Posted on 02/07/2005 11:07:32 AM PST by doug from upland
This morning I spoke with a representative of Anheuser Busch about their Superbowl commercial. First, here is some background.
In a club in San Bernardino with a couple hundred Marines, wives, and friends, I watched the Superbowl. I fought back a tear at the bar as I watched the commercial that honored the troops. The Marines in that club felt proud. They appreciate knowing that we appreciate what they do for us. Hell, just buying them beer to show appreciation made them feel good.
In the 1981 Champsionship Game (not Superbowl), Joe Montana engineered an 89-yard drive at the end of the game to defeat Dallas. Dwight Clark capped it off with a leaping 6-yard reception in the end zone to advance to the Superbowl. In post season lore, it became known simply as "The Catch."
In 1986, John Elway led his team on a 98-yard march that tied Cleveland in the Championship Game. The Broncos won in overtime. It became known simply as "The Drive."
As we watched the standout commercial of troops in the airport being cheered on in the terminal as they arrived home, we hope the moment will create its own Superbowl lore. May it forever be known simply as "The Commercial."
The representative of Anheuser Busch was kind enough to return my call. I wanted to know who was behind the brilliant commercial. They will be putting out a press release today because they have received more media inquiries than they can possibly field.
Here is some of the information. The commercial was filmed at LAX. Yes, those were real military personnel from various branches who have served in Iraq. According to the spokesperson, the response to the commercial has been overwhelming and positive.
They really did something special this time. Thanks, Anheuser Busch. I will remember Superbowl 39 not for a hard fought close game, but for "The Commercial."
"No, son, that's my seat. Yours is in first class."
IF i had the money and IF I was travelling somewhere by air and IF there were soldiers on the flight. . . I'd love to do that.
/sniffle/
Anheuser Busch spent a great deal of money to say what so many of us want to say and I appreciate their efforts. It would be a good trend to see other companies honor and esteem these heroes of ours.
My hope is that Anheuser Busch continues to show this commercial for quite a while. Perhaps it will spur people to buy a cup of coffee or pick up the tab when we see military personnel in a restaurant, or simply say a heartfelt "thank you."
I got all weepy just reading your post! I'm glad that your kids got to experience that.
I agree. This was a commercial ad by a beer company appealing to people's feelings about soldiers at war. Seeing the controversy surrounding this war, it was also a political ad, whether intentional or not. That is why it's getting so much attention in this political forum, more so than in most other types of forums.
They could have made any creative commercial. Perhaps a really funny or outrageous one. That would lose no customers. For those who hate the military and America, perhaps they will no longer drink Anheuser Busch products. They took that risk but did the right thing. In a country that is partisan and divided, they put on a commerical to make all patriotic Americans proud.
When I was returning from Nam, in 1970. I was trying to book a flight from Seattle back to the east coast. The airline rep would not let me pay full military fare. She only wanted me to pay for military standby. I said 'I really want to get home, I'll pay the extra!" She refused to take my money (as an E-5 in 1970, my pay was about $350/month), the savings was substantial for me. She told me she would make sure I got a seat.
When we got on board, about 1/2 the flight were returning Nam Vets, they gave us all First Class service. The meal was a nice steak and wine, free drinks. I was just beside myself. The stewardesses kept checking with us to make sure 'everything was ok."
After the conditions in Nam, it was like I was in a dream. I could not believe that I had survived, I was on a plane, I was back in 'the world', and stewardesses whom I would have married in a minute, we fussing over me.
Those kindnesses, you never forget.
The rest of my early return days were pretty ugly. But, for a moment on that red-eye flight, I felt appreciated. I was afraid to go to sleep, lest it really be a dream and I was still in that God-awful place.
He dashes into the kitchen and picks up a machete to cut up some sausage or something as this big fat white cat jumps up onto the stove where the sauce is simmering away.
The lady put her keys into the apartment door lock....the cat hears, jumps down knocking the pasta sauce all over itself and the floor.
