Giant brewer Anheuser- Busch is an undisputed football fans. So much so, in fact, that the company has signed on to be the only alcohol advertiser for the Super Bowl for four out of the next five
years. The only year they don't have a deal for is 2009, when the game will be televised by NBC. All the other games will be carried by Fox and CBS, each of which inked deals with the company that
markets Budweiser, Michelob, and Busch beer brands, among others. "It makes perfect sense for us to be a major part of the Super Bowl broadcast," said Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch's vice president of
global media and sports marketing. "It is viewed by more than 90 million people, the vast majority of whom are adult beer drinkers." No one is saying what the brewer paid for the privilege, but it's
safe to say it didn't come cheap. The Super Bowl is traditionally the most highly rated telecast of the year, with annually escalating advertising rates that have brought the cost of a 30-second spot
to as much $2.5 million. Because of its clout, A-B will get a better rate than that, but it can't be that inexpensive. As part of its agreement with Fox, Anheuser-Busch also will be the exclusive
alcohol advertiser on Fox's telecast of the college football Bowl Championship Series through 2010.
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