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2012 Super Bowl Commercials

This year, it's a record $3.5 million per 30-second commercial.

That's another giant leap over the average $3 million that a Super Bowl ad commanded in 2011. So will major U.S. companies pay the new, exorbitant amount for such short air time? And in a financial recession?

You betcha.

Traditionally, the big game draws close to 100 million viewers, the biggest TV audience for any U.S. sporting event. By November 2011, NBC had already sold most of its inventory to Coca Cola, Anheuser-Busch, and a number of big car companies, along with the mega-movie studios that have become the mainstays of any televised Super Bowl match.

Our pick of who should win the Dorito's Crash the Super Bowl contest: "Sling Baby."

2012 Super Bowl commercials

This year, as always, watch for the return of the popular Clydesdale horses to make an appearance as Bud debuts its major 2012 spots for Super Bowl audiences. In 2012, also watch for the the kick-off of Bud Light Platinum — the new higher alcohol version of Light, and the brewer's biggest beer launch in recent memory.

After last year's huge success with its "Little Darth Vader" spot, Volkswagon is going for a Star Wars redux -- this time with an equally memorable pack of dogs barking "The Imperial March" theme from the popular movie epic.

Turning to the bark side: Volkswagon returns to its successful Star Wars theme.

Meanwhile, GoDaddy fans can look forward to the company's famous buxom babes returning again this year -- in at least one 30-second spot featuring race car driver Danica Patrick.

This year, disappointment awaits Kim Kardashian fans as Skechers drops her in 2012 in favor of a really cute bulldog. Fame is fleeting. Go figure.

So long, Kim Kardashian. Skechers drops the reality star for a cute canine in 2012.

Meanwhile, Dorito's returns with more user-generated (and cheap to produce!) commercials in their "Crash the Super Bowl" contest promising a $1 million prize for the big winner (see our pick of who SHOULD win, above, along with a complete list of finalists here.)

Besides cars, beer, and chips, the strongest advertisers are the big Hollywood studios, this year offering 2012 Super Bowl glory to Disney's John Carter, Paramount's G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and a tantalizing 15-second spot for Marvel Studio's The Avengers.

The long-awaited The Avengers features an all-star cast in this 15-second spot.

The Rock and Bruce Willis star in this movie trailer spot for G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Jerry Seinfeld figures in a 60-second spot for the Acura NSX, with a cameo by Jay Leno.

The CareerBuilder monkeys are back in a very funny 30 second spot.

More about Super Bowl ads around the Web:

Around the Web, check out more information on some of the top Super Bowl ads of all time including the funniest, sexiest, and most notable, along with sneak peaks at 2012 spots featured on game day by major advertisers:

Superbowl-Ads.com - Super Bowl commercial central, featuring related news and updates, archive of the best commercials dating back to 1998, and Top Ten collections of all time

The ads of Super Bowl XLVI : AdWeek's preview - 2012's top picks with reviews and sneak previews.

Top Ten Sexiest Super Bowl Commercials - Spike TV survey of the hottest Super Bowl commercials including the Go Daddy Girl, Jessica Simpson Pizza Hut, and more with video goodness.

Using Super Bowl Ads in the Classroom - With lesson plans, news articles and streaming video clips.

Super Bowl advertising Wikipedia - Brief overview with a list of the most famous Super Bowl commercials, related links and resources.

also see -> SUPER BOWL 2012

also see in Pop Culture -> Great Moments in Advertising