Welcome to Ad Meter 2020

Super Bowl LIV will be here before you know it, with the big game set for February 2, on FOX. And with less than a month to go, we’re also reminded of another exciting element: It’s also USA Today’s AD Meter time! Let’s bring on the Super Bowl …

Super Bowl LIV will be here before you know it, with the big game set for February 2, on FOX. And with less than a month to go, we’re also reminded of another exciting element: It’s also USA Today’s AD Meter time!

Let’s bring on the Super Bowl commercials!

This year marks the 32nd Ad meter competition, and it is starting to look like another good one. Complemented by the NFL’s centennial celebration, the possibilities for what types of Super Bowl commercials we’ll see are being unveiled almost daily.

Remember, if you’d like to have your opinion heard on this year’s commercials, you can register to be an Ad Meter panelist beginning January 15.

Until then, here a few updates as we get ready to kick things off!

Gathering metrics has changed

Due to 2018 regulations established in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Ad Meter will no longer gather personal metrics information (salary, location, age range, gender). You can read more about the law here: CCPA Law.

Fewer commercial breaks

Back in May, FOX announced that it would be cutting the number of commercial breaks each quarter, going from the usual five down to four. Commercial lovers shouldn’t worry, though: The cut won’t restrain the total number of spots, because each break will be longer than in past years.

Prices have not changed—fewer breaks have only increased the demand

The cost for a spot in the Super Bowl ad lineup continues to rise. This year, purchasing two 30-second spots will run $5.5 million per, while one 30-second spot is $5.6 million. Because of the fewer breaks, advertisers are moving quickly to get into the mix, with only the 2014 Super Bowl (New York) selling as many spots at this current point of the process (as of 1/9/20). The demand, with a reported 25 advertisers positioning for the final 17 spots, might boost spends closer to $6 million!

Plenty to eat, plenty to drink

Anheuser-Busch is back, marking the 40th year as an official sponsor of the game. They told Ad Meter they’ll feature “Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold in four, 60-second spots.” Coca-Cola will be there, too, along with Pop-Tarts, Avocados from Mexico, Pringles, Snickers, with certainly more to follow!

Vroom! Vroom!

Of course, no Super Bowl is complete without a few great car commercials. Kia, which is celebrating 25 years, will be there on Super Bowl Sunday. Audi, Hyundai, Toyota, and Porsche have started their engines for a trip to the SB Commercial Garage, too.

New to the “game”

Facebook made the biggest inaugural splash, thanks in part to Sylvester Stallone’s social media post. Sabra will make its first appearance. Both, however, have been overshadowed by a particular campaign one-up: President Donald Trump and former NY mayor Michael Bloomberg, according to reports, will be fight-spending during Super Bowl LIV, with the two camps dumping millions for ad space.

And that’s just the beginning! Make sure to follow along all month as we get closer to Super Bowl Sunday!