Anheuser-Busch is spending "a record sum" for the most
ad time it has ever bought on a Super Bowl broadcast, as it
"plans to run 9 spots during 5 minutes and 15 seconds," the
most time "by far" for any advertiser, according to Stuart
Elliott of the N.Y. TIMES. The Super Bowl spots "will
likely mark the beginning of the end" of the talking lizards
campaign, which "may conclude" in 6 to 12 months. Reports
have A-B paying as much as $2M for each 30 seconds to
guarantee category exclusivity. A-B VP/Brand Management Bob
Lachky: "It's pricey, but its not too much money when you're
the leader in your industry" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/21). The AP
reports that A-B, which has been the "lone beer advertiser"
during the past 10 Super Bowls, has "secured the rights" to
category exclusivity through the 2002 game (AP, 1/21).
SLAP THE PUNK: USA TODAY's Melanie Wells reports that
the "monosyllabic" Budweiser frogs will "speak full lines
for the first time," when Louie the Lizard tells them that
they've been "canned" as the brewer's spokespeople. One
"surly" frog, referring to Louie, says, "Slap the punk," as
he pops the lizard with his tongue (USA TODAY, 1/21).
SUPER BOWL NOTES: In Atlanta, Maria Saporta reports
that "starting today," the $7.5M fund-raising drive "to
cover the costs" of hosting next year's Super Bowl is
"getting into gear," as Host Committee Chair Bill Dahlberg
"makes his first pitch" for funds at the Metro Atlanta
Chamber of Commerce (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/21)....In
Denver, Bill Scanlon reports that the Broncos "offered to
sell" two tickets to the Super Bowl at the face value of
$325-400 to each of the 13 Denver City Council members.
Some members are "unsure" if they'll accept the tickets.
Denver Mayor Wellington Webb "plans to pay face value for
tickets for himself and whoever he takes" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN
NEWS, 1/21)....The NFL Experience, a 20-acre football theme
park in Pro Player Stadium's parking lot, is "set to start"
on Friday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children
(FT. LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL, 1/21)....Donald Trump is
"solo" in a Pizza Hut spot "due to debut" on Super Bowl
Sunday (N.Y. POST, 1/21)....In N.Y., Joyce Wadler profiles
Ed Micone, Exec Producer of Radio City Entertainment, the
company that produces the Super Bowl halftime show, and
calls him a "charming, fun-loving guy" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/21).
