Commentary

Damage Control Needed for Super Bowl Ads

Damage Control Needed for Super Bowl Ads

comScore Networks, asking if advertisers are paying millions for brand damage, released the results of a Super Bowl XL survey showing that some spots during the big game actually harmed consumer's perception of the brand. Burger King's retro ad damaged the perception of the brand among 20 percent of viewers, while 28 percent of women found the GoDaddy.com ad to be damaging.

On the other hand, Bud/Bud Light and FedEx registered positively with viewers as 44 percent reported that the ads improved their respective brand images. Respondents voiced strong feelings towards several brands.

Brand Perception Among Total Respondents

Damaged

Improved

Unchanged

FedEx

4%

44%

52%

Bud/ Bud Light

2%

44%

54%

Burger King

20%

25%

55%

Gillette

11%

24%

65%

Emerald Nuts

20%

22%

58%

Hummer

17%

22%

61%

Source: comScore Networks February 5 - 6, 2006

With a clear intent to connect with men, more than one-third of men reported the edgy GoDaddy.com spot improved their image of the brand, while 28 percent of female viewers found the ad damaging. The Gillette Fusion ads were found to be damaging by 15 percent of men, while Dove's commercial promoting self-esteem in young girls found only 1 percent reporting that their perception was damaged.

Brand Perception By Gender (% of respondents)

Men

Women

Damaged

Improved

Damaged

Improved

GoDaddy.com

9%

35%

28%

12%

Dove

7%

33%

1%

56%

Gillette

15%

27%

7%

20%

Source: comScore Networks February 5 - 6, 2006

As a measure of ad enjoyment, viewers were asked to select the ads they would like to view again. Bud/Bud Light captured the top spot with more than 50 percent of respondents reporting they would like to see the ads again. The FedEx cavemen spot was the second favorite.

Ad Enjoyment/ Desire to View Again(% of respondents)

Bud/Bud Light

54%

FedEx

28%

Pepsi/Diet Pepsi

22%

Burger King

15%

GoDaddy.com

14%

Source: comScore Networks February 5 - 6, 2006

To view the complete report from this survey, please visit here.

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