The news this past week has been full of stories describing the new Super Bowl advertisements this year. Every story filled with superlatives touting how inspiring, or touching, or [add your own] they are. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Superbowl every year. And I watch all the ads just like everyone else. It has become and American tradition! The fact is that I had to actually ask someone else what teams were playing because I just don't follow football, an yet I never miss the Superbowl.
Here the rub. They're just ads! They are not inspiring. They are not touching. They are selling! From the day after last year's Superbowl all of the top ad agencies in the country have spent the ensuing year dreaming up ways to make you feel "something" when you see their ad! They have endless focus groups to learn what will make you react. They pour over video for thousands of man hours analyzing every millisecond of it making absolutely sure of how it will make you react. All to sell you a case of beer, or a box of cheerios, or whatever it is.
I personally hate being manipulated, and even worse having it happen without my realizing. So this year while enjoying the game (and yes, the commercials) I will remember, when I feel that tear welling up in the corner of my eye, that it's just a box of cereal... and nothing more.
Rant Over... Time for the Big Game! (by the way, who's playing?)
