Debbie Laskey's Blog

Welcome to Debbie Laskey's insights and commentary about BRANDING, MARKETING, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL MEDIA, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, and CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES. Debbie has worked in high-tech, the Consumer Marketing Department at Disneyland Paris in France, nonprofits, and insurance. Expertise includes strategic planning, brand development, marketing plans and audits, competitive positioning, websites, communications, public relations, employee engagement, customer experiences, and social media marketing.

Showing posts with label Super Bowl branding. Show all posts

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Marketing News of the Month: Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, Winter Olympics, and More

During the month of February, there were news stories that reflected advertising, brand experiences, brand identity, brand storytelling, cobranding, customer experience marketing, gender equality, holiday marketing, leadership, packaging, personal branding, pricing, social media marketing, special event marketing, and more.

SUPER BOWL LX

The Seattle Seahawks were favored by nearly everyone to win this year's big game, and the energy on the field seemed to favor them from the moment the game began. While there were three field goals in the first half, the first touchdown did not appear until the third quarter, but by then, most viewers knew the outcome. The final score was Seattle over the Patriots 29-13. According to CNN, "The Super Bowl is not a regular football game - and its ticket prices reflect that. The cheapest seat available on TickPick (a secondary reseller) was $3,800 - and the average ticket cost more than $6,200."

An interesting note according to Fortune magazine, "In addition to the Lombardy Trophy and a ring, winners of the 2026 Super Bowl receive $178,000; and losers receive $96,000."

This year, while many of the typical wagers made before the game (such as, wagers between mayors, governors, senators, restaurants, art museums, zoos, etc.) did not happen, many zoo animals across the country provided their predictions.

While there was no ad similar to Apple's 1984 ad; no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser's post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales; no animated Coca Cola polar bears; and no Tweet clever enough to rival Oreo's "dunking in the dark" from 2013's "Blackout Bowl" at the Superdome in New Orleans; some ads did stand out to me:

BUDWEISER - "American Icons": Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal found an eaglet, a baby eagle, and during the span of the ad, helped it to learn how to fly. The ad's imagery was impressive - and the ad was the best of this year's crop of ads.

PEPSI - "The Choice": At the Super Bowl time of year, a polar bear is synonymous with Coca-Cola. So once the viewer sees a polar bear, Coca-Cola immediately comes to mind. However, not so fast. In this humorous ad, the polar bear is happy once he drinks from a PEPSI can!

LAY'S POTATO CHIPS - "Last Harvest": A father celebrates retirement as a farmer and gives his farm to his daughter. The ad celebrates family and American farming.

MINIONS & MONSTERS: A day before the Super Bowl, there was a post on Twitter/X with the message "getting super close." (Note the use of the word "super.") Then, there was a brief ad during the big game mentioning that the new Minions film would arrive in theaters on July 1st - and invited viewers to watch the trailer. So, this Minions fan immediately visited Twitter/X to watch the film's trailer. Looks like fun! This was an excellent combination of TV advertising with social media.

CUSTOMERS SPEAK OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Did you hear about the brouhaha following the Super Bowl regarding Amazon and Ring? CNN reported, " Ring, the Amazon-owned video doorbell company, canceled its partnership with technology firm Flock Safety, according to the company on February 12th. The termination comes after backlash over the partnership and Ring's Super Bowl commercial, which advertised a feature for finding lost pets that sparked concerns on social media about unwanted surveillance. The smart camera company previously planned to integrate Flock, which makes cameras for reading license plates, into its Community Requests feature that allows law enforcement to request video footage from users for investigations...A report from independent publication 404 Media last year indicated that Flock's technology had been used in connection with immigration investigations, raising concerns from privacy advocates. Flock has repeatedly disputed the report.

It appears that the fact that customers' fears swelled on social media after the Super Bowl commercial resulted in the end of the partnership.

WELCOME TO A "THEME PARK" CALLED THE "SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE"

According to The San Jose Mercury News, "For 2026, the Super Bowl Experience took place at Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco from February 3rd to February 7th. Often referred to as the NFL's theme park, the sprawling exhibition offers interactive games, memorabilia, and a chance for fans to get player autographs. It travels from host city to host city each year (and takes place during the week leading up to the Super Bowl). One of the exhibition's staples gives fans the chance to see if they have what it takes to be a professional football player. Can they run a 40-yard dash faster than the 4.21-second record set by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy at the 2024 combine? Or can they jump higher than the 45 inches Chris Conley, a wide receiver who finished his career with the San Francisco 49ers, reached in 2015? Other skills challenges will test your throwing accuracy and agility and whether you can kick an extra point when the game is on the line.

The Super Bowl Experience also acts as a museum for the NFL's crown jewels. Fans can view all 59 Super Bowl rings made from the champion teams ranging from the Green Bay Packers to the Philadelphia Eagles. The rings have gotten larger and more ornate as the years have gone on: The latest, the Super Bowl LIX ring, contains 145 diamonds. The seven-pound sterling silver Vince Lombardi Trophy will also be on display.

For those looking to get a behind the scenes look at the official football of the NFL, workers from Wilson Sporting Goods' factory in Ada, Ohio, will be onsite churning out pigskins by hand. David Picioski, head of marketing for team sports for Wilson Sporting Goods, said the company has condensed the labor-intensive 20-step process to something that can be done in 20 minutes with stations focused on sewing, turning, lacing, and molding. Fans can design their own football and work alongside Wilson workers to put it together for $399."

POSTSCRIPT: NFL SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

According to the Seattle Times, "The Seahawks organization, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen until his death in 2018, is run by Allen’s sister Jody Allen. On February 18th, less than two weeks after winning the Super Bow, the Seahawks announced the estate had commenced a formal sale process, consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy." CBS News reported, "The sale is expected to fetch a record-breaking price for an NFL franchise, topping the $6.05 billion the Washington Commanders sold for in 2023. ESPN has reported the team could sell for between $7 billion and $8 billion. The news of the sale comes just weeks after a spokesman for the ownership group disputed reports the team was for sale."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND INSOMNIA COOKIES

MediaPost reported, "Insomnia Cookies has announced its first Valentine’s Day celebration, appealing to those looking for a sweet date night spot. For the first time, customers will be able to make dine-in reservations at select bakeries across the country and Canada for Valentine's Day. Reservations are now open for Insomnia Rewards members for February 12th and 13th from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. local time. The reservation secures a $30 prix fixemenu of one 6-pack of cookies, three dipping sauces (milk chocolate, white chocolate, and caramel) and two bottles of milk. Reservations are available at Insomnia locations in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Brooklyn, Chicago, Detroit, Durham, North Carolina, Houston, Knoxville, and Los Angeles. The Insomnia cookie lineup in honor of Valentine’s Day includes Red Velvet Classic, Red Velvet Cookies 'N Cream Brookie, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Classic, Red Velvet Cheesecake Classic, and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Lava Cake Classic."

According to Seth Berkowitz, CEO and founder of Insomnia Cookies, "The event is “in honor of one of the most indulgent times of the year. We look forward to sharing our love for warm cookies with our Insomniacs to continue creating meaningful connections with consumers rooted in insatiable cravings."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND VOODOO DOUGHNUTS

KATU in Portland, Oregon reported, "Love is in the air and so is the smell of fresh doughnuts. That is especially true this Valentine’s season at beloved Portland staple Voodoo Doughnut. This year, Voodoo Doughnut is giving couples a chance to ditch traditional ballrooms and say “I dough” somewhere a little sweeter. Through its ‘Til Death Dough Us Part Wedding Giveaway, Voodoo will host 10 lucky couples inside its iconic pink shops, transforming a legendary doughnut stop into an unexpectedly charming wedding venue. Because nothing says true love quite like donuts, especially when you’re committing for batter or worse.

From January 27th through February 14th, couples can enter for a chance to win a Voodoo Doughnut Wedding Ceremony Package and tie the knot at a participating location. Each winning pair will receive a short-and-sweet ceremony, legal or non-legal, officiated by a Voodoo representative, with room for up to 24 guests, depending on the location. The package also comes fully sprinkled with perks: two Voodoo Dozens (or vegan dozens), custom 12-inch newlywed dolls inspired by the couple, a heart-shaped doughnut centerpiece, and Magic Roast coffee to keep guests buzzing with joy."

According to Taylor Fish, Voodoo Doughnut’s director of marketing, "When your wedding venue includes pink boxes and custom doughnuts that look like you and your partner, it’s something people remember. And that’s exactly what we love about it."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND DUNKIN'

Starting January 28th, Dunkin' introduced its lineup of seasonal items for Valentine's Day, and throughout the season, all filled doughnuts will be available either round or heart-shaped, and sprinkled doughnuts will feature pink, red, and white sprinkles. Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Apart from the return of the seasonal Brownie Batter Donut (a yeast doughnut with brownie batter-flavored buttercream filling, chocolate icing, and sprinkles) and the Cupid’s Choice Classic Donut filled with Bavarian cream and topped with strawberry flavored icing and sprinkles, the chain is offering themed tins for its Munchkins doughnut holes as well as a number of drinks including: Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Daydream Refresher, Blush Spritz Refresher, Toxic Ex-Presso Cloud Latte, Sweet On You Cloud Latte, The Perfect Matcha, and Buff Chai.

