Tony Perkins Has The Pro Sports Sadz

"A month after winning their fourth Super Bowl title, the New England Patriots are stepping onto another turf: the marriage debate. This week, the NFL powerhouse -- along with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays and World Series-winning San Francisco Giants -- went on the offensive in the heavy-weight battle for marriage at the U.S. Supreme Court. In a brief signed by 370 other businesses, the Patriots, Rays, and Giants went on the record with their radical views, insisting that 'allowing same-sex couples to marry improves employee morale and productivity, reduces uncertainty, and removes the wasteful administrative burdens imposed by the current disparity of state law treatment.' They argue that state laws 'that prohibit or decline to recognize marriages between same-sex couples hamper employer efforts to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible in those states.' Apparently, 'talent' is now defined by personal views -- not professional expertise." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Australian Jewelery Retailer Michael Hill To Air Gay-Inclusive Ad During Super Bowl

Via Stuff New Zealand:

Michael Hill International has splashed out big bucks securing an ad slot during the Super Bowl, reaching an audience of millions. The jeweller's advertisements will play in Canada and Chicago during the NFL Super Bowl XLIX on Monday (NZ time). The company would not disclose what it spent on the project, but 30 second Super Bowl ads reportedly cost about $4.5 million. The ad was expected to reach up to 8 million viewers, he said. "We've been working on this campaign for over a year now and have invested a substantial amount in the development of the platform," Talcott said. The ads were filmed on the streets of New York and created in partnership with Colenso BBDO. The Super Bowl final is between Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

The ad debuts in Australia and New Zealand tomorrow night. Michael Hill has 240 outlets, about two dozen of which are in Canada and the Chicago area.

(Tipped by JMG reader Lynda)

Coca-Cola Takes On Internet Haters With Super Bowl Ad Starring Michael Sam

Via AdWeek:

If you've spent more than three seconds on the Internet, you know it can be a pretty horrible place, swarming with cyberbullies and trolls who've turned comment sections into rotting hate-fests and people's own personal social pages into sources of despair. Coca-Cola hopes to change all that—or at least, steer things in a different direction—with its 2015 Super Bowl campaign. Four longer online videos will roll out this week starring teens and celebs who've experienced online negativity (racecar driver Danica Patrick and football player Michael Sam will star in two of these) or who are devoted to spreading happiness online (Kid President stars in the one of these.)

Other clips are at the link.

(Tipped by JMG reader Lynda)

NFL Tackles Domestic Violence

Via Slate:

An anti-domestic violence PSA will air during the Super Bowl this Sunday, courtesy of the No More campaign and the National Football League, which donated its internal ad agency to create the spot and, according to the Wall Street Journal, half a minute of air time on NBC, "where ad time costs roughly $4.5 million for 30 seconds." No More is billing it as the first of its kind. The NFL and No More previously teamed up for a series of PSAs titled "Speechless," which featured footage of current and former players emoting over domestic violence, that aired during NFL games on Thanksgiving; this ad downplays the NFL’s role, instead borrowing its conceit from a tale first published on Reddit last year by a former 911 dispatcher, who recalled taking a call from a woman who had feigned ordering a pizza in order to get police to respond to her home without tipping off her abuser.

Not A Real Super Bowl Ad

Here's Budweiser's Super Bowl Ad

Over 10M views since yesterday.

GoDaddy Yanks Super Bowl "Puppy" Ad

Via USA Today:

GoDaddy announced Tuesday night that it would be pulling a planned Super Bowl ad titled “Journey Home” from the game and replacing it with another commercial after viewers were outraged. In the ad, a puppy named Buddy falls out of the back of a truck and is separated from his family, but manages to travel through harsh conditions and find his way home. Buddy’s owner greets him with some heartbreaking news: “I’m so glad you made it home… because I just sold you on this website I built with GoDaddy.com.” Many viewers harshly criticized GoDaddy for promoting irresponsible breeding practices and the sale of animals. A Change.org petition to remove the ad from the Super Bowl has nearly 40,000 signatures by Tuesday evening.

