Super Proposal XLI

Posted on January 26, 2007 | Permalink

by Keith C. Maresma

A current trend in advertising has been to let the consumer film the company’s TV spot. Some companies have taken it a bit further: they are letting their consumers film their Super Bowl spot.

And then there’s JP.

JP just wanted to propose to his girlfriend. On national TV. During the Super Bowl.

Easier said than done. Not only would JP (the alias he must go by until February 4th) have to raise money to produce the spot, but he would also have to raise the $2.5 million to run the spot during the big game.

So, he did what any person would do: he started a website in hopes to tell his story and raise money to buy a :30 spot. The website generated some buzz, which in turn lead to a small start-up production company offering their services for free in hopes that this buzz would translate into recognition of their new business.

Not only has JP generated buzz on his website, but he has completed several radio interviews, and has even appeared on Entertainment Tonight.

So far, the spot has been produced and $85,000 has been raised toward buying the airtime. Unfortunately for JP, all of the Super Bowl airtime has been purchased. JP then made a commitment to donate all of the funds to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

JP has not given up his dream, and is still holding out hope that one of the big companies who have Super Bowl airtime will donate their time and sponsor his proposal.

All of this seems like a long-shot, but JP is determined to make it happen. With all of the efforts from family, friends, and sponsors, JP better hope that his girlfriend says “yes.”