When Betr—the betting and media company Jake Paul co-founded—decided to roll out a national connected-TV spot before Paul’s next fight, they faced a familiar problem: traditional ad shoots take months and cost a fortune. Instead of assembling a full cast and crew, negotiating locations and ironing out every last detail, Betr teamed up with video-automation firm Waymark and produced a polished 30-second commercial in just 48 hours using its new Waymark Cinematic platform.
Waymark Cinematic’s Seamless AI-Driven Storytelling
Waymark Cinematic weaves AI-generated visuals, voice and music into a seamless, story-driven spot rather than relying on the quick-cut, motion-graphics style common in so many AI ads today. In this case, an AI-rendered Jake Paul stomps through a neon-lit city in a Transformer-style suit, challenging viewers to download the Betr app and place their bets. The real boxer’s face blends into the digital effects, while Paul’s authentic voice transitions smoothly into an ElevenLabs-produced replica for a few key lines.
From Months to Days: Compressing Traditional Workflows
What once took roughly 12 weeks of location scouting, casting and post-production wrapped up in two days—thanks to a pipeline powered by Google’s Veo 3, Runway, OpenAI models and ElevenLabs audio. Waymark handles everything from storyboarding to scene transitions, cutting out the usual budget negotiations and approval delays that bog down traditional shoots. Once finalized, the commercial went live on Comcast’s self-serve Universal Ads platform, reaching audiences across AMC Networks, DIRECTV, Estrella Media, Fox and more.
Mainstream Brands Embrace High-Production AI Ads
Betr’s experiment reflects a larger shift in advertising. Spectrum is already using Waymark’s tools to churn out localized commercials, and even professional services firms like Plante Moran are testing high-production-value AI ads. On the agency side, Meta plans to roll out end-to-end AI ad creation and targeting by next year, and GroupM predicts that by 2029, over 94 percent of ad revenue will be driven by AI.
Navigating the Uncanny Valley in AI Commercials
Of course, there’s a downside. Early AI campaigns from Coca-Cola and video startup Pika drew criticism for uncanny visuals that felt more creepy than cutting-edge. As AI-generated graphics edge closer to photorealism, brands must walk a fine line between thrilling viewers and unsettling them. The definition of an “AI ad” is already blurring—and it will slide even further as generative tools find their way into every step of the creative process.
A High-Stakes Bet on the Future of Fast, Cinematic Ads
For Betr and Waymark, the big bet is proving that AI can deliver cinematic flair at a fraction of the usual cost and timeline. When Paul’s next fight airs, viewers will see exactly what happens when technology and blockbuster storytelling collide. If it works, this could signal a new era of fast, cost-effective commercials that pack the same punch as any high-budget production.