Superbowl XLIV Commercial Controversy?

Each year someone finds a way to create a controversy during what should be an otherwise pleasant event, one that unites people of all genders, races, nationalities across the globe. Well this year's controversy is sure to divide, but not in the way we are used to, not fan against fan but principle against principle. It involves one of the countries favorite national pastimes....... FOOTBALL!

Superbowl XLIV. February 7, 2010. A day of fast times, fun, rivalry and oh yeah, a debate about choice. Not your usual choice of which team will win the Superbowl but a woman's choice, a right to life choice. Why, oh why must we go there now!

It is reported that this year University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother will be featured in a Superbowl commercial that conveys an anti-abortion message. According to reports he doesn't believe in abortion, a procedure which his mother was encouraged to have before he was born. Okay. That is his belief, but why do we need to know that? And why is that important during the Superbowl? Why is the Christian group Focus on the Family choosing to use one of America's favorite pastimes to espouse a 'message'? Why can't we just be inundated with the usual comical fare and fun-loving shtick in commercials that we are used to?

How do you handle this?

As a viewer, if you don't want to see the commercial either because you don't believe in its' message, because you don't want your children to see it or because you simply think it is an inappropriate time for it, then that will be a perfect time to take your bathroom break or go to the kitchen for a refill of just about anything. If it's too much for you to have to get up or you think you'll miss something in the ensuing discussion with guests about the plays that have just taken place then you can turn during the commercial and see what's else is on, which obviously won't be much because who wants original programming to compete with the Superbowl. But remember commercials are generally created in 15 second increments so don't stay away too long. As a matter of fact I'm sure 'someone' will let us know just how long the commercial will be before it ever airs. After all, time during the Superbowl costs big $$$.

As an advertiser I would insist that my commercial not be shown in the same commercial pod as this one. Whether as a company you agree with the principles being espoused or not, your corporate responsibility is to your shareholders and what shareholder wants you to potentially, and possibly knowingly, throw away a few million bucks on a commercial that might not be seen during the time for which it was specifically created all because someone chose this time as an opportunity to deliver a message. If I was a shareholder in your company, message or not, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this controversy.

So my message to Focus on the Family is this, "during the Superbowl our focus is on fun."