Super Bowl 2026: What 23% of Commercials Had in Common – #201

In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin breaks down how artificial intelligence took center stage during Super Bowl 2026 advertising, based on reporting by Trishla Ostwal via Adweek. With 23% of all Super Bowl ads featuring AI, this episode explores the sharp divide between companies advertising AI products and brands using AI behind the scenes. From brand positioning to user adoption data and emotional audience response, Alex highlights why AI isn't just a marketing trend—it's becoming marketing infrastructure.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Intro – Why Super Bowl ads matter in marketing strategy

[00:28] AI stats: 15 of 65 ads (23%) featured AI, via iSpot

[01:05] Two types of advertisers: AI companies vs consumer brands using AI

[01:45] Awareness vs usage: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude adoption stats

[02:23] eMarketer projections: ChatGPT usage through 2029

[02:50] Audience reactions: likability, purchase intent, emotional response

[03:20] Why clarity is the new advantage in crowded conversations

[03:30] Final question for marketers + show wrap-up

Wisdom Nuggets:

Normalization Shifts the Strategy: Once a product like AI becomes normalized, the marketing challenge shifts from “What is it?” to “Why should I care?” That shift demands smarter messaging.

Adoption Takes Time—Even with Awareness : Even though ChatGPT has high name recognition, actual usage is still catching up. Marketers need to respect the adoption curve and tailor campaigns accordingly.

Advertising ≠ Explaining : There’s a difference between showcasing a product and making people understand it. That gap can define success or failure, especially at the Super Bowl scale.

Reaction Is the Real Metric : With massive spend and reach almost guaranteed, what matters most is how people react emotionally. The most memorable campaigns connect, not just broadcast.

Clarity Wins in Noisy Markets : When many brands say similar things, the one with the clearest and most relatable message sticks. Clear beats clever when everyone's shouting.

Power Quotes

“Even with massive awareness, usage still grows in stages—and that gap matters.” - Alex Quin

“AI is now everywhere during the Super Bowl. The next question is—who’s actually advertising it?” - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

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LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

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