VALENTINE'S DAY AND RED LOBSTER AND VASELINE

According to Delish, "Red Lobster and Vaseline hosted a reservation-only Kissing Booth experience in New York City's Times Square from February 10th to 12th. Couples got a five-course lobster-heavy meal with themed cocktails, all curated around the Valentine's Day vibe. And the final "course" was a complimentary Vaseline Lip Therapy balm for kiss-ready lips."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND SOCAL HONDA DEALERS

According to Southern California Honda Dealers' account on Twitter/X, "Valentine's season is officially here. From courthouse "I do's" to dream honeymoon views, we're helping you kick off your forever with a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS! We are popping up at courthouses to gift couples with a staycation or honeymoon on us."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, New York City's Empire State Building (ESB) announced on its website, "Experience romance at the Empire State Building this February! From artistic painting sessions and intimate movie screenings to romantic sunrise views, ESB offers unique ways to celebrate every love story. Share a kiss above the city lights, toast to your love, and create unforgettable memories."

And how about this idea? "Celebrate your love in the most iconic way possible – a proposal at the World’s Most Romantic Building with the price of $1,000."

CHOCOLATE PRICES SURGE

Chocolate lovers experienced sticker shock this Valentine's Day. According to CNN, "Consumer prices for chocolate have spiked 14.4 percent year-over-year during the January 1 to early February window, according to market intelligence firm Datasembly...The higher chocolate prices reflect the lingering effects of a global shortage in the primary ingredient: cocoa beans. That shortage, driven in part by poor harvests caused by extreme weather in West Africa, sent cocoa prices skyrocketing to unthinkable heights."

According to Stacy Taffet, chief growth officer at The Hershey Company, "We're focused on keeping items as affordable as possible," and noted that 75 percent of Hershey's products are priced at less than $4.

UPDATE: KRAFT MAC & CHEESE AND HEINZ KETCHUP

According to CNN, "Kraft Heinz is calling off its planned breakup and keeping the company together. The food giant that owns Kraft, Heinz, Oscar Meyer, and Philadelphia cream cheese said last year that it was splitting its business in two. The company's sales had slumped for years, and a breakup would have separated its growing condiment lines from struggling grocery brands like Kraft Singles and Lunchables. But the brands' sales have deteriorated further since the split was announced, making a spinoff less appealing to investors. New Kraft Heinz CEO Steve Cahillane, who took over at the beginning of the year after running Kellogg, hit pause on the breakup on February 11th and announced a turnaround plan. The company will invest $600 million on marketing, sales, and research and development to improve business. Once the company is growing again, it will be in a better position to make a decision on a spinoff, according to Cahillane."

LUNAR NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

Reuters reported, "China expects a record 9.50 billion passenger trips to be made during the 40-day spring festival holiday travel period, higher than the 9.02 billion domestic trips last year, a state planning official said on January 29th. China has extended its official Lunar New Year holiday week to nine days for the first time, aiming to boost domestic consumption. It will be held from February 15 to February 23. The 40-day travel rush during the country's biggest holiday is often read as a barometer of China's economic health and a pressure test for its vast transportation system. Railway passenger trips are expected to reach 540 million, with aviation trips expected to hit 95 million, both likely exceeding historical peaks for the period. Transportation capacity will be strengthened on popular routes and in favoured areas to meet travel needs."

WINTER OLYMPICS HIGHLIGHTS

According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Covender, the first woman IOC President, over 2,900 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees competed. The event was one of the biggest, most gender-balanced Games; and 85 percent of the venues were existing venues. The Opening Ceremony took three-and-a-half hours; approximately 1,400 costumes were featured; and Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli served as memorable entertainment. Which events did you watch, and what do you remember?

Ahead of the Opening Ceremony, Pope Leo XIV issued a letter on the value of sport. It read in part, "In a world thirsting for peace, we need tools that can put an 'end to the abuse of power, displays of force, and indifference to the rule of law.' On the occasion of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, I wholeheartedly encourage all nations to rediscover and respect this instrument of hope that is the Olympic Truce, a symbol and promise of a reconciled world...Sport possesses an extraordinary capacity for inclusion. When played correctly, it creates opportunities for participation for people of all ages, social conditions and abilities, thereby serving as an instrument for promoting integration and dignity."

Three aspects of this Winter Olympics stood out to me: (1) the fact that no women compete in the Nordic Combine event, (2) the fact that the Ukrainian skeleton athlete was disqualified from the Games because he wanted to compete wearing a custom helmet commemorating fellow Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives since the Russian invasion first began, and (3) the controversy around the curling competiton - an event that many people were not familar with prior to this Winter Olympics.

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN LUXEMBOURG

A new Bee Secure report revealed that "over half of young people in Luxembourg say that social media harms their well-being." According to the same report via RTL Today, "Both young people and adults see disinformation and fake news as the primary risks linked to digital technology."

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN SPAIN

According to CNN, "Spain will ban social media for under-16s and require platforms to employ strick age verification tools, joining Australia, France, and Denmark, in moves to curb the influence of digital platforms on children."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on February 3rd, "Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone. A space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation and violence. We will no longer accept that, we will protect them from the digital Wild West. We will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offense. Spreading hate must come at a cost."

IMPACT OF INSTAGRAM

According to CNN, "Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, testified on February 11th that he does not think users can be "clinically addicted" to the social media app. He is the first executive to testify in the landmark social media addiction trial against YouTube and Instagram parent company Meta in a suit brought by a now 20-year-old woman identified as Kaley. The woman alleges the companies intentionally developed addictive features to hook young users, which she claims harmed her mental health. The lawsuit is the first of more than 1,500 similar cases to go to trial and could serve as a test of whether the social media giants can be held responsible for claims that they've harmed young users' mental health."

Then, on February 18th, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, testified in Los Angeles. NPR reported, "Zuckerberg testified in a marquee social media trial accusing Meta of deliberately designing features of Instagram to addict children, and the legal team for the family suing was intent on showing that Zuckerberg's fingerprints were all over the company's big decisions. Mark Lanier, a Texas trial lawyer and pastor with a folksy courtroom demeanor, directed Zuckerberg's attention to a 2020 internal Meta document showing that 11-year-olds were four times as likely to keep coming back to Facebook, compared to older users. Instagram's minimum age for signing up is 13.

While debates about social media addiction have raged for decades, it has taken until now for a major trial on the issue to unfold largely due to a federal legal shield that has protected Silicon Valley. A law known as Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act has allowed tech companies to fend off lawsuits over what users post to their sites. Social media firms have also won legal battles, including a key Supreme Court case, that have found how companies curate content on platforms is a type of protected free speech. Meta and Google, which owns YouTube, argue that social media use does not directly cause young people to be mentally unwell, so they should not be held legally liable for a user's mental health struggles."

INSTAGRAM AND SHOPPING

According to eMarketer, Instagram tops social shopping choices for US adults, "37.2 percent of US adults say they're most likely to shop via Instagram, making it the top social commerce platform, ahead of TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube, according to a September 2025 survey from Power Digital Marketing."

AMAZON OVERTAKES WALMART

On February 19th, CNN reported that, "Amazon has surpassed Walmart as the world's largest company measured by sales, breaking Walmart's 13-year streak at the top of the list. Amazon posted $717 billion in sales in 2025. Walmart, the largest company in the world for more than a decade, recorded $713 billion in sales in 2025. Although the two companies are significant competitors in consumer retail, Amazon's revenue growth in cloud computing, advertising, and other businesses helped it overtake Walmart. Jeff Bezos started Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, but the company brought in nearly $129 billion in sales last year from its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division. AWS provides a vast network of computing, storage and artificial intelligence options to companies and governments around the world. AWS is also a key profit driver for Amazon and helps the company offset losses from its retail business. The majority ($464 billion) of Amazon's revenue last year came from sales on its online and physical stores as well as from third-party sellers. Amazon also brought in more than $100 billion combined from advertising and Prime subscriptions. By contrast, more than 90 percent of Walmart's sales come from its physical stores and websites. Despite Amazon's rapid rise, Walmart has adapted and is in its strongest shape in years."

BODEGA CATS IN NEW YORK CITY

Bodegas are defined by The New York Times as small corner stores throughout New York City's five boroughs, which have been an essential part of city life for decades. The term, popularized by Puerto Ricans, loosely translates from Spanish to "warehouse." According to Dan Rimada, founder of Bodega Cats of New York, "Around a third of New York City's roughly 10,000 Bodegas are thought to have a resident cat despite being liable to fines of $200-$350 for keeping animals in a store selling food. These cats are woven into the fabric of New York City, and that's an important story to tell." Rimada photographs the felines for his social media followers, and last year, launched a petition to legalize bodega cats, which drew nearly 14,000 signatures.

BASEBALL AND MOUNTAIN DEW

With spring training set to begin in a few days, on February 19th, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that Mountain Dew Baja Blast was now the official drink of Major League Baseball. Further, Mountain Dew will roll out a season-long promotion tied to the biggest home runs in the game. The "Get a Baja for a Blast" program will turn long-distance home runs into product rewards. More details would be provided.

