Catalyst Sponsorship Consulting Inc. - News
February 9, 2011
Super Sunday Brain Stew
Super Bowl Sunday is always bittersweet. It is a tremendous day filled with good food, cold beverages, friends, family and usually - a pretty good football game. This past Sunday was no different. Unfortunately we have now entered what is hopefully only a 7 month off season. Here are some observations from February 6th, 2011, in no particular order.
Television Dominance
Super Bowl XLV set television ratings records both north and south of the border. In Canada, approximately 7.3 million viewers or 21.3% of the population tuned in to watch the big game. This makes it the highest watched Super Bowl in Canadian television history. 111 million Americans (36% of population) watched Green Bay beat Pittsburgh and in the process, Super Bowl XLV became the most watched “show” in U.S. television history. Last year’s big game between the Saints and Colts, and the 1983 series finale of M*A*S*H are number 2 and 3 respectfully. It makes me wonder what type of numbers Hawkeye, Radar and Klinger could have generated in this day and age.
Packers 31 – Steelers 25
Not trying to take anything away from a good game and maybe it’s just me, but this game never really felt that close, did it? Not a single lead change in a game will do that.
What a Life
As a 13-time All-Star, 3-time American League MVP, possessing a .303 career batting average, 613 home runs, and a World Series ring, things could not be any better for Alex Rodriguez, or could they? At 35 years old A-Rod is arguably the greatest baseball player of all time, due to make $31 million in 2011 and enjoyed Super Bowl XLV in a luxury suite while Cameron Diaz fed him popcorn.
Storm Troopers
Is anybody else curious how many individuals and how much money was spent over the last several months developing such a dynamic and impactful promotion? If anything is going to entice me to watch shows I’ve never heard of, it is black and white storm troopers playing football against each other through the streets of Toronto. Money well spent!
“Odd” Bets
Even in the midst of a recession, individuals are given the opportunity to place wagers on just about anything surrounding Super Bowl Sunday. In addition to traditional bets on the coin toss, first team to score and total points, fans were able to win (or likely lose) money on the colour of Gatorade poured on the winning coach (orange), length of Christina Aguilera’s botched rendition of the Star Spangled Banner (under 1:54) and what Fergie would be wearing during the Black Eyed Peas halftime show (skirt). A lot of folks are quite upset Ms. Aguilera didn’t learn the words to the National Anthem prior to taking the stage. Even after holding the final lyric “brave” for 11 seconds, she came in just under the 1:54 benchmark.
Next Big Wager
Las Vegas oddsmakers are currently finalizing the odds as to whether or not we will see NFL football in September, 2011. With a player lockout looming for March, optimism is low that a new CBA will be in place by then. In fact, optimism is low that a new CBA will be in place by the scheduled start of the season in September. I’d place the odds at about 6/1 we will see the season start as scheduled in the fall and wouldn’t bet a dime on it, even with those odds.
Chuck and Shaq Super Bowl Special
An average audience of 4.37 million Canadians watched the Pre-Game Kick-Off Show on CTV. If anybody out there found humour in the Chuck and Shaq Super Bowl Special featuring Frank Caliendo and Aries Spears, please send me an email, I’d love to meet you.
It’s Back!
In closing, wasn’t it great to hear a couple of chords of the CTV Olympic Theme Song? It has been such a long year without hearing that jingle every four minutes. In case you missed it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8i4NENkK3Q.
Jon Malton, Sr. Manager, Event Management, Catalyst Sponsorship Consulting Inc.
