Sure, Long John Silver's promised us free shrimp if NASA found an ocean on Mars. Major Internet service providers decided to team up to fight spammers in the courtroom. A teenager created the Sasser worm to help promote his mother's computer business. But you have to be oozing with media savvy to make the Best Advertising/PR Moves of 2004.
Countdown the top five moves of the year, starting with number 5:
5. Super Bowl Ads Set Price Tag Record
The very first Super Bowl advertisers in 1967 paid $42,000 for a :30 commercial. It's no surprise that ad rates have risen into the millions but after Super Bowl commercial rates dropped for two years straight (Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVI), advertisers questioned whether the big game was past its prime. Super Bowl XXXVIII put those fears to rest, raking in $2.25 million for a :30 spot.
4. Political Ad Spending Doubles for 2004 Election
Kerry or Bush? The decision seemed too close to call and more than $600 million worth of ads bombarded voters with reasons to help make their decision easier. Just weeks before Election Day, an estimated $500 million was expected to be the final number.
But in the last week before the election, key battleground states were flooded with an additional $60-80 million in political ads from the candidates and special interest groups. The Gore vs. Bush presidential campaign previously held the record with $290 million in political ad spending in the 2000 election.
3. Friends Finale Pulls in Second Highest Ad Rate in History
When the Friends cast said their last goodbyes, advertisers opened their wallets and forked out $2 million for a :30 commercial. This price tag broke records and became the second highest all-time commercial rate in history, just behind the 2004 Super Bowl. Before the last episode, Friends pulled in $400,000 to $500,000 for a :30 commercial during its ten year run.
