How Kalshi’s AI Ad Crushed Big-Budget Commercials During the NBA Finals
Wibits Web Solutions LLP
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What if we told you the most talked-about ad during the NBA Finals cost less than your monthly rent?
During Game 3 of the NBA Finals, something strange and groundbreaking happened during the ad break.
An old man screamed about Indiana. An alien chugged a beer. A guy floated in a pool of eggs. And it all aired on national TV.
No, this wasn’t a fever dream. It was Kalshi , a U.S.-based prediction market, rolling out a wild, AI-generated commercial that took just two days and $2,000 to make. In a space where traditional agencies burn $400,000+ for a single 30-second spot, Kalshi proved you can go viral, go national, and go rogue with AI as your secret weapon.
The mastermind behind the madness? PJ Accetturo , a solo AI filmmaker who produced the entire spot from home, in his underwear, using Google’s Veo 3, Gemini, and basic editing tools like CapCut and Premiere.
“It aired next to commercials that cost hundreds of thousands, and I made this alone in two days without putting on pants,” Accetturo quipped in a newsletter detailing the behind-the-scenes.
The Numbers That Break the Rules
Kalshi’s commercial didn’t just stand out, it shattered industry norms.
While traditional agencies would take 6–8 weeks to deliver, Kalshi’s spot hit primetime in just two days and with a chaotic, meme-like aesthetic that resonated with younger audiences. It wasn’t polished or polished on purpose. It was weird. It was wild. It worked.
The AI-First Workflow That Made It Happen
Kalshi didn’t just save money, they rewrote the rulebook.
The process started with a rough brief: markets ranging from sports to egg prices. Accetturo ran with it, scripting a GTA-inspired fever dream that blended chaos with relevance. He used Gemini and ChatGPT to create shot prompts, then rendered each one in Veo 3. No AI continuity magic—each shot was treated as its own scene, refined until it fit the vision.
After generating hundreds of clips, he whittled it down to 15. Final editing happened in Premiere and CapCut, with AI tools for voiceover, sound design, and effects.
This kind of lean, high-speed workflow is now accessible to anyone, not just giant brands. Here's how a typical AI ad cost breaks down:
All in, the cost aligns with Kalshi’s $2,000 budget. But the biggest win? They could funnel more of their spend into media buying, not production.
Why This Is a Turning Point for Advertising
Kalshi’s AI ad didn’t just get people talking, it triggered a wave of industry reflection.
Big agencies charging six figures for production now face real competition from $2K AI-generated spots that reach millions. Brands are realizing they don’t need mega budgets to make a national impact.
This shift is fueling an $8 billion boom in AI advertising, expected by 2029. As roles like "AI prompt engineer" and "creative technologist" emerge, the creative stack is evolving:
The Future Is Fast, Weird, and AI-Generated
Kalshi’s ad is more than a novelty, it’s a wake-up call. For Super Bowl-level productions, brands still spend upwards of $30 million. But when a $2,000 ad can cut through the noise and reach 20 million people, the playing field is no longer defined by budget.
We’re entering an era where creativity wins, not just cash. Agencies that embrace this AI revolution will thrive. Those that don’t? Risk becoming yesterday’s story.
Because the next breakout ad might not need a set, a crew, or even pants. Just a laptop and a prompt.