TESLA DROPS "AUTOPILOT" NAME

Car & Driver reported that after the California DMV threatened to strip automaker Tesla of its dealer license, the automaker changed the way it markets its drive assistance features. California had previously ruled that the "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" names misrepresented the systems' capabilities, violating state law. So now, "Full Self-Driving" will carry the suffix ("Supervised") in all marketing material, while "Autopilot" has been renamed "Traffic Aware Cruise Control."

MINUTE MAID DISCONTINUES FROZEN CANNED JUICES

After 80 years, Minute Maid announced during February that it was discontinuing its frozen canned juices. According to the New York Post, "Once a must-have in family homes, the frozen juice concentrates include flavors such as orange juice, lemonade, limeade, pink lemonade, and raspberry lemonade. The company explained that the decision was made "in response to shifting consumer preferences" and it would "focus on products that better match what our consumers want."

FOOD PACKAGING LABELS

According to Good Morning America, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is making an immediate change in an effort to clarify labels on food packaging. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary spoke exclusively with "Good Morning America" about updating guidelines for the "no artificial color" labels on food packaging, as part of an effort to cut back on Americans' consumption of artificially dyed foods. For the first time, the label will now exempt foods dyed with natural sources like beets or watermelon juice from being designated as artificial colors. Products made with synthetic, petroleum-based dyes will not qualify for the label."

PEPSICO PRICING DIPS

CNN reported, "PepsiCo, the maker of popular brands Doritos, Lays, and Cheetos, is slashing the price of its snacks by up to 15 percent in response to customer complaints that they have become too expensive.

PepsiCo Foods US CEO Rachel Ferdinando explained that she's spent the past year listening closely to consumers, and they've said they're feeling the strain. "Lowering the suggested retail price reflects our commitment to help reduce the pressure where we can. Shoppers in the United States will begin seeing the new prices ahead of the Super Bowl, which is traditionally one of the biggest days for buying snacks. New labeling on the products will advertise the reduced prices."

ELIMINATION OF FREE HOTEL BREAKFASTS

CNBC reported, "Hotel operators are making changes to free breakfast options as part of cost-cutting measures. Breakfast service can siphon off five percent or more of a hotel's sales. Last year, Hyatt Place brand removed free breakfast from 40 of its properties, and Holiday Inn has adopted a breakfast buffet across the majority of its U.S. operations."

WANT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT OF BURGER KING?

Have you ever dined at a restaurant and then wanted to speak to the top person in charge? Well, according to a report by Nation's Restaurant News, Burger King president Tom Curtis will now receive calls and texts from customers. "For two weeks starting on February 17th, president Tom Curtis will spend four hours a day - including nights and weekends - taking unfiltered calls and texts from guests (the phone number is 305-874-0520), urging them to share their input about the chain's food, loyalty program, value offerings, a specific restaurant's service - name it. The more feedback, the better." Curtis added, "This will become a sustainable routine as long as I'm here. It won't be four hours a day, but a couple of days a week, and we'll rotate."

STARBUCKS VISITS IN THE AFTERNOON?

CNN reported, "Starbucks has an advantage in the mornings with coffee. Now, it wants to lure people back later in the day with a different type of caffeine boost. The coffee chain's US locations will roll out a new afternoon menu in the coming weeks, which will include new snacks and a variety of drinks different from its core coffee selections, including teas, revamped energy drinks, and matcha. (Since) afternoons are typically a slower time for the chain, there's potential for growth."

KITCHENAID'S COLOR OF THE YEAR

While you may be familiar with Pantone's color of the year, did you know that KitchenAid, the well-known kitchen appliance brand, also picks a color of the year? Well, KitchenAid's color of the year for 2026 is Spearmint, a refreshing, light, and uplifting mint-green shade featuring a unique tactile, sandy finish. In case, you need a refresher, some previous colors of the year included: 2025 was butter, 2024 was blue salt, 2023 was hibiscus (salmon), 2022 was beetroot (dark magenta), 2021 was honey (golden orange), 2020 was kyoto glow (yellow-green), and 2018 was bird of paradise (coral).

According to Brittni Pertijs, KitchenAid Lead Color, Material & Finish Designer, "For this year's color, we were driven by a desire to refresh our senses and find a moment of clarity. This color breathes life into a space, filling it with a soothing yet invigorating energy."

MARKETING BEGINS FOR SUPER BOWL LXI

At the end of every Super Bowl, the game's MVP often responds to "You just won the Super Bowl, so where are you going?" with "I'm going to Disney World." This year, the champion Seattle Seahawks went to Disneyland because it was closer to Santa Clara than Orlando, Florida. However, on February 9th, since ESPN will broadcast the 2027 Super Bowl, this was the post on the ESPN Twitter/X account, "We're going to the Super Bowl. ESPN reimagines the iconic "I'm going to Disney World" tradition with a new marketing campaign celebrating its inaugural Super Bowl that will take place on February 14th, 2027. The campaign includes 60+ iconic Disney characters."

THE END OF "WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES PROGRAM" IN TEXAS

Texas A&M University, one of the nation's largest public universities with more than 81,000 students in graduate and undergraduate programs, canceled its women's and gender studies program as part of a broader effort to eliminate teaching related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). NPR reported, "The latest changes are designed to protect academic integrity and restore public trust, according to a university statement."

Ira Dworkin, an associate professor of English at Texas A&M and vice president of the American Association of University Professors at the university's flagship College Station campus, condemned the move as an unprecedented political interference by the university's board of regents, all of whom were appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican. He said, "This is absolutely devastating for the faculty and colleagues who have done so much important and groundbreaking research and teaching in this area, and it's really devastating for the state of Texas. To have policies like this that allow politicians to determine what wonderful, brilliant students are allowed to study, is a travesty."

Chaitanya Lakkimsetti, an associate professor of sociology at Texas A&M who has long taught in the women’s and gender studies program, said it served as one of the few spaces on campus bringing students and faculty together from across disciplines. She met an English professor through the program, a connection that eventually led to a book they co-wrote on the #MeToo movement. She said, "We have to keep fighting and standing up for our students' rights to have an education that is critical for the times they live in."

Ms. Magazine reported, "PEN America, a national advocate for freedom of expression, criticized the decision, saying Texas A&M is running roughshod over academic freedom." According to Amy Reid, program director for Freedom to Learn at PEN America, "Forcing faculty to restrict what they teach censors the knowledge accessible to students. Limiting what can be taught in a university classroom is not education, it's ideological control."

The elimination of women's studies comes as other universities have curtailed or ended such programs in recent years, including the University of Iowa, Wichita State University in Kansas, New College of Florida, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2025, the National Women's Studies Association wrote a statement bemoaning the trend, "We are understandably saddened, frightened, and enraged about the current state of the field."

ANDERSON COOPER LEAVES "60 MINUTES"

In the latest shake-up at CBS News, journalist Anderson Cooper announced that, after nearly two decades, he will leave "60 Minutes" to spend more time with his children. Last year, Cooper signed a new contract with CNN. I will always remember Cooper's report from 2010 when he swam with sharks without a cage off the coast in South Africa.

NEW CEO FOR THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

A new CEO has been announced to take over when Robert Iger retires in March. Disney has selected Josh D'Amaro, who has served as Disney Experience Chairman, to be the next CEO. In addition, Dana Walden will become President and Chief Creative Officer and will report to Amaro.

According to CNN, there are five problems awaiting the new Disney CEO:

(1) TV is a dying medium and that remains a giant puzzle for Disney and its assets: ABC, ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel.

(2) Streaming remains cutthroat - part of the profit is due to increased prices, but an economic downturn could quickly lead to cancelations.

(3) Box office question marks - despite hits such as "Zootopia 2" and "Lilo and Stitch," making movies cost more money than their returns.

(4) AI and the attention economy - people's attention is increasingly fractured.

(5) Iger's shadow - Amaro will be leading one of the world's most well-known brands and will be doing it in the shadow of an executive who's been synonymous with Disney for a quarter of a century.

HISTORIC RISE OF THE DOW JONES

On February 6th, the blue-chip index surged 1,207 points, or almost 2.5 percent and closed at 50,115.67. It was the first time that the 129-year-old index crossed the historic 50,000-point milestone.

JEEP MAKER STELLANTIS CHANGES DIRECTION

In early February, Jeep maker and parent brand Stellantis, owner of Jeep and Chrysler, announced a reset of its business model after its enormous investments in electric vehicles failed to pay off. The strategy revision (to not focus on electric vehicle technology) followed similar — and expensive — actions by Ford and General Motors.

END OF THE PAPERBACK BOOK?

The Smithsonian Magazine reported in mid-February, "At the end of 2025, ReaderLink, one of the largest paperback distributors decided to stop supporting the format, which has been making reading accessible to the masses since the 1930s. It is the end of an era for the paperback books that reached generations of readers with their affordable prices, convenient size, and reliable ubiquity...The mass market format has been credited for helping launch the careers of Kurt Vonnegut and Stephen King...But e-books cut into the paperback books' margins, and sales declined."