GoDaddy issued a statement today:

At the end of the day, our purpose at GoDaddy is to help small businesses around the world build a successful online presence. We hoped our ad would increase awareness of that cause. However, we underestimated the emotional response. And we heard that loud and clear. The net result? We are pulling the ad from the Super Bowl. You’ll still see us in the Big Game this year, and we hope it makes you laugh. Finally, rest assured, Buddy came to us from a reputable and loving breeder in California. He’s now part of the GoDaddy family as our Chief Companion Officer and he lives permanently with one of our longtime employees.

PETA applauds:

“The sale of animals online and from pet stores and breeders should be roundly condemned, and it was today. GoDaddy did the right thing by swiftly promoting adoption. PETA’s message is that when you buy a dog from a pet store or a breeder, a dog in an animal shelter dies.”

Look at me, agreeing with PETA.

One Million Moms Vs Carl's Jr.

Just in via email:

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, both owned by CKE Restaurants, are at it again by using sex to sell burgers. Their new ad is extremely inappropriate to air at any time, but especially while families are likely watching. Their "All-Natural" commercial will surely ruin family time once again. The commercial that will be shown at the Super Bowl features a woman who appears to be naked as she walks through a farmer’s market. This is as close to complete nudity as you can get because she appears to be nude until the end when she is in full view wearing a string bikini top and tiny shorts while eating a hamburger from Carl's Jr. The only indication of who sponsored this ad is in the final few seconds of the commercial. Carl's Jr. and Hardee's regularly bank on the sex sells philosophy. There is no need for a burger to be promoted by sex appeal, and this advertising ploy is why 1MM will not give up. TAKE ACTION: Please contact Carl's Jr. (CKE Restaurants) through our website and ask them to pull their Super Bowl ad immediately! Also encourage them to be more responsible next year if they choose to run ads during the Super Bowl again. If they would like our support, they must no longer air sexually explicit ads.

NFL: We Are Watching Arizona

"Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard. We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so should the bill be signed into law, but will decline further comment at this time." - NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, stopping short of calling for a veto of the bill that would legalize anti-gay discrimination. The 2015 Super Bowl will be held in Glendale, Arizona.

NFL franchise the Arizona Cardinals were more direct: "What so many love about football is its ability to bring people together. We do not support anything that has the potential to divide, exclude and discriminate. As a prominent and highly-visible member of this community, we strive to bring positive attention to the state. We are concerned with anything that creates a negative perception of Arizona and those of us who are fortunate to call it home."

Delaware Governor: If Brewer Signs The Hate Bill, NFL Should Move Super Bowl

"If they pass this law and if she signs it, it would seem to me that the NFL may be looking, or should be looking, to move the Super Bowl out of that state. Because, you know, there’s so many places around the country that are welcoming to everybody. I’ll put it this way; I want to make it clear that Delaware is a very welcoming place; Four years ago, five years ago, we actually passed a law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It’s puzzling to me other states would be looking at it differently." - Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, speaking today on MSNBC.

The NFL has not yet publicly commented on the controversy. Today the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee denounced the bill.

We share the NFL's core values which embrace tolerance, diversity, inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination. In addition, a key part of the mission for the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is to promote the economic vitality of Arizona. On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state's economic growth potential. We do not support this legislation. Instead, we look forward to continuing to promote the NFL's values while focusing on the economic momentum apparent in Arizona and capturing the positive worldwide attention associated with hosting Super Bowl XLIX.

From Red State Dems

Source. (Tipped by JMG reader Tod)

There Was A Scientology Super Bowl Ad

It only ran in a few markets, including NYC and DC.

Glenn Beck Has The Coca-Cola Sadz

"So somebody tweeted last night and said, ‘Glenn, what did you think of the Coke ad?’ And I said, ‘Why did you need that to divide us politically?’ Because that’s all this ad is. It’s in your face, and if you don’t like it, if you’re offended by it, you’re a racist. If you do like it, you’re for immigration. You’re for progress. That’s all this is: To divide people. Remember when Coke used to do the thing on the top and they would all hold hands? Now it’s, have a Coke and we’ll divide you." - Glenn Beck, speaking today on his radio show.

