Football fans and marketers alike are gleefully counting down the days till Super Bowl Sunday on February 7. It’s a phenomenon rarely seen on TV – 100 million rapt viewers glued to the activity both on and off the field – and especially during the commercial breaks.

Super Bowl advertising has evolved far beyond the :30 or :60 spot you see on TV. Advertisers invest millions into pre-game publicity, online promotions, contests and LOTS of ink-generating hyperbole. Super Bowl advertisers talk more smack than the gridirons on the field.

So what can you learn from the Super Bowl to apply to your own marketing campaign?

Mix it up on the field. Don’t just advertise. Don’t throw 100% of your resources into social media. Mix your marketing tactics into a campaign that optimizes your investment and gets results.

Be opportunistic. If you’ve got nothing new to promote, create something new. A contest, a promotion or an award. Look for the opportunity.

Take a risk. Sometimes the best ideas push you beyond your comfort zone, but the rewards often warrant the risk. Act boldly.

Have a game plan. Plan your attack by developing a sound strategy and tactics. A last ditch Hail Mary rarely works in business marketing.

Talk recently launched its 3rd annual Super Bowl Talkies Awards to honor the best in Super Bowl advertising. We’ll judge each commercial and release our top 10 picks immediately following the game. Visit our website at www.SuperBowlTalkies.com to preview commercials, share opinions and join the Talkies conversation.