SuperBrawl Special : EI Weekend 3192
We may have little interest in football but the ads are crazy — a different tribute to the Superbrawl, er, bowl…
Exchange Invest is a unique information resource combining the day’s stories in a newsletter for investors in exchanges/financial markets infrastructure.
Exchange Invest was founded by former exchange CEO and author of the first bestselling book of fintech (“Capital Market Revolution!” FT 1999) Patrick Young. Monday through Friday our daily paid subscriber email discusses the business of bourses of all kinds across the world.
On this day in 2005, the demutualization plan of the Chicago Stock Exchange, which had already been approved by its members, received approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission. All CHX memberships were extinguished as part of the demutualization transaction, which was effective on Feb. 9, 2005.
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MACRO THOUGHTS
God bless America! The nation which created an advertising festival so sensational they opted to surround it with a few musical numbers and even a game of football.
There are apparently some die-hard fans who still love Superbowl Sunday for that brawl every ten yards (who said this sport was original? — it was clearly designed for TV advertising). Then again PLY just isn’t much into the concept of chasing an inflated pig’s bladder around a field in any code of rules so that I suppose sets me aside from most homo sapiens. Anyway, beyond the sport which pioneered health and safety wear on the field, we have this weekend a chance to see the TV advertising in long form craft which is magnificent — even as a whole younger generation gather with their elders and go “what’s that thing?” pointing at the trad gogglebox when Dad switches on the pre-show at about 0400 ahead of a game at 1830 EST. Then the proper entertainment interlacing popular young person’s beat combo stars with remarkable 30 second to 2 minute advertisements gets under way.
Here’s a splendid site tracking the rise in Superbowl ad slot costs: Average Cost of Super Bowl Ads Breakdown by Year. Incredibly despite the terminal decline of the network gogglebox thingie, ads are at new record highs this year.
Anyway, if you were hoping for a breakdown on the sports gossip like whether or not Taylor Swift is playing again this year: an admission — I know nothing of irongrid or whatever it’s called, sorry. (For PLY, 4 wheels or legs are ideal to make for an engaging sport) BUT I love a good advertisement, so here’s a selection of some groovy ads over the years from the SuperBowl — all feedback welcome on good ones I have missed!
AFM 2025 CONFERENCE
Exchange Invest is heading to Nairobi!
We’re proud to be sponsoring the 27th AFM Annual Conference this February hosted by Nairobi Securities Exchange! As “The Exchange of Information,” we keep the global bourse business informed from the top to the bottom of Young’s Pyramid of Exchanges — and we’re excited to join AFM for dynamic discussions, expert panels, and top-tier networking.
See you there for insights on market infrastructure, digital finance, and the future of fintech!
February 13–14, 2025 — Don’t miss it!
IPO-VID LIVESTREAM: NEXT TUESDAY
“Investing In Trump World”
Guest: Yra Harris
February 11th, 2025
1700 UK, 1800 CET, 1200 EST
Yra Harris has over 47 years of experience in all areas of commodity trading, with broad expertise in cash currency markets, Yra is an active macro-global trend trader. He is a regular guest analyst on Currency & Global Interest Markets on Bloomberg & CNBC & indeed, IPO-VID…
Watch the stream on:
LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
IN BIGWORLD
From Exchange Invest 3187: February 3rd:
Meanwhile in Bigworld, the number of US states charging flat or even zero state tax rates has grown from 9 to 14 since 2013.
PLY: Market Movers On Fintech TV
Catch me on Market Movers On Fintech TV every Monday at 0920 AM for the latest insights in finance, technology, impact investing, and market trends. Fintech TV is on the web (Fintech.TV), in a multitude of airports across the USA and other channels.
EXCHANGE INVEST WEEKLY PODCAST
Good results from Nasdaq as integration continues to work well,
And Euronext Buys Nasdaq Power,
ASX Close to Checkmate in the CHESS fiasco?
While Euroclear Is In The Cloud.
The Exchange Invest Weekly Podcast 281
BITCARNAGE
Zero Shame
Once upon a time it was the tv celebrities who appeared the most shameless folk in the meeja but now it’s the Ivy League’s turn as the guilt-free (See EI / Bitcarnage passim) Sam Bankman-Fried parents have abandoned their political leanings and are desperately seeking a pardon for their convicted fraudster son.
I cannot fathom what would drive Trump to issue such a pardon. This is a tale of fraud and lies long before we get to massive political donations for his sworn opponents of the most woke ilk!
SBF’s Parents Seek Pardon From President Trump: Report reports Cointelegraph. Clearly, the parents are desperate and / or shameless. Maybe some might not feel this is news. Others might think it runs in the family. You may think all of this and I could not possibly comment, clearly.
If you enjoyed this excerpt you may be interested to know that you can read Bitcarnage every day in Exchange Invest.
Alternatively, if you want to follow Bitcarnage — the daily update on happenings in the world of crypto and digital assets, then you can find Bitcarnage as a standalone on Substack.
