Evaluating High-Profile Super Bowl Commercials: A Financial Perspective

Upon joining Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management in 2005, my engagement with Super Bowl Sunday underwent a transformation. The annual event, widely known for its high-profile commercials, suddenly began to hold a different significance for me. Instead of solely being about the exciting football face-off, the Super Bowl commercials became a showcase of strategic investment and marketing wisdom.

Diving Into the Game of Advertising

While the excitement of the game itself draws millions of viewers, the intervals are equally awaited for the innovative and often groundbreaking advertisements that companies pay a premium to air. These marketing strategies can impact a company's public perception and, in some cases, their stock prices. Here, we shall scrutinize three advertisements that particularly captured my attention, analyzing their potential influence on viewers and investors alike.

The Financial Implications of Super Bowl Ads

The substantial investment poured into these commercials has implications that resonate with investors, marketers, and the general public. For instance, Alphabet Inc. GOOG, the parent company of Google, not only vies for the attention of millions through its creative commercials but also showcases its brand's strength and stature in the marketplace. Being the fourth-largest technology company by revenue, and one of the most valuable companies in the world, a well-received Super Bowl ad could reflect positively on GOOG stock, capturing investor interest amid the festivities.

Northwestern, Kellogg, SuperBowl