According to Anne Paulson, store manager and bookseller at Cherry Street Books in Alexandra, Minnesota, said that the decline of the paperback doesn't surprise her but does make her sad, "It may take new books out of people's hands who could maybe not otherwise afford a new book. It's just one more nail in the coffin of removing reading and literacy from our radar."

CHANGE IN THE BRITISH LINE OF SUCCESSION?

Based on allegations stemming from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew lost his job as trade envoy for Great Britain and as a representative of the British Royal Family. Then, he lost his title as "Prince" and all his patronages. Then, he lost his royal home and moved to his brother's private Sandringham Estate (his brother is Charles III, the King of England). He became known as a regular citizen with the name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Then, he was arrested for "misconduct in public office." And now, the UK government is considering legislation to officially remove him from the line of succession. The new law, if implemented, would prevent him - who is eighth in line to the throne - from ever becoming King.

KENNEDY CENTER CLOSURE

ABC News reported, "President Trump announced that he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts center for two years starting in July for construction. His announcement follows a wave of cancellations by leading performers, musicians, and groups since he ousted the previous leadership and added his name to the building...Neither Trump nor Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, a Trump ally, have provided evidence to back up their claims about the building being in disrepair, and last October, Trump had pledged the center would remain open during renovations...Since Trump returned to the White House, the Kennedy Center is one of many Washington landmarks that he has sought to overhaul in his second term. He demolished the East Wing of the White House and launched a massive $400 million ballroom project, is actively pursuing building a triumphal arch on the other side the Arlington Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial, and has plans for Washington Dulles International Airport."

LOUVRE MUSEUM NEWS

The BBC reported on February 24th, "The director of the Louvre in Paris has resigned, months after the high-profile theft of France's crown jewels from one of the world's most visited museums. Laurence des Cars (who became director of the Louvre in 2021) submitted her resignation to President Emmanel Macron, who praised her decision at a time when, his office said, the museum needed "calm and a strong new impetus to successfully carry out major projects involving security, and modernisation."

In October, thieves used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the museum from a balcony close to the River Seine. The four main suspects have been arrested, but eight prized pieces of jewelry, worth an estimated $104 million have not been recovered. They include a diamond and an emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife."

A new director was appointed on February 25th, Christophe Leribault, who is currently the director of Palace of Versailles. France's culture ministry said, "Leribault's priority will be to strengthen the safety and security of the building, the collections, and people, to restore a climate of trust, and to carry forward, together with all the teams, the necessary transformations for the museum."

On a related note, according to the BBC, "The Court of Auditors report, drawn up before the heist, found that for years, managers had preferred to invest in new artworks and exhibitions rather than basic upkeep and protection. Basing its findings for the years 2018 to 2024, the report says the Louvre "favoured operations that were visible and attractive at the expense of maintenance and renovation of technical installations, notably in the fields of safety and security." In the period studied, it found the museum spent $143 million to purchase new artwork and $86 million on exhibition spaces. During the same time, it spent only $36 million on maintenance and $80 million on restoration of the palace/art building."

ONE DELI ASKS, "WHAT'S IN A NAME?"

Restaurant Business reported on February 27th, "Schlotzsky's was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1971 and, in the years since, has had almost as many versions of its moniker as it's had sandwiches on the menu. Schlotzsky's was first called Schlotzsky's. It was then changed to Schlotzsky's Deli. Over the years, it was called Schlotzsky's Bakery-Café, Schlotzsky's Austin Eatery, and then simply Schlotzsky's again. The chain started working on a rebrand in 2024, shortly after chief brand officer Donna Varner arrived. The company did a lot of consumer research, talking with hundreds of consumers, while Varner listened to franchisees. What did they learn? Not everybody realized what Schlotzsky's actually was. Varner explained, "People would say they weren't familiar with the brand. They would say, 'I thought Schlotzsky's was a dry cleaner. I didn't realize it was a food place until I saw Cinnabon.' (Clearly) we had a brand recognition problem." So, now, the fast-casual sandwich chain is changing its name once again, returning to the Schlotzsky's Deli moniker to remind customers what it's all about."

FAREWELL TO AMAZON BOOK CLUBS

Announced on February 27th and effective March 1st, Amazon made the decision to wind down its Amazon Book Clubs "to focus on other book discovery features for readers. After this date, book club admins and members will no longer be able to access their clubs or club-related content such as book selections and suggestions." While an email from Amazon thanked readers for "being part of this community," it also wrote, "You can explore Goodreads.com to browse and manage book lists and engage with the reading community."

In case you wondered, Amazon acquired Goodreads.com back in 2013 for approximately $150 million.

LA28 SUMMER OLYMPICS NEWS

According to ABC7 News, "More venues have been announced for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, but most of them aren't even in California. Six venues are being added to the mix for the men and women football (soccer) tournament. This includes four out-of-state fields in New York City, Columbus (Ohio), Nashville (Tennessee), and St. Louis (Missouri). There will also be matches in two other California cities: San Jose and San Diego. That's where group stage and knockout matches will take place. The final stage matches, as well as the matches for men's and women's Olympic gold, will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Those are set for July 28 and July 29, 2028."

Note, these new venues are in addition to the previously-announced venues in Oklahoma over 1,300 miles from Los Angeles to utilize existing, specialized facilities: Devon Park, which is located at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, is the venue that will host softball competitions; and Riversport OKC Whitewater Center, which hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Paris 2024 Summer Games, will host canoe slalom competitions.

"Organizers for LA28 say the goal is to expand its footprint to different regions of the U.S. and give more fans an opportunity to experience an Olympic event...Lastly, LA28 will become the first Olympic Games where all team sports feature at least as many women's teams as men's, establishing a new benchmark for elevating women's sports and advancing gender parity in the Games while laying the groundwork for a lasting impact on global sport."

Monday, February 9, 2026

It's a Wrap on Super Bowl LX's Ads and Social Media Conversations

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? Were you eagerly waiting for touchdowns? Or were you part of the 18 percent who only watched the game to be entertained by the ads? For marketers and many others, we tend to keep only one eye tuned onto the game because we really only want to watch the ads.

According to USA Today, "For one day a year, people can't wait to cozy up on the couch and watch commercials during the Super Bowl. For some, it's a nice sideshow to the big game. For others, it's the main event. In a world where everything is an ad, we do our best to escape them, unless it's the Super Bowl. Companies spend a fortune for just 30 seconds of our time, hoping to capture a market. It might just be the one day a year where the public isn't buried in their phones, channel-surfing, or doing a variety of other things at once."

For Super Bowl 1 in 1967, a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost $37,500 (which was more than the cost of the average house!) - and with inflation, that is about $350,000 in 2025 dollars. For Super Bowl 60, that same 30-second ad cost $8 million with some premium spots costing $10 million, according to Mike Marshall, head of global advertising for NBCUniversal.

According to Aimee Picchi, associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, "Super Bowl ads command a premium because the game is typically the most-watched media event of the year. That gives brands a chance to reach more consumers at one time than anywhere else, and many companies use the opportunity to trot out new products or introduce a new slogan. There's another reason why brands are so willing to pay up: About 3 in 4 people say they are actually excited to watch the ads during the Super Bowl."

According to Sean Muller, CEO of advertising research firm iSpot, "Advertisers are seeing the Super Bowl as an opportunity to catch a break from concerns about the economy and polarized political views. They really want to get people to not worry for a few hours. I think that's why humor has made such a surge."

An interesting note about the Super Bowl and branding. Ever wonder why the logos include Roman numerals? According to CBS Sports, "For nearly 60 years, the Super Bowl has become a central part of American culture well beyond the sphere of pro football and is one of the select few mainstream events still using Roman numerals, a system that has largely been forgotten. Although the numeral system of Ancient Rome began to fall out of use in favor of Arabic numerals around the 14th century, there are still a few instances in which Roman numerals are commonly used: on clock faces, to identify lineages -- particularly for royalty and other important figures -- and to denote each edition of the Super Bowl. The use of Roman numerals for each Super Bowl dates back to the fifth Super Bowl, with the league adopting the use of the system to avoid confusion over the year the game is associated with. The Super Bowl is always played in the year following a chronologically recorded season, so while this Super Bowl is being played in 2026, the game itself will determine the champion of the 2025 NFL season. In addition, the idea to use Roman numerals for the Super Bowl is also credited to Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who believed that their use would add an element of grandeur to the NFL's biggest game. Hunt, of course, is credited with coining the term Super Bowl."

According to AdAge's Amani Duncan, "When Cambridge Dictionary declared "parasocial" the word of the year last year, it captured a defining characteristic of consumer expectations: connection drives commerce. People want intimacy. They expect brands to feel like people, behave like peers, and communicate like someone who's read the channels they're in. You can't do that by holding growth audiences at arm's length. To build trust with these communities, a winning approach is to have a genuine and sustained posture to understand the experiences, habits, and perspectives that shape how these growth audiences move through the world. Today's growth audiences, who are younger, more diverse, and will continue to represent trillions in spending power, are driving culture. Economists see it, anthropologists agree, and consumers following behavioral patterns confirm it. They're reshaping aesthetics, values, and expectations at a pace that legacy marketing playbooks were never designed to match.