OF INTEREST
However I do love a good advertisement, here is a selection from superbrawls past, here is a PLY selection:
Ads I liked, in no particular order…
Doritos Pug Attack Commercial Original
Tvadcentral
PLY: Clearly the unrealistic part here is where the owner notes “don’t harm my dog” whereas anybody who has owned a pug will know waving a bag of any tasty comestible in front of a pug has consequences which make red rag bull maneuvers look inconsequential (see also my experience of pug fighting, below).
Terry Tate Office Linebacker
Terry Tate, Office Linebacker
PLY: This works brilliantly in the rest of the world as most foreigners don’t get the subtleties of gridiron (does it have any? #AskingForAFriend) while lampooning dismal corporate propaganda videos.
Old Spice | The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
Old Spice
PLY: One of a few commercials to subsequently go global — this gem still appears frequently in the pre-Christmas season when sales of fragrance are at their peak. Truly an all-time gem.
Old FedEx Superbowl Commercial
FlyCadet
PLY: An inspired failure. How soon until we see an ad barracking whoever was entrusted with bringing the First Lady’s magnificent hat for the 2025 Presidential inauguration only to crush it and cause the maker to arrange a hand over…by hand?
EDS, An HP Company ‘Cat Herders’
CBS
PLY: “I’m livin’ a dream.” Amen.
EDS went on to also broadcast “The Running of the Squirrels” in the same genre although I don’t believe they ever focussed on the rare thrill of Pug Fighting, that ancient Spanish custom. Facing down a pug who thinks there is a treat behind the blanket is a spine tingling moment I had the joy of experiencing with my late video co-conspirator, Toby. I am genuinely shocked nobody has made an advertisement of that spectacle…
1984 Apple’s Macintosh Commercial (HD)
Mac History
PLY: The first ad that ever made me realize there was a Superbowl.
Pub Pepsi Jimmy Hendrix
Freeandiz
PLY: The UK ASA (or whatever they call it nowadays) had long since banned advertisements comparing the competition in any form of negative light. Across the Atlantic, perhaps the best reason for Coke’s existence is that it allows Pepsi to ruthlessly troll the Coca Cola company. This is one of their more magnificent efforts.
2020 Super Bowl Extended Bill Murray Jeep Commercial
Beastlycharizard13
PLY: I do have a soft spot for the schmaltzy The Force — Volkswagen Commercial (Estadão) as it has that elegant German engineering vibe underpinning it but then a friend said they thought Darth Vader looks like he came from that genre never realised, a Leni Riefenstahl sci-fi movie. I suppose that just proves advertising is a question of perspective. Anyway… having once been treated by Mrs PLY to a day’s rental of one of these Jeeps to explore the unpaved extremes of a Caribbean island, the concept of groundhog day is highly appealing.
All suggestions and feedback welcome on your choices too… As to this year’s cadre, here’s a teaser: Super Bowl 59 Ad Tracker: Complete List of 2025 Commercials (Adweek).
Good luck to Taylor Swift, hope she has another great game tomorrow.
Books worth reading:
Finance Book Of The Week
One of the most influential works of social psychology in history, “The Crowd” by Gustave Le Bon was highly instrumental in creating this field of study by analyzing, in detail, mass behavior. In the author’s words, “The masses have never thirsted after the truth. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim.”
Get the book here.
*Paid link, as an Amazon Associate, Exchange Invest earns from qualifying purchases.
Suggestions welcome if you would like to nominate a book for us to cover!
Our next Book of the week will be unveiled Saturday in the EI Weekend Edition.
& don’t forget if you want all the news on the bourse business sent daily to your Inbox subscribe to Exchange Invest — via Exchange Invest.com — it’s only $499 per annum to join “The Exchange of Information.
Capital Market Revolution
First published in 1999, “Capital Market Revolution!” offered a clear, concise roadmap for navigating the financial revolution fueled by technology. And 25 years later, as the world of fintech continues to evolve, the core principles laid out in the book remain surprisingly sharp
This new edition was produced to celebrate PLY ringing the NYSE Closing Bell July 5th, 2024. There are several new sections of PLY pith to add 10,000 more words of context and the original book which is remarkably prescient and elegantly dated all at once! It’s only $9.99 on Kindle, a fraction of the original price in 1999 to encourage revolutionaries with any budget!
Get the book here.
*Paid link, as an Amazon Associate, Exchange Invest earns from qualifying purchases.
IPO-VID LIVESTREAM: NOW ONLINE!
“2025 Outlook, Star Events and Markets”
Guest: Susan Gidel
February 4th, 2025
1700 UK, 1800 CET, 1200 EST
Susan Abbott Gidel is a leading astrologist specialising in financial markets with several decades of front-line commodity futures market experience. Returning to IPO-VID for a third time, Susan will be discussing her 2025 Outlook.
Watch the stream on:
LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
IPO-VID LIVESTREAM PODCAST
This week on IPO-VID Podcast, we explore the intersection of neurodiversity and finance with the remarkable Sally Bridgeland. An accomplished actuary with extensive experience in pensions and investments, Sally brings unique insights into how creativity and resilience can be woven into business practices. As a non-executive director, award-winning leader, and advocate for neurodiversity, she shares her views on fostering a more inclusive and innovative financial system.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about innovation, inclusion, and reshaping the financial markets! 🎙️✨
EI Website | Spotify | Apple Podcast | Anchor
LAST WORD
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