February 07, 2005

No Miller Super Bowl Ads?

I've gone through the online edition of the Journal Sentinel and I found no story reporting on the lack of any Miller ads during the Super Bowl. Ifilm is hosting the ads and it confirmed that Miller didn't air any. When was the last time the #2 beer maker didn't advertise during the Super Bowl? I want to know what SABMiller is thinking. I'm sure shareholders would too. I've e-mailed SABMiller and hope to get a response.

Another company that didn't air a commercial was Coors. Usually the Super Bowl is dominated by engagements in the beer wars. This year, two decided to play pacifists.

UPDATE: It seems Anheuser-Busch bought the privilage of being the only beer company to air ads during the Super Bowl. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports, "The company has been the exclusive Super Bowl beer advertiser since 1986 and has the rights locked up through next year's game." That can't be right. Miller and Coors have both had beer commercials during the game in the last 19 years. I swear I saw them. I guess not because this Journal Sentinel article backs up the other two. Guess my senility has set in very early.

UPDATE II: Speaking of Super Bowl ads, the racy GoDaddy.com ad only got to be aired once.

UPDATE III: Miller Brewing quickly responded to my e-mail by pointing out A-B's exclusive SB deal. I'm happy they responded so quickly to a set of ill-informed questions.