AI-generated commercials are making a splash in the advertising world.
The Bold Debut: An Unusual Ad During the NBA Finals
If you tuned into the recent NBA finals, you likely experienced some unforgettable visuals. Among the typical basketball excitement, a wonderfully bizarre advertisement graced our screens. Picture this: a shirtless elderly man adorned with an American flag, a farmer leisurely floating in an inflatable pool filled with eggs, an alien guzzling beer, and a woman in a sparkly pink tracksuit commandeering a Zamboni. This eclectic mix wasn’t just for laughs; it was the brainchild of generative AI, costing a mere $2,000 and created in just two days.
From Concept to Creation: The Journey of the AI-Generated Ad
This intriguing advertisement was crafted for Kalshi, a platform where users can engage in real-money trading on actual world events. With the backdrop of the NBA finals, the quirky AI-generated characters made their preferences known, passionately cheering on their favorite teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, who currently lead the series 2-1. The ad also humorously touched on contemporary concerns, such as the fluctuating price of eggs.
The Technology Behind the Madness
The creative forces behind this ad, YouTuber and filmmaker PJ Ace, confirmed it was born from Veo 3, Google’s cutting-edge AI video generator that expands the creative possibilities for marketers. With Veo 3 now available, advertisers are embracing the allure of producing affordable and eye-catching content. Big players like Meta are reportedly planning to go all-in on AI-generated ads, aiming for total automation of ad creation by the end of next year, as detailed by the Wall Street Journal.
Taking a Chance on AI
A spokesperson for Kalshi shared their initial hesitation regarding an AI-generated video. **“After exploring production quotes exceeding six or seven figures and timelines that did not align with our schedule, we decided to take a chance on this technology,”** they stated. The ad was designed with outrageous scenes that reflect the chaotic nature of the world, while also adhering to Veo 3’s eight-second clip length limit, leading to a fast-paced, dynamic commercial.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process
Ace detailed the creative process on X, revealing that Kalshi tasked him to produce an ad focusing on various betting markets, including the NBA Finals. He aimed to create an experience where “crazy characters engage in wild antics, all while promoting the brand.” In his YouTube video description, Ace expressed that Kalshi had hired him to create the “most outrageous NBA Finals commercial possible.” He predicted that “high-dopamine Veo 3 videos will be the dominant ad trend by 2025.”
The Cost-Efficiency of AI Advertising
Ace also highlighted the efficiency of AI in advertisement production, stating he had to generate “300–400 iterations to produce 15 usable clips.” This output ultimately resulted in a commercial that cost around 95% less than traditional advertising methods. While some brands might still prefer to “pay a premium for taste,” Ace envisions a future where small teams churn out viral, brand-centric content weekly, achieving 80-90% of traditional ad results for a fraction of the cost.
Topics
Artificial Intelligence
Google