"Noooooooo", cries the guy as he picks up the cat (which is dripping with tomato sauce) by the scruff of the neck with his left hand while still holding the machete in his right hand.
Pan to the wife....we are looking over her shoulder as she sees the horrific scene...then we get a frontal shot of her wide-eyed, lip-trembling expression as she mutters something like: "Oh My God....what have you done to kitty."
I busted a gut.
I'll have to see it again because I can't remember the sponsor!!!
Oh, thanks for the thread! I wondered if those were real military personnel, though I thought so because of their bearing. That commercial was awesome.
I didn't realize the percentage of women in some units was so high. I'm sure we all honor all who serve, but if in fact the footage was intentionally edited to over-represent women and minorities it would bother me.
Thank you for your description. I have WEBTV and not a computer. I hope to see it at some other time.
Great story. Thanks for what you have done for us.
Playing catchup.Bump for later!
Thanks.
"Applause" wins Superbowl advertising poll
NMBW Staff
According to ADBOWL, an online advertising ranking system for consumers developed by McKee Wallwork Henderson Advertising in Albuquerque, "Applause" by Anheuser-Busch was voted America's favorite Superbowl commercial.
The annual professional football contest, this year between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, was broadcast Sunday evening. Many viewers tune in to the National Footbal League game just to see the advertisements, which, this year, cost advertisers on the Fox network an average, estimated $2.4 million for each 30 seconds of air time.
The other top favorites of ADBOWL voters were:
Bud Light's "Skydiver;" Ameriquest Mortgage's "Romantic Dinner;"
Ameriquest Mortgage's "Mini-Mart;" and Budweiser's "Zoo Aspirations."
"Applause," a salute to America's armed forces, received the top honor among voters.
"Anheuser-Busch was able to genuinely communicate our collective feelings toward the armed forces without appearing commercial, or self serving," said Steve McKee, president of McKee Wallwork Henderson. "Advertisers walk a thin line when using patriotism to propel their brand, but viewers of 'Applause' were thankful to the advertiser for communicating so well how we all feel."
After the game Sunday night, 11,400 viewers from across the country went to www.adbowl.com and rated the commercials on a scale between zero and five, with 0 being a "Fumble" and 5 being a "Touchdown." The ADBOWL Web site infrastructure was enhanced by FatCow Web Hosting to accommodate increased traffic during the game. A complete listing of the results can be found at www.adbowl.com.
ADBOWL is a self-selected sample of consumers viewing the commercials during the game. It is not a scientifically projected sampling of the entire population.
Albuquerque-based McKee Wallwork Henderson specializes in working with companies that have experienced fast growth. This is the fifth year the company has conducted ADBOWL.
During yesterday's Superbowl, the New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.
Thank you.
One of my buddies at the VA hospital had a horrendous tour of duty. He was a door gunner. He came back through SF. His reception there was very ugly. Protesters would wait for the military buses. They were jeered, sworn at, etc.
This man is a real live hero (he won't tell you that). He saved countless lives, picking up wounded and dead from hot LZ's. He branded himself a war criminal after hearing that over and over from Kerry/Fonda and company. He is just barely functioning now.
There is hope for him, however. Although we all are 'damaged goods' so to speak, his wife has stood by him for 31 years. He is beginning to understand that the mores on the battlefield are different than that of polite society. He was not a cop. He was a soldier.
He is one of the guys I would like to introduce Sen. Kerry to.
Thanks! I'll try it.
I put a post on FR a few months before the election that I would be attending an event in Beverly Hills to get a signed UNFIT FOR COMMAND from John O'Neill. A Wisconsin FReeper contacted me and asked me to get two extra books, one for him and one for an employee. There were no book signings in his area. His employee had worked for him for seven years and never mentioned Vietnam until the SwiftVets came forward. I had O'Neill write: To xxxxxx, my comrade in arms. Finally, welcome home.
When the FReeper received the books I sent, his employee was overwhelmed and had to go be alone for awhile.
OHHHHH, LOLOLOLOLOL......AWESOME!!!!
Kerry is not fit to shine your buddie's shoes. And that's an understatement.
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