed for the night.
NDU: I forgot to mention the demon that sang the National Anthem, insulting to a song that stands for us rolling the Rothschild banking clan out of here for a second time.
UPDATE: R.I. AG lifts hope for DraftKings
Also see: ‘Deadpool’ debut annihilates ‘Fifty Shades’ mark
