[Chapter 473: The Super Bowl and Victoria's Secret Angel Lingerie Show]
At 3 p.m., the pre-game opening events for the 1996 Super Bowl officially began. The first to kick off were the owners of the two finalist teams, who took an electric cart to circle the stadium, much like a ceremonial parade. This was a unique Super Bowl tradition, a special honor reserved exclusively for the team owners.
Next up was a lively performance by the Arizona University cheerleading squad. Honestly, this team was impressive overall, and the eighteen- and nineteen-year-old girls were at the peak of their beauty, making the opening show a visual delight. Their physiques, toned legs, and perfectly synchronized moves paired with hot and energetic dance routines truly impressed the crowd.
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At 3:30 p.m., the 30th Super Bowl of the American Football League officially kicked off. Watching the game live, being on-site, surrounded by powerful collisions, countless tackles and sprints, players' fierce roars, and the crowd's wild enthusiasm -- really got his blood pumping.
Especially after picking a team to support, his emotions were fully engaged, leading him to cheer enthusiastically with the rest of the crowd. The first half ended with the Cowboys leading 13 to 7, followed by the much-anticipated halftime commercial block.
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This year, the Super Bowl organizers went all out with seventy commercials, totaling thirty-five minutes. Each advertiser packed their 30-second spot with vivid stories, humor, and memorable moments that conveyed their core values and product highlights.
The commercials were extremely well produced -- more captivating than many movies. Observing the audience, Linton noticed that most people were even more engaged watching the ads than the game itself.
Since Linton first placed an explosive ad for Speed in the Super Bowl two years ago, it sparked a trend among Hollywood studios this year, culminating in fifteen movies advertising during the game, including his own film company's Mission: Impossible and The Long Kiss Goodnight, as well as Universal's Apollo 13.
Movies that advertise during the Super Bowl are usually blockbuster action flicks or visually spectacular spectacles. Condensed into 30-second highlights, they were often far more entertaining than other commercials, holding the audience riveted.
Unfortunately, Twister didn't make it this year. Given its earth-shattering special effects, an ad during the Super Bowl would have been a major hit.
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Next came the halftime show. The stadium went dark, followed by a dazzling light show and fireworks display. Then the legendary fifty-something diva Diana Ross took the stage with her female vocal group and backup dancers. While the performance was heartfelt and lively, the effect was underwhelming -- perhaps Diana's age was a factor. The crowd's reaction was lukewarm, nothing compared to what one might expect.
It was puzzling why the organizers didn't book a currently reigning pop diva instead, like Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey; their presence would have been far more electrifying.
The final act of the halftime show was a six-minute Victoria's Secret Angel lingerie runway show. Heidi Klum led the six sexy, statuesque Angels wearing minimal and daring lingerie as they stepped onto the runway that had been set up on the field.
Each model sported wings symbolizing their "angel" status and blew kisses to cameras and the audience, constantly interacting with fans both in the stadium and watching live broadcasts.
During the show, each model changed through three sets of lingerie, each more sensuous than the last. The display made women both admire and envy the looks while sending male fans into a frenzy of excitement.
Linton wasn't sure how the TV audience reacted, but at the stadium, the effect was explosive. From the moment the Angels appeared, over 80,000 fans roared with screams and cheers that nearly shattered the roof.
When the six-minute show ended, many spectators lamented how brief the Angel runway had been. Without doubt, the Victoria's Secret show completely stole the spotlight from the game and other halftime performances. In those few minutes, Victoria's Secret firmly imprinted its brand in everyone's mind.
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Following the show, the second half of the game resumed. Robert and Scott left the VIP box to join Les Wexner backstage, preparing for the upcoming press conference.
Meanwhile, Linton, accompanied by Winnie, Catherine, and two assistants, remained energized, watching the intense physical clashes on the field.
In the end, the Dallas Cowboys edged out their rivals 27 to 17 to claim the 30th Super Bowl championship, sending their fans into a wild celebration.
...
After the game, Linton did not leave the stadium. Under the protection of his bodyguards, he entered the Super Bowl press conference hall alongside Victoria's Secret representatives to hold a joint news briefing for the Angels and the movie Mission: Impossible.
This was part of a carefully coordinated promotional campaign involving Victoria's Secret, Universal Pictures, and Linton Films, with Linton as the centerpiece. All parties wanted to leverage this opportunity to generate buzz for both Mission: Impossible and Victoria's Secret, attracting extensive media attention.
As planned, Linton took the stage to deliver a speech, highly praising today's lingerie show and announcing that during the premiere of Mission: Impossible, the Victoria's Secret Angels would do a live runway event to help promote the film.
Having the Angels walk the runway for a movie premiere was a brilliant and highly marketable idea that journalists eagerly anticipated. The reporters in attendance were visibly impressed.
Heidi Klum, stepping in as the temporary host for the press conference, mentioned that Hollywood legend and mega-star Linton was also a major shareholder in Victoria's Secret. The concept for this show had originally come from Linton himself, the acclaimed Hollywood director.
Already a Hollywood icon, and now a key stakeholder in Victoria's Secret, his new movie and promotional ideas instantly became the media's hot topic.
The already frenzied crowd of reporters and paparazzi went into even greater excitement.
Linton said, "Media and fashion have always been inseparable. There are many opportunities for resource sharing and mutual support. I see my investment in Victoria's Secret as a win-win for Universal, my film company, and for the future of Victoria's Secret."
He continued, "Actually, I just put forward the idea for the Angels to walk at the Super Bowl. It was Victoria's Secret CEO Les Wexner who turned this vision into reality."
Following the prepared remarks lauding Victoria's Secret, Linton smoothly shifted the conversation back to the new film.
"Spy movies aren't just about 007 anymore. I'm confident Mission: Impossible will become a new milestone in the spy genre, a classic blend of action, adventure, and espionage suspense."
*****
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