Here's the good news: we're in the middle of a once-in-a-generation reset that rewards the brands willing to get closer, listen harder, and step fully into the conversation. It requires showing up with enough humility and curiosity to be shaped by the communities you hope to serve. Because the brands that will win the next decades won't be the ones with the biggest budgets (although that never hurts). They'll be the ones who treated this as a real strategic assignment, engaging consistently, and understanding the communities' shaping taste and buying behavior. That's why the mandate for business leaders everywhere is simple: if you haven't won the trust and loyalty of growth audiences by 2030, you haven't built a business to last."

With that commentary in mind, it's worth repeating this timeless quote from Landor Associates: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?"

BUDWEISER - "American Icons": Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal found an eaglet, a baby eagle, and during the span of the ad, helped it to learn how to fly. The ad's imagery was impressive - and the ad was the best of this year's crop of ads.

PEPSI - "The Choice": At the Super Bowl time of year, a polar bear is synonymous with Coca-Cola. So once the viewer sees a polar bear, Coca-Cola immediately comes to mind. However, not so fast. In this humorous ad, the polar bear is happy once he drinks from a PEPSI can!

LAY'S POTATO CHIPS - "Last Harvest": A father celebrates retirement as a farmer and gives his farm to his daughter. The ad celebrates family and American farming.

While there weren't more memorable ads, during the game, there were numerous "on brand" posts on Twitter/X. Here are some, in case you missed them:

* Krispy Kreme shared a dozen specially-decorated doughnuts with the message: "$2 original glazed dozen when you buy any dozen. A winning play for your gameday spread. Don't fumble this sweet deal."

* Encyclopaedia Britannica shared a fun fact: "Behind only Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest food consumption day in the U.S. Bon appetit."

* Encyclopaedia Britannica also shared an interesting infographic: "Time to update your Super Bowl stats, everyone."

* Merriam-Webster shared a funny post: "snacks - noun - a light meal: food eaten between regular meals."

* Peeps Brand shared a number of posts throughout the game with cute graphics: "The Big Game goes small."

* Avocados from Mexico shared a number of posts throughout the game with memorable graphics: "The real championship was all the guac we ate along the way." (That one was my favorite.)

* Avocados from Mexico responded to Pepsi on Twitter/X: "@Pepsi Find someone that looks at you like your polar bear stares at guac."

* Dr Pepper featured a cute graphic of several bears drinking Dr Pepper rather than Pepsi: "Just wait til that Polar Bear tries a Dr Pepper."

* Ty Inc. shared a post with some of its toys plus the message: "Who's ready for some football? Time for play."

* Library of Congress shared an amusing post: "WHO is excited for Superb Owl weekend? These owls from the Library's Japanese prints and drawings collection don't seem that thrilled, actually, although it's sure to be a hoot. They're enthusiastic about Bad Bunny, but they may not understand that he's a man, not a delicious small mammal."

A few timeless words from Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at the London School of Marketing: "The Super Bowl is a phenomenon unsurpassed in the world. It is one of the few national social events, which is also why social media traffic during the game is so high...What is also remarkable is that advertising is not viewed as something to skip but is seen by 77 percent of viewers as part of the entertainment, and therefore, more watched and engaged with than any other television advertising during the year."

Today, the official countdown begins for Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in my hometown of Los Angeles. This will be the 9th time that the Los Angeles area has hosted the Super Bowl, commemorating 60 years since the first title game in 1967.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, "The Super Bowl has never been on Valentine's Day. The closest the game has ever come to Valentine's Day was in 2022, when Super Bowl LVI was played on February 13th. So why is Super Bowl 61 being played on Valentine's Day? It's all thanks to the NFL's expanded season. In 2021, the NFL announced that all 32 clubs would play 17 games. While the Super Bowl is not held on the same day every year, it was held in January from 1967 through 2003. It shifted to the first Sunday of February from 2004 to 2022. It has since been the second Sunday of February due to the expanded season. However, there has been discussion of adding an 18th game to the season, which would push the big game to mid-February. According to USA TODAY, another game will require amending the league’s collective bargaining agreement, yet will also expand the revenue-sharing pie for owners and players."

No matter how many games are played during next year's regular season and playoffs, will we see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time during Super Bowl LXI? We'll have to wait and see.

Image credit: Budweiser, Pepsi, and Illumination (Minions).

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad review posts (I've written them annually since 2012!), search #DebbieLaskeysBlog using the term "super bowl" to access all the links.

To learn more about eagles, check out this link:

https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/learn/faq/

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Fun Stories and Novelty Bets Leading Up to the Big Game

Many around the world are counting the hours until kickoff for Super Bowl LX on Sunday. The two teams also met at the 2014 Super Bowl when the Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. However, this time, the Seattle Seahawks are favored to win by the Las Vegas odds-makers and a menagerie of animals.

In case you've missed some of the excitement leading up to the big game, let's take a look at all the fun!

ANIMAL PREDICTIONS

While the annual wager between zoos in the two teams' hometown cities is not happening this year, a number of zoos are hosting animal prediction events. At San Antonio Zoo (Texas), Guacamole the rescued sea turtle predicted a Seahawks victory by swimming toward a themed lettuce snack. At Gulf Breeze Zoo (Florida), Kenya the giraffe chose the Seattle Seahawks at the "Third Annual Kenya Day" on February 2nd. Kenya has established a reputation for the annual, fun predictions at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, often acting as a Gulf Coast alternative to Punxsutawney Phil. At the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo (New Jersey), Lady Edwina of Essex, a groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing her shadow and also forecasted that the Seattle Seahawks would win the upcoming Super Bowl. At Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines, Iowa), Zarina the African lion predicted the Seahawks; at the Brookfied Zoo (Chicago), Charlotte the tarantula predicted the Seahawks; and at the Nashville Zoo (Tennessee), Wilbur the binturong (also known as a bearcat) selected the Seahawks by approaching a miniature Seahawks helmet covering a piece of banana. And at Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma, Washington), Forrest, a Eurasian eagle owl, has been promoted to "Superb Owl" ahead of the Super Bowl.

At El Paso Zoo (Texas), Hodari the lion, will charge toward one of two helmet-shaped piñatas on February 7th; and at the Capron Park Zoo (Attttleboro, Massachusetts), Lacey the leopard will make her fourth annual Super Bowl prediction also on February 7th. According to Capron Park Zoo, "Visitors wearing Patriot gear will receive a 20 percent discount on admission. Trust the paws. Trust the process."

ART MUSEUM NEWS

While the annual "Museum Bowl," where museums in the two teams' hometown cities make wagers to share a famous piece of art or place the winning jersey on a famous sculpture, will not happen this year, there is some excitement at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA). From January 29th through February 8th, visitors to SFMoMA will be able to enjoy a photo opportunity with the official Super Bowl LX Roman Numerals, on view for free in SFMOMA’s Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Atrium. Museum admission is not required for photos.

MAYOR WAGERS

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson told KIRO Newsradio that she and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu discussed possible wagers while attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., "There’s been some talk of Dungeness crab and lobster. Also, some talk about wearing each other’s jerseys while riding public transit. So, something is going to happen, but we haven't decided exactly what yet."

LAW ENFORCEMENT WAGERS

The Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad placed a bet with the Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. The losing chief must wear the winning team's gear and publicly announce on social media that the opponent is the best team in football. Chief Assad has authorized Rochester officers to wear Patriots hats while on duty leading up to the game.

BISHOP'S BET

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle and Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston have engaged in the "Super Bowl Bishop's Bet." This friendly wager involves a donation from the losing archbishop's diocese to the winner's chosen charity. This annual tradition highlights community, charity, and friendly competition.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS

Seattle Children's Hospital has challenged Boston Children's Hospital to a friendly wager. Both institutions are engaging in social media banter with Seattle referencing a focus on the future and Boston highlighting their own team pride.

RESTAURANT WAGERS

Seattle's Duke's Seafood (Dungeness crab) and Cambridge/Uncasville's Summer Shack (clambake) have a cross-country wager, with the loser shipping signature seafood to the winner.

Here are some fun bets that folks can make:

* Which Bay Area landmark will be shown first? (Golden Gate Bridge is favored over Alcatraz Island)

* Will the coin toss be heads or tails?

* Which team will score first?

* Who will have the most passing yards?

* Who will have the most rushing yards?

* Who will have the most receiving yards?

* What color will the liquid poured on the winning head coach be?

* Will the combined total points for the game be over or under 46.5?

* Will an unauthoized person (streaker) enter the field of play?

* Which song will be sung first by the crowd? ("Sweet Caroline" is even with "Country Roads")

* Who will be the winning team of the annual Puppy Bowl?

Only three days to go until kick-off, and hopefully, memorable ads!

Image Credit: National Football League (NFL).

Monday, February 10, 2025

Monday Morning Quarterbacking the Ads from Super Bowl LIX

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? Did you sit on the edge of your seat and keep track of the touchdowns and field goals? Did you know at the outset that the Philadelphia Eagles would be the victor? Or, did you eagerly await the ads? For marketers and many others, we tend to keep one eye on the game because we really want to see (and talk about) the ads.

