Skittles "for the first time" will be featured in a Super Bowl ad during NBC's broadcast of the Feb. 1 game, according to sources cited by E.J. Schultz of AD AGE. Wrigley's parent company, Mars Inc., is a regular Super Bowl advertiser that has "typically showcased brands from its North American chocolate division, such as M&Ms or Snickers." The company is "expected to continue that strategy" during Super Bowl XLIX, meaning the Skittles ad would "represent additional Super Bowl spending by Mars." Skittles' Super Bowl spot would "continue its relatively new football marketing push," as Mars earlier this year "added Skittles to its NFL sponsorship roster." Although Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch is "associated with the brand, there are no indications at this point that he would star in a Super Bowl ad" (ADAGE.com, 11/13).
WELCOME TO THE CLUB? NBC’s Jimmy Fallon during his monologue Thursday night noted NBC still has 10 30-second ad slots "left to sell for its Super Bowl broadcast this year." He said that means "there’s a chance that some lesser known products might be able to get their own commercials featured during the Super Bowl." Fallon: "Some of these products I’m seeing now, I’ve never heard of. I mean, take a look at this one.” He then showed a video for the fictitious "Jog Strap," in which users place a water bottle in a strategically placed pouch on a jock strap (
“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 11/13).
