The Super Bowl: A Spotlight for Studios to Ignite Buzz
Table of Contents
- 1. The Super Bowl: A Spotlight for Studios to Ignite Buzz
- 2. Thinking about pulling the trigger on a Super Bowl ad, how do studios decide which movies are worth the ?
- 3. The Super Bowl: A Spotlight for Studios to Ignite Buzz
- 4. Interview with Ethan Pierce, Senior Marketing Analyst at Box Office Forecast
the Super Bowl has become synonymous with blockbuster movie reveals.It’s a prime opportunity for studios to capture the attention of millions tuning into the biggest athletic event of the year.
The sheer size of the audience is undeniable. This year, with Super Bowl LIX featuring a rematch of the 2023 epic showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are aiming for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory, the draw is even larger. An estimated 123.7 million viewers across both live and streaming platforms tuned in last year.
“It cannot be denied: The Super Bowl generally translates into big box office,” says a source familiar with the industry.It’s no wonder, then, that only the most established studios are willing to shell out the hefty price tag – a cool $7.5 million to $8 million for a mere 30-second spot.
Disney,a studio consistently smashing box office records,is always a mainstay at the Super Bowl. Given their 2024 domestic box office crown with over $2.2 billion, it’s safe to assume they’ll be back with teasers for highly anticipated releases: Snow White (arriving March 21), Lilo & Stitch (may 23), and Pixar’s Elio (June 13). Fans are particularly excited for a glimpse at their upcoming Marvel Studios films, though it’s rumored they’ll only showcase two out of the three: Captain America: Brave New World (February 14), Thunderbolts* (May 2), and Fantastic Four: The First Steps (July 25). Disney has a history of making these grand reveals during the Super Bowl, and past successes like Deadpool & Wolverine and Solo: A Star Wars Story speak volumes about their strategy.
Other studios,such as Sony,Warner Bros., Netflix, Amazon MGM Studios, Lionsgate, and Apple Studios, will be taking a step back this year, a trend that signifies the evolving landscape of marketing strategies.
Looking back at last year,we see that the five most eagerly consumed trailers on social media in the 24 hours following the Super Bowl were Deadpool & Wolverine (75.4M views, debuting to $211.4M opening), Kingdom of the Planet of the apes (43.2M views, opening to $58.4M), Wicked (40.1M views, opening to $112.5M), Twisters (29.2M views,opening to $81.2M), and Despicable Me 4 (27.9M views, opening to $75M 3-day/$122.6M 5-day). These numbers highlight the undeniable power the Super Bowl wields in generating buzz and setting the stage for box office success.
Thinking about pulling the trigger on a Super Bowl ad, how do studios decide which movies are worth the <$8 million investment> ?
The Super Bowl: A Spotlight for Studios to Ignite Buzz
Interview with Ethan Pierce, Senior Marketing Analyst at Box Office Forecast
Ethan Pierce, Senior Marketing Analyst at BoxOfficeForecast, joins Archyde to discuss the impact of Super Bowl advertising on the movie industry.
Damn that was quite a quarterback duel, wasn’t it?
Ethan Pierce: Absolutely! The energy surrounding a Super Bowl rematch is just electric.But beyond the football, it’s also a powerhouse for studios hoping to stir excitement for their upcoming films.
This year’s big game is drawing in millions of viewers.How important is that reach for studios, and why is a Super Bowl spot so coveted?
Ethan Pierce: The Super Bowl audience is just unmatched. We’re talking over 100 million viewers, a captive audience glued to the screen for hours. Studios realize that a 30-second glimpse into their latest blockbuster can leave a lasting impression on a massive potential customer base.It’s a huge gamble, costing upwards of $8 million for that ad space, but the potential returns in box office revenue can be enormous.
Disney seems to be a frequent contender for Super Bowl ad space. Do you see their strategy working?
Ethan Pierce: Disney’s strategy is definitely working. they’ve consistently delivered strong box office numbers, and their Super Bowl teasers ofen generate massive buzz online. From the “Deadpool & Wolverine” reveal last year to their past “solo” and Marvel movie announcements, they know how to capture the audience’s attention.
But some studios, like Sony and Warner Bros., are taking a step back from the Super Bowl this year. What might be driving this shift?
Ethan Pierce: It’s captivating to see a few studios scaling back this year. They may be re-evaluating their marketing strategies and exploring choice avenues that might be more cost-effective or target specific demographics better. The landscape of movie marketing is constantly evolving, and studios are always looking for the most efficient way to connect with their viewers.
Looking back at last year’s Super Bowl trailers – which ones stood out and resonated most with viewers? Why do you think they were so prosperous?
Ethan Pierce: The trailers for “Deadpool and Wolverine” and “Wicked” definitely generated a lot of online buzz. Peopel love seeing their favorite characters in action, and new glimpses into beloved franchises like “The Planet of the Apes” and “Despicable Me” always draw attention. Ultimately, it truly seems like trailers that deliver exciting visuals, intriguing plots, and a sense of anticipation tend to perform best.
What can viewers expect from this year’s Super Bowl trailers? Do you think we’ll see any games changing moments like last year’s reveal for “deadpool & Wolverine”?
Ethan Pierce: Well, that’s the big question isn’t it? With so many amazing movies on the horizon, the potential for game-changing reveals is definitely there. We’ll have to wait and see what the studios have in store, but one thing’s for sure: super Bowl Sunday is going to be an exciting day for movie fans!