According to USA Today, "For one day a year, people can't wait to cozy up on the couch and watch commercials during the Super Bowl. For some, it's a nice sideshow to the big game. For others, it's the main event. In a world where everything is an ad, we do our best to escape them, unless it's the Super Bowl. Companies spend a fortune for just 30 seconds of our time, hoping to capture a market. With diminished attention spans and countless things competing for them, the Super Bowl offers an opportunity to speak to consumers when they are more focused. It might just be the one day a year where the public isn't buried in their phones, channel-surfing, or doing a variety of other things at once."

For Super Bowl 1 in 1967, a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost $37,500 - and with inflation, that is about $350,000 in 2025 dollars. For Super Bowl 59, that same 30-second ad cost $8 million, according to USA Today's AdMeter, up from $7 million last year.

According to Aimee Picchi, "Super Bowl ads command a premium because the game is typically the most-watched media event of the year. That gives brands a chance to reach more consumers at one time than anywhere else, and many companies use the opportunity to trot out new products or introduce a new slogan. There's another reason why brands are so willing to pay up: About 3 in 4 people say they are actually excited to watch the ads during the Super Bowl. Families and friends typically watch the game together, and often talk about the spots as well as the game itself — a discussion that can carry over at work the next day."

Jura Liaukonyte, marketing professor at Cornell University's SC Johnson College of Business explained further, "This shared experience can amplify the emotional resonance of advertisements, making them more memorable and effective. When viewers watch the Super Bowl, they are not just passive recipients of content — they are engaged in a communal event."

This quote from Landor Associates is timeless and worth repeating: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?"

An interesting note about the Super Bowl and branding. Ever wonder why the logos include Roman numerals? According to CBS Sports, "For nearly 60 years, the Super Bowl has become a central part of American culture well beyond the sphere of pro football. And for many, the Super Bowl also prompts the need to touch up on a certain other piece of culture that always re-enters the collective conscience around Super Bowl time.

The Super Bowl is one of the select few mainstream events still using Roman numerals, a system that has largely been forgotten. Although the numeral system of Ancient Rome began to fall out of use in favor of Arabic numerals around the 14th century, there are still a few instances in which Roman numerals are commonly used: on clock faces, to identify lineages -- particularly for royalty and other important figures -- and to denote each edition of the Super Bowl.

The use of Roman numerals for each Super Bowl dates back to the fifth Super Bowl, with the league adopting the use of the system to avoid confusion over the year the game is associated with. The Super Bowl is always played in the year following a chronologically recorded season, so while this Super Bowl is being played in 2025, the game itself will determine the champion of the 2024 NFL season.

In addition, the idea to use Roman numerals for the Super Bowl is also credited to Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who believed their use would add an element of grandeur to the NFL's biggest game. Hunt, of course, is credited with coining the term "Super Bowl," and his Chiefs are competing to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row."

HELLMANN'S: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reprised their roles from the film "When Harry Met Sally" for a famous scene at Katz's Deli in New York City. This time, Meg Ryan needed some mayonnaise. This was a surprise ad, and for those of us who remember the film, the scene was hard to forget.

WEATHER TECH: Four female senior citizens took to the open road with the music in the background, "Born to Be Wild." This was a geriatric version of "Thelma and Louise."

NOVARTIS: The ad began by focusing on women's breasts, but as it went on, the emphasis changed. According to AdWeek's Bill Bradley, "Novartis put a spotlight on breast cancer awareness with the help of Hailee Steinfeld, breast-cancer survivor Wanda Sykes, cheerleaders, partygoers, and everyday women living their lives. The ad was a healthcare promo with a twist, showing breasts in all forms and fashions along with a message to pay attention to them when it matters the most. According to the ad, more than 6 million women watching the Super Bowl may be diagnosed with breast cancer, but websites like YourAttentionPlease.com are there to help with screenings and potentially life-saving information."

NIKE: The ad was entitled, "So Win," and was the first time since 1998 that a Nike commercial aired during the Super Bowl. According to Austin Curtright of USA Today, "Women’s sport isn't the future, it's right now. We're seeing it in packed arenas, in TV ratings, in the way people are showing up for the game like never before. Commanding attention isn't about being the loudest in the room. It's about making sure that when you step up, everyone takes notice. Women's sports have seen a stark rise in popularity in recent years, which each of the athletes featured in the commercial have played a role in. Nike is appearing to step up its commitment to women's sports."

BUDWEISER: Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal returned a lost keg of beer and proved he was just as talented as the adult horses.

COORS LIGHT: This ad's theme was the sluggishness of Mondays, and as a result, the beer changed its name to "Mondays Light."

MOUNTAIN DEW: Singer Seal became a seal and sang that he didn't have hands to hold the beverage.

LAY'S: A young girl planted a potato and watched it grow, eventually becoming a potato that would become Lay's potato chips.

DOVE: This ad spoke volumes. According to Just Jared, "The personal care product brand’s 2025 Super Bowl Commercial shows a little girl running down the sidewalk and brings an important message about how girls in sports are treated. "At 3, these legs are unstoppable. At 14, she'll think they're unbearable. 1 in 2 girls who quit sports are criticized for their body type...Let's change the way we talk to our girls. #KeepHerConfident."

During the game, while sharing posts on Twitter/X, some brands stood out with their posts, such as, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Jet Blue, Library of Congress, Best Friends, Avocados from Mexico, Minions, Samsung Mobile US, and LAY'S. If you missed their posts, check them out.

According to Google, "Wicked: For Good was not featured in a trailer during the 2025 Super Bowl. Universal chose not to preview the sequel to the Oscar-nominated musical. Wicked: For Good is scheduled for release in theaters on November 21, 2025. The movie continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda from where the first part left off. The sequel centers on the consequences of their decisions and further developments in the world of Oz. Universal likely didn't need to advertise Wicked: For Good as early or to as large an audience as other movies because of the excitement surrounding the first movie and its Academy Award nominations...Other movies featured in trailers during the 2025 Super Bowl included: Jurassic World Rebirth, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, and How to Train Your Dragon."

Today, the official countdown begins for Super Bowl 60, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California - home of the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the third Super Bowl to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second to be hosted by Levi's Stadium. Will we see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time? We'll have to wait and see.

Image credit: ABC6 Action News.

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad review posts (I've been writing them annually since 2012), search #DebbieLaskeysBlog using the term "super" to access all the links.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Super Bowl LIX Is Hours Away

Today is the day all football fans - and marketing experts - look forward to each year. For the two best teams, the season championship is on the line. But for brands that spend between seven and eight million dollars for a 15 or 30 seconds ad, it's easily the best day of the year for a brand to become as talked about as Oscar winners. Since the game is just hours away, let's draw our attention to some other fun stories surrounding today's event.

MUSEUM WAGERS

According to NPR, "Directors of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art will each put a master work from their respective collections on the line. A shortlist of masterworks that could be up for loan will be revealed once curators huddle to consider the potential spoils of victory...When the Eagles lost to the Chiefs in 2023, the Philadelphia Museum of Art loaned the 1875 painting "Sailing," by Thomas Eakins, which was on display at the Nelson-Atkins for two months.

Philadelphia museum officials announced the latest edition of the wager in what has become known as #MuseumBowl2025 will showcase two paintings by 19th century French artist Edouard Manet, considered by many to be an elder statesman of the Impressionist movement. If the Eagles hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, the Nelson-Atkins will send the 1871 work "The Croquet Party" to Philadelphia on loan."

ZOO WAGERS

According to NPR, "When the 49ers lost the Super Bowl in 2020, the San Francisco Zoo had to name one of their goats after Patrick Mahomes. The last time the Eagles lost, an iconic elephant statue at the Philadelphia Zoo, the first nation's first zoo, had to wear a "Chiefs Kingdom" banner.

This year, the Kansas City Zoo is raising the stakes with a challenge rolled into a bet on Instagram. The caption read, "How about the winning team donates $50 PER POINT that their team scores to a Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program of their choice?" The winning proceeds will be put toward conservation programs."

LIBRARY WAGERS

The Kansas City Public Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia created a friendly, literary competition in honor of the big game.

"We wanted to do a love competition, especially since it's February and also Valentine's Day month. We wanted to kick off something to show some love for the library. We're asking community members to share something they love about their local library in a Library Love Competition," said Juli Lancaster, Kansas City Library digital content specialist.

The last time the Eagles lost, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia Kelly Richards hosted a special Chiefs-themed story time where he read "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."

MAYOR WAGERS

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced their wager: Lucas will send along Gates BBQ, while Parker is wagering cheesesteaks.

GOVERNOR WAGERS

Cheesesteaks are also on the line — along with some Miller's Twist pretzels — for Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who put in their bets with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

PUBLIC SCHOOL WAGERS

According to NPR, "Kansas City Public School's Pitcher Elementary has cleaned up during the playoffs, winning challenges against a Houston school ahead of the Divisional Round game against the Texans, and a Buffalo school ahead of the AFC title game. Now, Pitcher Elementary has created a Super Bowl challenge from Dr. Jennifer Collier, Superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools, against The School District of Philadelphia: If the Chiefs win: Philly students and staff will wear red and gold to school and send some goodies from Philadelphia. If the Eagles win: KCPS students and staff will wear green and white to school and send treats to Philadelphia."

