This might be kind of old, but I’m just taking time to look into Super Bowl phenomena. I saw the coverage of how Budweiser decided not to run its “wardrobe malfunction” lampoon ad on the big game, but I didn’t realize that the company had (completely understandably) decided to make the ad (note: WMV for high-speed connections) available on its Web site. Even if AB never intended the ad to appear on TV, it got great mileage from the publicity it got from “pulling” the ad, and it still got to distribute it. The Budweiser.com home page touts the ad with these words: “Exclusive. Get the ad you won’t see on the big game.” Would love to see the viewership stats when all is said and done.
Incidentally, the “send to a friend” feature says: “RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS – Please do not forward or show this commercial to friends who are under the legal drinking age.” So I’m counting on all of my young readers to forego the commercial watching experience. Hide your eyes when beer ads come on
TV.
UPDATE: There’s even an online ad campaign to draw people to the online spot. Saw it on The Onion. (screenshot here)
