Following the NFL Super Bowl, we like to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the television commercials that cost roughly $4.5 million dollars for a 30-second spot and claim the attention of millions of viewers who share the popular horse and puppy promos on their Facebook feeds.
In our opinion, the most successful and important ad to hit the air during Super Bowl XLIX did not feature an animal—at least not the furry kind. It was the chilling public service announcement (PSA) about domestic violence.
The NFL donated airtime and production costs for the PSA in an ongoing effort to proactively address the issue of domestic violence—which has haunted the league after controversies surrounding high profile and highly paid football players like Jonathan Dwyer of the Arizona Cardinals, Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens.
According to NO MORE, the public awareness campaign that produced the Super Bowl commercial, 12.7 million people are physically abused, raped or stalked by their partners in one year. The NO MORE website notes: “That’s approximately the population of New York City and Los Angeles combined. That’s 24 people every minute.”
Launched in 2013, NO MORE, which aims to raise public awareness and engage bystanders around ending domestic violence and sexual assault, will celebrate its birthday during NO MORE Week, from March 8 to 14. Its website includes resources that help people to make prevention a priority.
In Pike and Wayne counties, in Pennsylvania, help is available at:
- Victims Intervention Program, Wayne County, PA 570-253-4401
- Safe Haven, Pike County, PA 570-296-4357
While it’s fun to share the latest Super Bowl commercial featuring the Budweiser Clydesdale horses, please consider sharing NO MORE’s impactful ad with your friends and asking them to do the same.
Given the statistics, it’s likely we all know someone who could really benefit from this information.