KANSAS CITY & PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL ADOPTION NEWS

According to NPR, "Stray cats and dogs at the Great Plains SPCA will be purring and wagging their tails if the Chiefs win on Sunday. The local animal adoption agency is collaborating with PAWS Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society in the Shelter Showdown, where shelters compete to see who can rally the most support from their communities. So far, more than $105,000 has been donated to the Shelter Showdown to care for animals in need — more than $45,000 of it in Kansas City and more than $38,000 in Philadelphia."

MEDIA WAGERS

Philadelphia's NPR station WHYY and Kansas City's KCUR also made a wager: If the Chiefs win, the Philadelphia station will send KCUR a basket of Philly food — soft pretzels, Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, and more. If the Eagles win, KCUR will send WHYY some KC barbecue. Bets between the local NPR stations in each Super Bowl city have become a tradition.

PUPPY BOWL XXI

Airing on Animal Planet on Super Bowl Sunday, Puppy Bowl XXI will feature Team Ruff versus Team Fluff as adorable adoptable puppies play their version of football and attempt to win the Lombarky Trophy.

GREAT AMERICAN RESCUE BOWL

Formerly known as The Kitten Bowl and previously broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, Great American Family grabbed the event in 2022. This third annual event will be broadcast in partnership with the North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization based out of Port Washington, New York. The televised event will be a cat and dog filled gridiron featuring pets looking for their fur-ever homes. According to Parade, "Between the turnovers and touchdowns, the special features heartwarming stories of pet lives saved through fostering. The goal of the show is to raise awareness of pet adoption and reveal the beautiful pets available in shelters in everyone's neighborhood."

GATORADE SHOWER

While there are a myriad of bets surrounding the Super Bowl such as which team scores first, which team gets a field goal first, which team gets a touchdown first, score at the end of each quarter, score at half time, and final score, there is one ridiculous bet that stands out: the Gatorade color for the end-of-game Gatorade shower on the winning coach. The tradition began in 1984 when nose tackle Jim Burt doused New York Giants coach Bill Parcells with a cooler of Gatorade. Two years later, after the NY Giants won Super Bowl XXI, linebacker Harry Carson snuck up behind Parcells and doused him with another Gatorade shower.

According to ESPN, "Splashing the winning Super Bowl coach with Gatorade has become more than a fun tradition. Guessing the color has become a prop bet that generates more than $1 million, although the wager is accepted only in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Illinois, as well as offshore books. The NFL isn't thrilled with the gimmick bet, per a league source, because of the potential for corruption with someone finding out the color ahead of time. But that won't stop a player or players from the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles from splashing the drink on their coach in a postgame celebration Sunday. By the way, purple is the current favorite at ESPN."

Jeff Kearney, head of global sports marketing at Gatorade, explained, "It turned into this thing that today, regardless of level of play - youth, high school, college, pro, international, you name it - a big moment, a seminal moment is oftentimes christened with that Gatorade shower."

And in case you're wondering, the most popular colors for Gatorade showers at the Super Bowl are orange, blue, and clear. The least popular color is blue, which has only been used four times since 1985. And red Gatorade has not been dumped on a Super Bowl-winning coach in over 25 years.

PHRASES IN END ZONES

For the first time in four years, the NFL will remove the phrase "End Racism" from the end zones of the Super Bowl game and replace with two messages, "Choose Love" and "It Takes All of Us." According to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy, "The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time, and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country. "Choose Love" is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation's capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia...The NFL began adding phrases to the field in 2020, as part of the "Inspire Change" initiative launched in 2018. Inspire Change is the NFL's social justice initiative, aimed at reducing barriers to opportunity, particularly in communities of color, and showcasing how the NFL family is working together to create positive change."

FOOD NEWS

Some food brands have special deals for Super Bowl Sunday:

(1) Buffalo Wild Wings will continuing its Super Bowl Sunday tradition for the seventh year in a row. If the Super Bowl enters overtime, customers nationwide will receive six boneless wings for free on Monday, February 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

(2) Krispy Kreme is offering special football-themed doughnuts, available at stores and for pickup or delivery. Each "Big Game Dozen" has six glazed doughnuts and six football-shaped cream-filled doughnuts, dipped in chocolate icing with white icing football laces. Also today, get an Original Glazed dozen for only $2 when purchasing any dozen (or 16-count minis).

(3) Dunkin': Start Super Bowl Sunday off with the new DunKings $6 Meal Deal, which comes with a Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Hash Browns and a medium Hot (14 ounces) or Iced Coffee (24 ounces). Midday, you can get revved up with the Sabrina Carpenter-inspired Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso; medium size for $3 after 12 p.m.

(4) During the Super Bowl, Chipotle will be sharing text-to-claim codes for the following events: when an extra point is kicked; when the team on offense scores a 2-point conversion; when the team on offense converts on a fourth-down play; and when any other event that takes place during the game which Chipotle determines is an "extra" event.

(5) Firehouse Subs: Keep an eye on the sandwich chain's Instagram account, where it posts Names of the Day. If your name is listed, you get a BOGO deal on any sub. Just show a valid photo ID in-store or redeem through the Firehouse Subs app or website.

What will we be talking about after the Super Bowl? Which brand will win the Brand Bowl, also known as the Ad Bowl? Will you be following and commenting on the ads in real time on Twitter/X, as in years past? Will you use Bluesky or Threads instead? Will the ads out score the big game? Tune in tomorrow morning for MY annual Monday morning quarterbacking about the ads.

Image Credits: Instagram.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Monday Morning Quarterbacking the Ads from Super Bowl 58

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? This year, the game went down to the final seconds in overtime yet, so for football fans, the game was a genuine contest. But for marketers and those who watch the game for the ads, there was not as much excitement.

There was no ad similar to Apple’s 1984 ad. There was no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser’s post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales. There were no animated Coca Cola polar bears, and there was no Tweet memorable enough to rival Oreo’s "dunking in the dark" from 2013. And one thing to note for this year's batch of ads: no brand mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic, which was a complete reversal from the ads during the 2021 game.

According to CBSNews, "This year's crop of Super Bowl ads featured dozens of top brands, from Anheuser-Busch's iconic Clydesdales to Uber Eats' spot featuring Jennifer Aniston and Victoria and David Beckham...This year's advertisers are not only spending $7 million to buy half a minute of airtime, but are also opening their wallets to secure stars like Jennifer Aniston and Snoop Dogg, as well as on glitzy productions. And many companies post their ads ahead of the Super Bowl, hoping to build buzz and capture attention."

According to Aimee Picchi, "Super Bowl ads command a premium because the game is typically the most-watched media event of the year. That gives brands a chance to reach more consumers at one time than anywhere else, and many companies use the opportunity to trot out new products or introduce a new slogan. There's another reason why brands are so willing to pay up: About 3 in 4 people say they are actually excited to watch the ads during the Super Bowl. Families and friends typically watch the game together, and often talk about the spots as well as the game itself — a discussion that can carry over at work the next day, experts say."

Jura Liaukonyte, marketing professor at Cornell University's SC Johnson College of Business explained further, "This shared experience can amplify the emotional resonance of advertisements, making them more memorable and effective. When viewers watch the Super Bowl, they are not just passive recipients of content — they are engaged in a communal event."

This quote from Landor Associates is timeless and worth repeating: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?”

Without further ado, here were the ads that stood out to me from this year’s group:

DOVE: The theme of this ad was to support, encourage, and empower female athletes. The hashtag was #KeepHerConfident.

DUNKIN: This ad featured actor Ben Affleck, his friend Matt Damon, and his wife Jennifer Lopez. Since Affleck had appeared in previous ads for this brand, the appearance continued his brand storytelling and humor.

BEST FOODS MAYO: This ad featured a cat who became famous by saying MAY-O instead of meowing. For cat fans, this was a very amusing and memorable ad.

KIA: A young female ice skater wanted to skate in front of her father and someone else who was represented by an empty seat at a skating rink. It turned out that the girl's grandfather was in a wheelchair at home and unable to attend the performance at a rink. So the girl's father drove her to the grandfather's home and hooked up his EV9 vehicle to strands of lights to create a beautiful rink in front of the house. The girl and her father brought the skating performance to the grandfather, thanks to the EV9. This ad tugged at the heartstrings.

BUDWEISER: The brand's famous Clydesdale horses made a return appearance and also featured a dog, who helped guide the horses through the snow to make a beer delivery. While the horses and dog are wonderful brand ambassadors, this ad was not as memorable as previous ads.

Also, there seemed to be lots of movie ads, more than in previous years. However, I am looking forward to WICKED THE MUSICAL, the next Minions installment, the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and the next installment of Kung Fu Panda.

During the game, while sharing posts on Twitter/X, the following brands stood out with their posts: Pantone, National Park Service, Library of Congress, and Elmo. If you missed their posts, check them out.

