Blockbuster Super Bowl Advertising

Blockbuster ran a new Carl & Ray ad ("Mouse Click") during the Super Bowl:

They also sponsored the Halftime report ("Blockbuster Total Access Halftime Report"). They must have spent a lot of money, because there are 4 different Blockbuster signs in this shot.

Just after the Super Bowl ended (and the ad rates went down), Netflix advertised on Criminal Minds.

Thanks to Dusty for sending this in.

Comments

[eazyguy52]

Super Bowl advertisements will cost about $2.6 million for a 30-second spot this year. (They cost a "mere" $324,000 when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in 1982.)

As for myself, I paid scant attention to the ads as I was working on another project on the computer during the game. But I watched it here so I guess they got their money's worth.

[Rusty Ramrod]

Those new BB rabbit ads are horrible. What a waste of money.

[Aron]

The Blockbuster commercial ranks second on Ad Bowl. Not bad.

I would think that all the references by the commentators (i.e. the picture above) are the most effective given the gazillions of times it was mentioned. I'd pay for that before a 30s spot, which makes me wonder what that cost.

It's interesting that Blockbuster chooses a male-biased program to advertise. I think Netflix advertising skews female.

[Hunter McDaniel]

I thought the rabbit ad was pretty cute, although they only showed it once. Their other spots were just minor variations on the ad they started showing last month.

[vio]

"Those new BB rabbit ads are horrible. What a waste of money."

Uhm, no. People fucking love them. This is regarding the first Carl & Ray Superbowl commercial:

"Blockbuster said the TV ad ranked fifth in consumer recall of Super Bowl ads according to research firm Ipsos-Reid Express Omnibus and finished among the top 10 in a USA Today poll. The spot won four CLIO Awards."

http://www.homemediaretailing.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?article_id=10233

[eazyguy52]

To be perfectly honest, when I see bunnies the only things I think of are Easter, Bugs, or birth control.

Of course, watching a DVD in bed could be considered a form of birth control....unless it comes from the shelf of Wildcats Video.

[hawk5391]

I saw it. I agree with Rusty -- it was unfunny like Caddyshack 2.

[type-cast]

All ads are horrible and would be a waste of money if you didn't watch them. (Hint Hint.)

[Edward R Murrow]

"It's interesting that Blockbuster chooses a male-biased program to advertise. I think Netflix advertising skews female."

I don't mean to put words in your mouth, but are you saying that Blockbuster is masculine and Netflix is effeminate?

Anyways, the Blockbuster ad was pretty funny. Not quite as funny as the guy getting hit in the head with a rock for a beer.

Yeah, they're expensive and probably not worth the money but they add to the whole Super Bowl experience. They're sort of like public service announcements.

[hueristix]

Budweiser has been the #1 Super Bowl advertiser, spending massive amounts while beer drinking is out of vogue and sales decline. (the beer they are advertising is not bringing in the money it used to, good thing that they sell other stuff!)

If you ask me it is money better spent elsewhere, buzz not-with-standing. I for one am glad Netflix would spend its money on excellent programming and customer experience, the consumer will remember that much more than talking bunnies.

[El Chango]

So....Netflix doesn't spend a lot of money on advertising and does have great customer service?

Hmmmm....

[hueristix]

"So....Netflix doesn't spend a lot of money on advertising and does have great customer service?"

I never said that, Chango. We are talking about spending $2.4 million on one ad! Of course Netflix has to spend on advertising, but that is crazy.

Never said customer service either. Customer experience is what I said, more inclusive than customer service. You better believe Netflix rules in that dept. In fact, customer service isn't really necessary most of the time due to the smooth experience.

[gir]

Well said.

[Edward R Murrow]

Amazon is heading in one direction in terms of customer support while Netflix is heading in another. Here's an interview with Jeff Bezos on the importance of direct line support of customers:
http://www.cio.com/archive/080100_bezos.html

So Netflix can talk the talk about caring about customers, but it seems to be hooey. Amazon talks the talk and walks the walk.

Is customer support included in the ForeSkin Results Customer Satisfaction award?

[type-cast]

"Is customer support included in the ForeSkin Results Customer Satisfaction award?"

They don't even include any CUSTOMERS in the Customer Satisfaction survey. It's based on random visitors who may not even be members. Kinda like going up to people on the street asking their impression of some company. It means nothing. BB can afford to pay for ads, because of the money they saved with having their employees push Total Access.