Super Bowl: Best Deals and Contests for the Big Game (Video)

By Laine Doss Wed., Jan. 30 2013 at 9:59 AM

Categories: Gastronomic Gatherings

Pepsi

Beyonce is part of Pepsi's big game campaign.

The big game is only a few days away, and with it comes a host of marketing opportunities, commercials, promotions, contests, and giveaways.

Each year, execs at major food and beverage companies wrack their brains for ways to get you, the consumer, to laugh, cry, and pull out your wallet before, during, and after the Super Bowl.

Though the cost of airing a Super Bowl commercial is famously high (about $4 million for a 30-second spot, according to CNN Money), the rewards are great -- especially when there's a consumer deal or contest tie-in.

We've compiled a list of the best deals and contests for this year's big game -- along with some of the cooler commercials set to run.

Pappa John

Play the game - you've got a 50/50 shot at winning.

Papa John's Coin Toss

We may not agree with founder John Schnatter about mixing pizza and politics, but that doesn't mean we didn't enter the Papa John's coin toss experience. It's pretty easy, and the odds are 50/50 -- just visit the Papa John's website and predict the outcome of the Super Bowl coin toss -- heads or tails. If you're correct, you win a free large one-topping pizza (via email coupon).

Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest
This annual contest has to be the most creative. Doritos asks fans to watch and vote on five amateur commercials. The winning director not only gets to see their ad shown during the big game (with an average price of about $4 million), but they'll also work with Michael Bay on his new Transformers film. These commercials are always clever, and this year's batch includes cross-dressing dads, annoying farm animals, and plenty of Chihuahuas. Watch all the entries here.

Pizza Hut Super Bowl Giveaway
Even before the Super Bowl happens, the companies who have invested millions in advertising space capitalize on it by "leaking" their commercials to the public. This year's Pizza Hut commercial is all about the "Hut" -- get it? The pizza giant has announced that if the word hut is said during the Super Bowl (duh), it'll give away a free mystery product on Tuesday, February 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at all of its restaurants. The company won't say what the product is, but it's likely a new item. We're banking on pepperoni dessert cupcakes.