A few timeless words from Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at the London School of Marketing: "The Super Bowl is a phenomenon unsurpassed in the world. It is one of the few national social events, which is also why social media traffic during the game is so high...What is also remarkable is that advertising is not viewed as something to skip but is seen by 77 percent of viewers as part of the entertainment, and therefore, more watched and engaged with than any other television advertising during the year."

A famous brand stood out in New York City and also on Twitter/X for those around the world:

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING: During the game, the building changed the color of its lights based on which team scored a touchdown, and at the end of the night, the top of the Empire State Building was lit up in red to celebrate the game's winner, the Kansas City Chiefs!

Today, the official countdown begins for Super Bowl 59, scheduled for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the 11th time that New Orleans has served as host city. Will we see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time? We'll have to wait and see.

Image credit: Pantone.

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad recap posts, search #DebbieLaskeysBlog using the term “super” to access all the links.

To watch all the ads from Super Bowl 58, here’s the link:
https://sports.yahoo.com/super-bowl-commercials-grading-the-best-and-worst-of-the-2024-games-ads-161907255.html

Monday, February 13, 2023

A Recap of the Ads from Super Bowl 57

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? This year, the game went down to the final seconds, so for football fans, the game was a genuine contest. Also, at the conclusion of the National Anthem, for the first time in Super Bowl history, an all-female team of US Navy aviators conducted the pregame flyover, commemorating 50 years of women pilots in the US Navy. But for marketers and those who watch the game specifically for the ads, there was not as much applause.

There was no ad similar to Apple’s 1984 ad. There was no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser’s post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales. There were no animated Coca Cola polar bears, and there was no Tweet memorable enough to rival Oreo’s “dunking in the dark” from 2013. And one thing to note for this year's batch of ads: no brand mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic, which was a complete reversal from the ads during the 2021 game.

The difference this year from previous years was Twitter. Since Elon Musk took over in late 2022, many users left the platform, and some chose to not participate in the real time chats as in previous years. While some chatted on Mastodon, some remained on Twitter and discussed the ads using familiar hashtags #SuperBowlAds, #BrandBowl, #AdBowl, and #KelloggBowl.

According to Statista, the cost of a 30-second ad during Super Bowl 57 was $7 million. According to Forbes, the match-up between the Kansas City Chiefs (now 2023 Super Bowl champs) and the Philadelphia Eagles was the third most-watched Super Bowl, and 113 million Americans watched.

This quote from Landor Associates is timeless and worth repeating: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?”

Here were the ads that stood out to me from this year’s group:

DUNKIN DONUTS: This ad featured actor Ben Affleck working in the drive-thru surprising customers. The final customer was his wife, Jennifer Lopez, who asked why he was working there and asked for a glazed donut. This ad was funny and a surprise. Brands can never be sure if the use of celebrities will be a hit or a miss, but this ad worked.

PARAMOUNT PLUS: This ad featured actor Sylvester Stallone in a similar storyline to his film Cliffhanger. His three daughters were also a part of the ad. Again, the use of celebrities can be a hit or a miss, but the point was that Paramount Plus is a way to watch films, so the ad worked, and was also funny – since Stallone fell off the mountain into snow when he sneezed.

T-MOBILE: Two ads were laugh-out-loud funny. One featured actor Bradley Cooper with his mother. His mother could not read her lines correctly, and the two were nearly hysterical with laughter – causing the audience to laugh. The second ad featured actor John Travolta singing a famous song from Grease, whose antics are usually funny. Both ads were memorable.

AMAZON: This ad featured a dog that tore up everything in the house, so its family ordered a dog crate from Amazon, and a new puppy arrived – hopefully to entertain the dog. The ad tugged on the heartstrings. This ad also reminded viewers to watch the Puppy Bowl if they taped it for later viewing.

While AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO featured an ad that did not wow me, throughout the game, the brand’s Twitter feed was full of Tweets that addressed other ads. The Tweets were ALWAYS on brand and memorable. Therefore, big applause to this brand’s Twitter team!

And lastly, a few words about M&M’S. Prior to the game, the brand made a big deal and announced that actress Maya Rudolph would take over for the colored spokescandies, who were taking a break from their duties, which always included participating in an ad during the Super Bowl. In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, the name of the candy was changed, the inside of the candy was changed, and to be honest, it was hard to keep up with all the drama. But then, at the end of the Super Bowl, the spokescandies held a news conference, and all was right with the world: The candies/characters/brand ambassadors announced their return.

A few words from Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at the London School of Marketing: "The Super Bowl is a phenomenon unsurpassed in the world. It is one of the few national social events, which is also why social media traffic during the game is so high...What is also remarkable is that advertising is not viewed as something to skip but is seen by 77 percent of viewers as part of the entertainment, and therefore, more watched and engaged with than any other television advertising during the year."

There were some other interesting brands that stood out during the game:

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING: During the game, the building changed the color of its lights based on which team scored a touchdown, and at the end of the night, the top of the Empire State Building was red for the Kansas City Chiefs.

VIRGIN VOYAGES: This brand was a scoreboard at sea and showed updated scores on the side of its ship throughout the game and at the end.

Let’s not forget the friendly wagers made by these brands before the game:

PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART: Since the Chiefs won, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will now have to display a piece of art from the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

PHILADELPHIA ZOO: Since the Chiefs won, the iconic elephant statue will wear Chiefs-branded attire.

Are you counting the days to Super Bowl 58, scheduled for February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas? I am – with hopes that we’ll see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time!

Image credits: Debbie Laskey.

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad recap posts, search this Blog using the term “super” to access all the links.

To watch all the ads from Super Bowl 57, here’s the link:
https://www.cnet.com/culture/sports/super-bowl-commercials-2023-watch-all-the-big-ads-from-the-big-game/

Saturday, February 28, 2026

SUPER BOWL LX

CUSTOMERS SPEAK OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

WELCOME TO A "THEME PARK" CALLED THE "SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE"

POSTSCRIPT: NFL SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

VALENTINE'S DAY AND INSOMNIA COOKIES

VALENTINE'S DAY AND VOODOO DOUGHNUTS

VALENTINE'S DAY AND DUNKIN'

VALENTINE'S DAY AND RED LOBSTER AND VASELINE

VALENTINE'S DAY AND SOCAL HONDA DEALERS

VALENTINE'S DAY AND EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

CHOCOLATE PRICES SURGE

UPDATE: KRAFT MAC & CHEESE AND HEINZ KETCHUP

LUNAR NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

WINTER OLYMPICS HIGHLIGHTS

SHARE THIS: Team USA featured 232 athletes, the largest Winter Olympics delegation in Team USA history. #FunFact #WinterOlympics #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN LUXEMBOURG

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN SPAIN

IMPACT OF INSTAGRAM

INSTAGRAM AND SHOPPING

AMAZON OVERTAKES WALMART

BODEGA CATS IN NEW YORK CITY

BASEBALL AND MOUNTAIN DEW

TESLA DROPS "AUTOPILOT" NAME

MINUTE MAID DISCONTINUES FROZEN CANNED JUICES

FOOD PACKAGING LABELS

PEPSICO PRICING DIPS

ELIMINATION OF FREE HOTEL BREAKFASTS

WANT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT OF BURGER KING?

STARBUCKS VISITS IN THE AFTERNOON?

KITCHENAID'S COLOR OF THE YEAR

MARKETING BEGINS FOR SUPER BOWL LXI

THE END OF "WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES PROGRAM" IN TEXAS

ANDERSON COOPER LEAVES "60 MINUTES"

NEW CEO FOR THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

HISTORIC RISE OF THE DOW JONES

JEEP MAKER STELLANTIS CHANGES DIRECTION

END OF THE PAPERBACK BOOK?

CHANGE IN THE BRITISH LINE OF SUCCESSION?

KENNEDY CENTER CLOSURE

LOUVRE MUSEUM NEWS

ONE DELI ASKS, "WHAT'S IN A NAME?"

FAREWELL TO AMAZON BOOK CLUBS

LA28 SUMMER OLYMPICS NEWS

SHARE THIS: In 2028, for the first time in Olympic history, more women's soccer teams will be competing than men's. #FunFact #LA28SummerOlympics #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, February 9, 2026

Thursday, February 5, 2026

ANIMAL PREDICTIONS

ART MUSEUM NEWS

MAYOR WAGERS

LAW ENFORCEMENT WAGERS

BISHOP'S BET

CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS

RESTAURANT WAGERS

Here are some fun bets that folks can make:

Monday, February 10, 2025

Sunday, February 9, 2025

MUSEUM WAGERS

ZOO WAGERS

LIBRARY WAGERS

MAYOR WAGERS

GOVERNOR WAGERS

PUBLIC SCHOOL WAGERS

KANSAS CITY & PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL ADOPTION NEWS

MEDIA WAGERS

PUPPY BOWL XXI

GREAT AMERICAN RESCUE BOWL

GATORADE SHOWER

PHRASES IN END ZONES

FOOD NEWS

Monday, February 12, 2024

Monday, February 13, 2023