Super Bowl Sunday is a big deal. Never mind the football teams (sorry, no disrespect to the New England Patriots  and NY Giants), but as everyone knows, it’s an annual opportunity for advertisers to show off their best stuff.
This year, a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl costs on average $3.5 million. So in one minute, advertisers spend $7 million.
Are we envious that Honda’s spending money not on ocean conservation but on advertising with Matthew Broderick?
or Volkswagen’s spending money not on ocean conservation but with a dog?
Of course we would always prefer a nice donation! -: )
Just to put that in perspective vis a vis The Ocean Project, those 60 seconds of advertising dollars could keep us operating nicely till about 2050! Not having to fundraise for operating costs for a few decades would make us much more productive, allowing us to free up time and creative energy to ramp up our activities and have a laser sharp focus on doing what we need to do to protect our world’s ocean.  The ocean would become healthier and more productive.
But at least we can celebrate one of our partners, SeaWeb, which presumably got a donated 30 second spot, which viewers in the San Francisco Bay Area will be able to see live during the pre-game show. Bob Talbot brought his amazing talents to bear, with stunning footage supported by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Watch it here:
(If you cannot see the ad here, please link to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJEMR3uFPTI)

As SeaWeb president, DawnMartin says, “Most of these viewers will be focused on the end zone rather than the tidal zone and this commercial will spark them to think about both!”  Let’s hope there is lots of action in the end zones and in helping the tidal zones, and the wider ocean!

It was a unique approach for an ad to have the screen be completely and intentionally black for part of the 30-second spot. Let us know what you think about this ad: Does it work for you? Do you think it’s effective? Think it will inspire people to take action?