Tag Archive | Television
January 30, 2013  

5 Things To Watch For When Watching Super Bowl Ads

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I’ve created my fair share of TV commercials and I absolutely have seen more TV commercials than any normal human should see. Have you ever wondered why companies have commercials in the first place? Furthermore, have you ever wondered how some brands actually let a commercial see the light of day? For guys like me, whose DNA contains art direction,the latter question can get me yelling at the TV Screen or whatever device I’m watching!

So what makes a good commercial? That can be debatable and usually depends on a myriad of factors. However, good TV commercials contain similar qualities and are usually created by the world’s largest brands. The consumer has been painstakingly researched, the messaging has been carefully analyzed, directors have been interviewed and selected, scripts written, actors reviewed and chosen, shooting sites picked, sets and wardrobe decided upon and calendars set. Phew! Just to get on TV requires so much work but that can only mean one thing…the consumer, YOU, are that important!

Here are some things you should look for this Super Bowl Sunday when viewing your million dollar commercials:

1. Entertained: Was it interesting to hold your attention for more than 5 seconds?

2. Comprehensive: Could you easily follow what was being said?

3. Emotional: Does the commercial create an emotion that causes you to the react to the brand?

4. Memorable: Do you even remember what company was trying to get your attention?

5. Actionable: Will you purchase the product or visit the website or talk about it to friends?

Well that’s it. Of course, communication scholars will dissect the commercials and can probably add a few hundred things to my list. But at the end of the day, the consumer is the boss. YOU will be the deciding factor. So enjoy the million dollars it took to reach you and appreciate the barrage of commercials on Super Bowl Sunday. I almost forgot, enjoy the football game that happens in between. I know I will!

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