* 4 minute read *
The Super Bowl is a time to watch the best of the best duel it out to see who will win the coveted Super Bowl Championship rings and Vince Lombardi Trophy. But for marketers, the Super Bowl has another meaning — commercials!
Super Bowl ads can cost up to $6.5 million for a 30-second spot, with an estimated 80-100 ad spots to be shown during the landmark sports event.
That’s why AMA Philadelphia holds its Annual Superbowl Smackdown! This year, on February 15, marketers can engage in an online, panel-style debate and critical analysis of this year’s top ad spots.
Super Bowl Ads and the Smackdown: What to Expect
The Superbowl Smackdown starts with a “Pre-Smackdown Chalk Talk” led by this year’s moderator, Michael Solomon, where he’ll share insights and trends on consumer advertising. Afterwards, attendees will watch this year’s Super Bowl commercials and panelists will provide insights into the ads, as components of comprehensive marketing campaigns. Attendees can vote for their favorite ads too!
Ads aren’t the only ones competing. The AMA professional chapter with the largest delegation registered for the Superbowl Smackdown will receive much more than a trophy! The winning chapter gets a gift box chock-full of Philly’s most delectable delights to share among its members, including:
- Freshly baked Philly soft pretzels and bagels
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- A selection of delicious Tastykake pastries
- Bags of Utz Potato Chips and Herr’s Fire Roasted Sweet Corn Popcorn
- A package of Habbersett Scrapple (The crowning culinary jewel!)
There will also be a competition for students from our AMA collegiate chapters, the 2022 Philly Bowl! The collegiate chapter with the highest number of members in attendance at Superbowl Smackdown wins a suite of prizes worth far more than bragging rights, including:
- A State of Marketing Update from the AMA Philadelphia’s President
- A Q&A session on what’s happening in marketing and secrets for landing a job in marketing as an undergrad and/or a graduating senior.
- Individual resume critiques and interviewing tips from both chapter leaders and a recruiting and/or HR professional.
And as AMA Philadelphia looks to give back to its community, registrants can donate to Philabundance, a nonprofit that distributes millions of pounds of food and goods a year to those in need, at the time they purchase their ticket.
Speaking of giving back, AMA Philadelphia would like to give special thanks to Kyle Foor and Out of the Blue Productions (which is also the Superbowl Smackdown’s new sponsor) for providing editing and reel services to make viewing the ads at this event possible!
Meet the Moderator
Michael Solomon is a consumer behavior expert and speaker and is Professor of Marketing at the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University.
Solomon “wrote the book” on understanding consumers. Literally. Hundreds of thousands of business students have learned about marketing from his books, including Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being, the most widely used book on the subject in the world.
He advises global clients like Calvin Klein, Under Armour, Timberland, eBay, Progressive, Philadelphia Eagles (“Go Birds!”), and many, many more. As a marketing professor and an industry consultant, Michael combines cutting-edge academic theory with actionable, real-world strategies.
“I’m thrilled to be emceeing the Smackdown again,” Solomon said. “It’s always a great time, with amazing insights from the AMA community about what makes great — and not-so-great — advertising.”
Meet the Expert Panelists
Cassandra M. Bailey, the CEO of Slice Communications and the founder and current Chairwoman of Social Media Day, Inc., has more than 20 years in marketing communications. Though she began her career with a degree in international politics, economics, and philosophy from The Catholic University of America, communications has become her passion. She’s been tapped by various industry associations and media organizations to share her insights and experiences.
“I love participating in the Super Bowl Smackdown every year, “said Bailey. “It’s so much fun to debate the best and worst ads with some of the smartest and most talented marketing people in the Philly area. It feels like scoring a touchdown when the audience votes for the same ads I do and like a game-ending fumble when they don’t. Still, I’m back to play the game again this year and can’t wait!”
Brian Cavallucci, the Associate Director, Advertising for Subaru of America, is also looking forward to the event. Providing strategic leadership to marketing and advertising functions to create strong demand for the Subaru brand, he’s been instrumental to developing award-winning, creative advertising, including commercial work, digital media, and various media integrations.
Christopher D. Johnson, Global Brand Director at AstraZeneca, has more than two decades of brand management and healthcare marketing experience at AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, with special expertise leading new product launches. He’s led the development of consumer advertising campaigns for brands ranging from Tylenol to multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical products, including a Super Bowl ad.
“The Superbowl Smackdown always serves up a lively discussion and reflection on the business of advertising – what makes an ad good, great, or a total bust,’ said Johnson. “It’s great fun, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on how you might guide a marketing team when building an ad.”
Dana Weber, Global Director, Client Services at TPT Digital, has worked with some of the world’s most notable brands, including Amazon, Capital One, and Johnson & Johnson. She is a communications expert focused on strategic agency/client partnerships and brings over 15 years of experience helping brands achieve business outcomes through strategic digital marketing programs.
Want to get your Super Bowl ad game on? Register today!