Variety reports a 30-second ad for the upcoming Super Bowl broadcast on CBS is selling for between 2.5 and 2.8 million dollars, a drop from last year when NBC averaged three million dollars a spot.  TNS Media Intelligence states the figure is based on reports from advertisers and media buyers and reflects the current economic conditions.  It's only the second time in Super Bowl history that ad prices have declined from the previous year.  In 2007, the average price of a 30-second spot was just under 2.4 million dollars, down from 2.5 million in 2006.

For the first time in 23 seasons, Pepsi will not be advertising its soft drinks during the Super Bowl broadcast, joining General Motors and Federal Express, which both dropped out last year.  A newcomer to the Super Bowl commercial lineup is the U.S. Census Bureau, which is using the high-profile event to remind Americans of this year's nationwide census.   The bureau is paying 2.5 million dollars for two pre-game ads, two on-air mentions and one spot during the game.  CBS said as of last Friday only four of 62 commercial slots remained to be sold.  Super Bowl 44 takes place February 7th in Miami.