PayPal uses NFL return to debut largest US ad campaign ever, starring Will Ferrell

• PayPal is kicking off its largest U.S. ad campaign to date, which will debut on ESPN right before the first Monday night football game of the season.
• The spot stars Will Ferrell on a shopping spree from a lemonade stand to a boutique to a horse riding stand, where he pays with PayPal and celebrates earning rewards to the tune of Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere.”
• With the Hollywood A-lister, the new campaign hints at a possible Super Bowl ad. When asked about this, Geoff Seeley, CMO of PayPal said: “We have plenty of big plans for 2025 – we’re just getting started.”

Mobile payments are taking off, with Mordor Intelligence predicting the category will reach $408 billion by 2029 and 70% of consumers using mobile payments. As companies like Apple Pay, Venmo and Square become more popular in this category, PayPal – a veteran in the digital payments space – has an opportunity to reestablish itself as a leader in the space.

“This is our most ambitious campaign ever as we reintroduce PayPal to the world,” said Seeley. “We set out to shift perception from PayPal as a button at checkout to the safest, smartest, and most rewarding way to shop everywhere both online and in stores. And we wanted to do this in a playful way that would resonate with a range of audiences.”

In addition to the ad, PayPal is also introducing a redesign and an integrated marketing campaign including: out-of-home, digital media, streaming and radio, podcast, influencers and social media takeovers.

“On one hand, we have one of the most recognizable brands that is seen and used by millions of people every day. On the other hand, consumer perceptions of us are outdated – they aren’t aware of the breadth and depth of things they can do with PayPal today,” explained Seeley. “We’re reintroducing PayPal and its product capabilities to the world – showing that we’re way more than an online checkout button and we now offer a rewarding value prop, expanded accessibility and ease to shop and pay with PayPal in stores.”

Using the NFL season – one of TV’s most watched times of year –  as the platform to launch this rebrand gives PayPal a massive reach and could potentially lead into a successful Super Bowl spot, which Seeley hinted at.

“Monday night football is such a signature part of American TV and the perfect cultural kickoff for our campaign,” adds Seeley. “PayPal is for everyone, every type of customer everywhere they shop. We’re speaking to multiple audiences, including Gen Z, Millennials, young families, and millions of smart shoppers all looking for ways to save and put more money back in their pockets every time they make a purchase.”