If you’re like me, then you watch the Super Bowl more for the commercials rather than the game itself.
This year, the Super Bowl is going to be different since it’s happening in the middle of a global pandemic. But it’s also going to be quite different since a key player in the commercials, Budweiser, made the announcement that they will not be airing a Super Bowl commercial for the first time in 37 years!
The announcement was made through Twitter, where they wrote that they will be “helping to safely bring America back together again soon.”
The post included a video of images – everything from people virtually connecting during the coronavirus pandemic to NBA players showing solidarity for Black Lives Matter, as well as healthcare workers receiving their vaccines – all set to the song, “Lean On Me.” The video ends with Budweiser saying they will be using their ad dollars to fund awareness for the COVID-19 vaccine.
While a commercial from Budweiser will be missing from the line up this year for the first time in more than thirty years, according to the Associated Press, Anheuser-Busch will still be putting forth advertisement for their other brands like Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade, Michelob Ultra, and Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer throughout the broadcast.
But Budweiser isn’t the only big name that will be forgoing a commercial in the Super Bowl this year. Both Pepsi and Coke will be sitting this one out as well. According to the Associated Press, PepsiCo decided to not air a commercial in favor of putting their focus on the halftime show, which they’re sponsoring.
But Mountain Dew and Frito-Lay products, with are both owned by PepsiCo, will still be advertised during the broadcast. And another Super Bowl staple who will not be seen this year is Avocados from Mexico.
According to experts, there are a number of reasons why advertisers might not be putting forward a commercial in this year’s Super Bowl. It can be anything from high advertising prices during an economically difficult time, to the health risk associated with filming these commercials during a global pandemic. The entire uncertainty of the current state of things might also be a factor in advertisers opting out this year, as it seems the news surrounding the pandemic is constantly changing – it’s not worth the risk.
Still, there will be loads of other commercials to be seen during the game from other well-known brands like M&M’s and Pringles.
What do you think of these Super Bowl mainstays not putting forth a commercial this year? Let us know!