Ads as important as the game to most Super Bowl viewers, according to HAVEN study conducted by The Harris Poll.

Super Bowl ads have always contributed to the excitement of the game and this year is no exception: nearly two-thirds (61%) of those intending to watch the event are at least as interested in the ads as in the game. This is true regardless of age, region, income or education. The one demo that influences advertising focus is gender: at 72%, women are significantly more likely than men to place as much or more focus on the ads as the game. Even so, fully half (50%) of male viewers agree that the ads are at least as much of a draw as the game itself.

That's according to a recent study by Michigan advertising/marketing agency, HAVEN | a creative hub, and conducted online by The Harris Poll among 2,055 US adults 18+ during the week of January 13th.

Super Bowl ads also stand to capture a windfall in viral dividends as viewers of Super Bowl LVI turn to social networks to express their reactions to what they're watching on the main screen. Seventy-two percent (72%) of US adults plan to interact with others in real time—nearly half of them (47%) on social media.

This year's Super Bowl ads are highly likely to invade conversations well beyond the watch party, or even next-day gatherings around a literal or virtual water cooler. And while nearly half of all viewers are planning on social media interactions during the game, that number changes when we look only at adults 18-44. Sixty-two percent (62%) of younger viewers plan to interact on social media, making it their #1 choice for interaction during the game. (See attached chart for a breakdown of mode of interaction by age.)  And by sharing their in-game reactions online, these highly coveted viewers are giving the ads an extended run of relevancy.

"Super Bowl LVI promises to be a great showcase for advertisers," stated Bill McKendry, Founder and CCO of HAVEN. "We've had two weekends of exciting playoffs with record-breaking viewership. Enthusiasm will continue to build around a matchup already described by one fan on Twitter as 'a win-win for America." Ads that can perform in this highly engaged environment will enjoy immediate amplification on social media, and perhaps see the traditional Super Bowl ad "half-life" extended."

The HAVEN survey aims to quantify the draw of Super Bowl commercials among adults intending to watch the game. According to this latest study, 80% of US adults plan to watch the Super Bowl vs a figure that hovered around 70% when HAVEN's predecessor agency, Hanon McKendry, began polling in 2006. The 61% of viewers who consider the ads to be a driver in their decision to watch the Super Bowl is increasing slightly vs the high 50th percentile seen in previous years.

More about Haven | a creative hub
HAVEN | a creative hub is Western Michigan's top marketing/advertising agency and is headquartered in Grand Haven, Michigan. Operating from a resource hub approach, HAVEN conducts its work using a unique model where creative and strategic talent are custom matched and blended for client needs and specific assignments. While the agency has a relatively small core team, it draws most of its talent and partnerships from a national network that has been curated by its founder Bill McKendry and his partner, Jason Vanderground. Both Bill and Jason have been developing and managing nationally recognized campaigns and communication efforts for major corporate and nonprofits brands for decades.