Blockchain.com is set to make waves in the advertising landscape as it introduces a fully AI-generated commercial for the upcoming 2025 NFL season. This innovative 15-second spot will debut during the Dallas Cowboys’ home opener on Sunday and highlights how brands can leverage AI technology to create cost-effective video advertisements.
This collaboration is a significant milestone, marking the first time that AI technology has been seamlessly integrated with sports advertising, particularly featuring Rowdy, the beloved mascot of the Dallas Cowboys. Audiences can expect to see the ad displayed on screens throughout AT&T Stadium for the remainder of the season. In addition, it will also air at various fuel stations across Texas and during game days on the Dallas Cowboy Television Network. Following its initial broadcast, fans can access the ad on both the Cowboys’ official website and Blockchain.com’s social media platforms.
In a unique twist, Rowdy transcends the stadium experience, interacting with fans in a digital environment where he manages his Blockchain.com wallet, further illustrating the convergence of sports enthusiasm and financial innovation. The ad aims to empower fans in their financial journeys, bridging the gap between the excitement of the game and the future of finance.
James Maddison, Blockchain.com’s head of marketing, collaborated with the creative agency Supermassive to produce the advertisement. Maddison crafted the script, which served as the foundation for the entire project. Utilizing AI visual-generation tools like Runway Frames and Google’s Imagen 4, Supermassive turned textual prompts into visuals. Approximately 300 images were generated, with Maddison carefully selecting around 50 of the most fitting frames for the narrative.
These selected images underwent enhancement with the AI upscaler Magnific, resulting in an additional 100 refined visuals. The upgraded frames then entered the animation phase, utilizing the Kling tool to transform still images into dynamic video clips. This stage involved numerous revisions and roughly 200 extra AI iterations to fine-tune the timing, motion, and overall visual style, leading to around 1,000 AI “rolls” throughout the entire production process.
Despite AI’s reputation for expediting content creation, the entirety of this project took several weeks to complete. One of the notable benefits of using artificial intelligence in video production is the cost efficiency it provides. Traditional video shoots typically range from $5,000 to over $20,000 per minute due to factors like crew and equipment costs. In contrast, AI-generated content can be produced for as little as $5 to $10 per minute, making it a far more accessible option for brands seeking rapid and economical video content.
The partnership between the Dallas Cowboys and Blockchain.com began in 2022, making headlines as the first instance of an NFL team entering the cryptocurrency realm, according to statements from Blockchain.com. This multi-year collaboration has yielded exclusive experiences for fans, including opportunities to win autographed memorabilia, crypto rewards, and game tickets through exciting game-day promotions like “Block That Kick” and “Cowboys Math,” all while prioritizing financial education and integrating cryptocurrency into fan interaction.
