| The Super Bowl was first played in 1967 and is | | | | One 30-second spot can cost up to 3 million |
| the championship game of each National Football | | | | dollars and some companies air several new |
| League (NFL) season. It is always played on a | | | | commercials throughout the program. Due to the |
| Sunday, which is where the name Super Bowl | | | | high viewership and cost of the airtime there is a |
| Sunday comes from, in the beginning of the New | | | | lot of pressure as well as high expectations to |
| Year, and usually in February. It is one of the | | | | produce quality commercials. The commercials are |
| highest viewed programs of the year, not just | | | | just as much a part of the program as the |
| the highest viewed sports program, with people | | | | football game; this is one show where there is no |
| nationwide tuning in through their satellite TV. | | | | good time to take a bathroom break. |
| Super Bowl parties are thrown all over the | | | | In 2009 two companies took advantage of the |
| country in people's homes and bars in order to | | | | Super Bowl by adding a new twist to their |
| watch the game with a group of friends. These | | | | commercials. PepsiCo advertised a new drink |
| parties mean food and drink are as much of a | | | | from their brand SoBe, and Paramount |
| focus as the game, since Super Bowl Sunday is | | | | Dreamworks advertised their new film "Monsters |
| the second highest food consumption day, after | | | | and Aliens" with commercials in HD 3D. The |
| Thanksgiving. The day has become somewhat of | | | | commercials involved promotion in advance by |
| an unofficial holiday in the country. | | | | raising awareness of the need for 3D glasses to |
| Besides the actual football game, entertainment is | | | | view the ads. 125 million 3D glasses were |
| a huge part of the program, thanks to the | | | | distributed at various retailers during the days |
| halftime performances and commercials. Each | | | | leading up to the game. These unique commercials |
| year there is a halftime performance by a | | | | were a way for these two companies to stand |
| well-known musician or band. Past performers | | | | out amongst the dozens of other new |
| have included acts such as U2, Britney Spears, | | | | commercials aired on Super Bowl Sunday. 3D is |
| Sting, Shania Twain, The Rolling Stones, Tom | | | | usually reserved for movie theaters since the |
| Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bruce | | | | glasses are easier to distribute; they are handed |
| Springsteen & The E Street Band, Prince, | | | | out at the ticket window when you purchase |
| Janet Jackson, and Paul McCartney. The artists | | | | your ticket. Airing an expensive 3D commercial on |
| perform on a huge stage in the middle of the field | | | | satellite TV is a little riskier because distribution is |
| with lights and special effects. | | | | more difficult. If you did not get your hands on a |
| Companies take advantage of the high level of | | | | pair of 3D glasses, the commercial may look a |
| viewers, which usually averages around 90 million | | | | little off to you. |
| viewers, to debut new commercial campaigns. | | | | |