Two of P&G's home care brands will "make their Super Bowl debuts" this February as Mr. Clean and Febreze will each have 30-second spots in the game, according to Jack Neff of AD AGE. A spokesperson said that Febreze's spot from Grey, N.Y., in the second quarter is "part of an effort that will also include an online video, a digital campaign and teaser spot to be released later this month." Mr. Clean, the official cleaner of Super Bowl LI, will have its spot during the third quarter "from Leo Burnett, Toronto, with a teaser to be released later this month." Laundry detergents "have advertised on the Super Bowl in recent years," but household cleaners and deodorizers have been "fairly rare" (ADAGE.com, 1/5).
DRIVE MY CAR: ADWEEK's Kristina Monllos noted Audi will be part of the Super Bowl's advertising lineup, with Venables Bell & Partners, S.F., to "handle the spot." This year "marks Audi's ninth Super Bowl ad." It is "unclear what the sport's narrative will be, how long it will be or when it will appear during the game." Audi is the "third auto brand, after Honda and Kia, to confirm that it will be part of the Super Bowl" (ADWEEK.com, 1/5). AD AGE's E.J. Schultz noted Audi sat out Super Bowl 50, "ending a streak of seven straight appearances" (ADAGE.com, 1/5).
TAX RELIEF: TurboTax earlier this month announced its Super Bowl plans are part of a larger campaign featuring several celebs, and Tennis Channel’s Jon Wertheim said the spot featuring former MLBer David Ortiz as a tennis teacher is a "candidate for the best commercial on television.” Wertheim: “For the record, Ortiz’ representatives say while he enjoys the sport of tennis, he is not an expert player.” Tennis Channel’s Mary Carillo: “That was kind of a fun commercial” (“Tennis Channel Live,” Tennis Channel, 1/5).
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST: ADWEEK's Jason Lynch cited sources as saying that Fox Sports "still has a few spots remaining" for the game and "has been seeking" north of $5M for the 30-second spots. That is above the $5M CBS was "able to command for Super Bowl 50." CBS "held back a few Super Bowl spots until the last minute." The Fox Sports ad sales team "hasn't been affected by the September departure" of Fox Networks Group President of Ad Sales Toby Byrne, whose position "still hasn't been filled." Buyers said that Fox Exec VP/Sports Sales Neil Mulcahy has "anchored the ship in Byrne's absence and that Fox is only a little behind the pace of previous Super Bowl years" (ADWEEK.com, 1/5).
