Super Weekend
The Super Bowl is Sunday, but of course, you already knew that. The single biggest global television event — other than the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana — is set to return this Sunday. The 1982 Super Bowl had the highest rating share, with a 49.1 household rating. This meant that almost half of U.S. televisions were tuned into the game. By comparison, last year’s matchup, featuring the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals only received a 36 share. In fact, it was the lowest-rated big game since 1969, Super Bowl III.
Of course a 30-second ad for Super Bowl III cost only $55,000. And an ad for Super Bowl XVII had grown to $324,000. Last year’s cost of an ad was $7 million. The surprising thing about this upcoming Sunday’s game is the ads are the same price. I guess it’s the only thing inflation hasn’t touched…
On Monday, I’ll make the rounds on local radio and TV news programs to play “Monday Morning Quarterback.” This is my 12th consecutive year sharing my picks for the “best and worst ads” from the big game and it’s a lot of fun. Look for me on CBS6, NBC12, WRVA, 106.1 ESPN Richmond, and more. We’re even broadcasting one segment live at 2 p.m. from Madison+Main HQ on Mike King‘s On the MIC with MIKE program — check it out!
Some pre-game thoughts:
- Alcohol. Get ready for a beer blitz…and more. For the first time in three decades, Anheuser-Busch has given up its exclusive ad rights, which means we’ll see ads from others — Heineken, Crown Royal, MillerLite, and others.
- No Crypto. With the implosion of FTX and other crypto companies, we won’t have to sit through those ads again.
- Two Brands in One Ad. Some companies have decided to share the limelight (and exorbitant cost) of their :30 ads. Netflix and GM have banded together for an ad. DraftKings and Coors will also try to highlight both brands in their spot.
- 2022. THIS year has to be better than last year. Quite honestly, the lineup last year was not very good. I can barely remember three or four ads from the game.
As always, I LOVE getting your best and worst picks too. Email me Monday. Madison+Main will be tweeting our pics during the game. Join us on Twitter and use the hashtag #SBads.
MONDAY:
EPIC NEWS
In light of the Texas Inn news featured in last week’s edition of the Weekly Report, we have another success story to share about a client of ours being brought into politics. Madison+Main wrote a press release for our client EPIC Rx discussing their continued support of TRICARE. It was then mentioned on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by Georgia’s Rep. Buddy Carter, which was featured on CSPAN.
TUESDAY:
BUILDING A BUSINESS FOUNDATION
On Tuesday, the team met with our client Riverstone for their CORE session. Riverstone is a dynamic commercial general contracting and construction management company that’s worked in Virginia for the past 20 years. We’re thrilled to be working with such a great group of people. As you may know, our CORE process puts our team and the client’s leadership together for a 3+ hour facilitated workshop that determines the core of a client’s brand and how we can develop it further.
WEDNESDAY:
LET’S GET ROWDY, RAMS!
On Wednesday, the news broke about our client VCU Development & Alumni Relations hosting the VCU Homecoming All-alumni Block Party in RICToday. They’re inviting all of the RAMily to get together before the VCU Rams take on the Fordham Rams on February 18. This game is known as the “The Battle of the Rams” and if it isn’t, it should be. If you’re a VCU alum, be sure to RSVP to get in on the fun and have a chance to snag their exclusive VCU Ram head hat that’s only available for alumni.
THURSDAY:
TWO IN ONE WEEK
With lots of new clients to start 2023, the Madison+Main-iacs led another CORE facilitation for our brand new client Commercial Steel Erection (CSE, Inc.), one of the top specialty contractors for services ranging from crane rental to steel erection with more than 50 years of experience from Madison Heights, Virginia. Since these fine folks are two hours away, we decided to have this session over Zoom. It’s too bad because I was really hoping to have lunch with them — catered by the Texas Inn, of course.
FRIDAY:
COMING THIS SUNDAY
In preparation for the big game on Sunday, I will be doing nothing. I haven’t been able to attend a Super Bowl party in more than a decade. I can’t have beers. I have to be sitting at a desk, writing notes, and can only take breaks in between commercials. I’m the guy in the corner yelling “Shhhhhhh” when the ads come on. #SuperFunAtParties
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Free Movies For February Birthdays
Compass Entertainment Complex
100 Entertainment Drive
Irvington VA 22480
February | All Month
Celebrate your February birthday with free movies! Visit Compass Cinema Six at Compass Entertainment Complex during your birth month and catch a flick (or a few).
Have A Heart Enrichment
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts
Glen Allen & Midlothian
February 14-16 | All Day
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts is offering its Have A Heart Enrichment activity that can be added to any vacation, dog daycare, or grooming appointment. Your crafty canine can make a lovely canvas tote for you to take home (with help from their friendly counselors, of course). Mark your calendars!
Art & Cheesy Western Night!
Findings Art
4925 Boonsboro Road
Lynchburg, VA 24503
March 23 | 5-7 p.m.
Findings Art is teaming up with the Texas Inn for a special one-night-only event for art lovers and fans of the Cheesy Western. Shop from an array of curated art pieces that take inspiration from the T-Room while grabbing a Cheesy Western (on the house). Join them for this free event!
“I’ve done a number of Super Bowl ads. And that is the best advertising of the year. That is when people realize they’re going to be compared directly against other ads.” — Jerry Seinfeld