• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, February 1, 2012

Anheuser- Busch, which traditionally runs the first ad in the Super Bowl and has exclusivity in the beer category, said it would air four-and-a-half minutes of creative during the big game Sunday. A-B has paid a premium for category exclusivity for 24 years.

During the game on NBC, A-B will advertise new brand Bud Light Platinum, which hit the market Jan. 30 -- nationally for the first time. It is expected to occupy the game’s first spot and be the subject of A-B’s second first-quarter ad.

A-B will also air two spots each for Bud Light and flagship Bud. Bud Light will maintain its “Here We Go” tagline in its ads, while Bud will stick with “Grab Some Buds” in two minute-long spots, one with the Clydesdales.

Last year, a Bud Light spot with dogs serving the beverage finished first in USA Today’s Ad Meter poll, while a second finished 13th.

Kantar data shows A-B has spent more in Super Bowl advertising over the past decade by a long shot. Its $239 million tops PepsiCo.’s $174 million. There was some talk that when InBev took over A-B it might cut spending, but its commitment to the NFL and the Super Bowl has remained.