Article: Ads toned down for big game: ; NBC sold some spots for Super Bowl prior to financial crisis; some companies still nervous

The Super Bowl is on track to remain one big, glitzy bash even in these tough economic times.

That's not to say some advertisers aren't nervous about buying expensive ad slots as business falters. Some stalwarts such as General Motors Corp., FedEx Corp. and Garmin Ltd. won't be advertising on the Feb. 1 broadcast on NBC. Playboy Enterprises Inc. isn't throwing its customary party at the game, for the first time in nine years.

But aggressive marketing by NBC to secure ad deals before last September's financial meltdown helped to ensure Super Bowl XLIII won't be a marketing bust.

NBC said 90 percent of the Super Bowl ads had sold as of mid- January. Most ads have sold for about $3 million per ...

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