In what was clearly a great Super Bowl half-time show, Madonna did a great job of entertaining the millions watching the game – and in doing so scored a Public Relations coup in reaching a new generation of fans, with guest appearances with today’s stars including LMFAO, Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Madonna has always been a marketing genius – A lightening rod for controversy, her songs through the years, including “Like a Virgin”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Like a Prayer”, “Vogue”, and others – and clearly this Super Bowl performance continued that marketing genius.
53 years old, and looking HOT and way younger, she launched with an amazing remix of the classic “Vogue” (One wonders did Madonna/NBC pay a licensing fee to Vogue Magazine), the tight-rope walker/jumper, and simply amazing Like A Prayer, where the backup singers and dancers quickly turned into a gospel choir, as Madonna, Cee Lo and the choir finished up the show with her 1989 single.
Madonna is a living legend – There’s no one alive bigger and better than her and it was just such a special show. Probably the biggest pop star in the world, and who is better than the world’s biggest pop star performing during such a huge world stage. She kept it tame for her – and realized she didn’t need to push the envelope – and with kudos to her she respected the boundaries.
For me, it was a time warp back to the 1980’s, and explaining to my kids that these songs were made when I was near their age – and how Madonna predates Lady Gaga contributed to the experience. And that’s another mark of Madonna’s greatness and legendary status – bridging generations. (And to think I remember my mother in 1983 disapproving of me listening to Madonna.)
As a Madonna and pop culture fan, it was a special moment recognizing as she’s been called by Time Magazine one of the “25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century” performing flawlessly on this stage. As a PR agency owner, and professional marketer I recognize the sheer marketing genius she has even at the age of her mid-50’s. Kudos Madonna.
Ronn Torossian is the President of 5WPR, 1 of the 25 largest Public Relations Agencies in the US, and author of “For Immediate Release.”
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