One Million Moms: We Pressured Super Bowl Advertisers Into Tamer Commercials

"Dear Joe, Results from One Million Moms Super Bowl efforts have not gone unnoticed! After several years of speaking out about inappropriate commercials during the Super Bowl and also thanking those who kept it clean and used their financial dollars wisely, One Million Moms saw positive change on the advertising during the big game this year. Even though there is still room for improvement, One Million Moms believes that our voice is being heard. Your efforts have helped make a huge difference for families all across the country! Families should be able to watch the game together if they choose, and this year's game was remarkably different than in years past because viewers were not bombarded with sexually explicit and disgusting ads during every commercial break. Parents should remain on guard, but it is encouraging to see that our voice kept crudeness to a minimum. Way to go! Keep up the great work!" - Monica Cole, president of One Million Moms, via email.

Breitbart Has The Coca-Cola Sadz

"Executives at Coca Cola thought it was a good idea to run a 60 second Super Bowl ad featuring children singing America The Beautiful – a deeply Christian patriotic anthem whose theme is unity – in several foreign languages. The ad also prominently features a gay couple. Conservatives instantly lit up social media with objections, with many vowing to boycott the soda company's products. The lyrics of the song, written in 1893 by Wellesley College Professor Katherine Lee Bates, ask God to grant America 'brotherhood / From sea to shining sea.' As far as the executives at Coca Cola are concerned, however, the United States of America is no longer a nation ruled by the Constitution and American traditions in which English is the language of government. It is not a nation governed in the Anglo-American tradition of liberty. It is instead a nation governed by some all inclusive multi-cultural synthesis of the various forms of government in the world, as expressed by the multiple languages used in the Super Bowl ad to sing a uniquely American hymn that celebrates our heritage." - Breitbart columnist Michael Patrick Leahy, who claims to have organized the 2009 conference call that first organized the Tea Party. Those who (unlike me) have not yet been banned by Breitbart might consider dropping in to mention that Katherine Lee Bates was a lesbian.

Super Bowl Security Oops

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

9/11 Truther Crashes Press Conference For Super Bowl 2014 MVP Winner

Gay Family Featured In Coke Super Bowl Ad, Bigots Attack Over Spot's Music

Last night's Super Bowl ad from Coca-Cola included a fleeting shots of two men holding hands on a skating ring with a young girl holding the hand of one of the men. But it was that the spot's music, America The Beautiful sung in foreign languages, that has brought out the haters. So far.

TIME Magazine recaps the reaction:

Coca Cola’s entry into the Super Bowl ad campaign had a message that was, as it were, Coke Classic: it celebrated the many kinds, colors, lifestyles and origins of Americans who are nonetheless one. Over a scene of these many Americans, it played a patriotic song: not the National Anthem, but the more accessible, singable “America the Beautiful.” It showed us a panoply of American faces, young, old, brown, white, straight, gay (it included what are said to be the first gay parents depicted in a Super Bowl ad), in cowboy hats and hijabs, playing, eating, and exploring all-American vistas. It was that last aspect that unfortunately, brought out America the Ugly, at least on some parts of the Internet. “WTF?” asked one post on Twitter. “@CocaCola has America the Beautiful being sung in different languages in a #SuperBowl commercial? We speak ENGLISH here, IDIOTS.” Some of the vitriol may have been satire for all I know, but there was much too much for that to explain all of the “English or GTFO” sentiment–not all of it in impeccable English itself. To wit: “Dear @CocaCola : America the beautiful is sang in English. Piss off. #DontFuckWithUs.” (To be fair, not every Tweet brought up by a search on “Coca Cola English” agreed: “Coca Cola brings the commercial of the night: America the Beautiful sung in Spanish, English, Arabic, and other languages. Beautiful.”)

AmericaBlog also has some of the ugliest tweets. The second clip below is Coke's behind-the-scenes recap of the making of the clip. At the 2:25 mark a gay man speaks briefly about discrimination over shots of his family on the skating rink. Is Coke doing some Sochi damage control?

Bears Spoof GoDaddy Super Bowl Ad

The original GoDaddy ad is here.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

PETA Vs Joe Namath