From Crypto to AI: A Look Back at the 2023 Super Bowl Ad Landscape and Key Highlights

Cryptocurrency Ads Missing from Super Bowl as AI Takes Center Stage

In a stark contrast to previous years, the 2023 Super Bowl notably lacked a prominent presence of cryptocurrency advertisements, a significant shift from the 2022 ‘Crypto Bowl.’ Last year, the advertisement roster featured prominent companies such as Coinbase, Crypto.com, and the now-defunct FTX exchange, coinciding with a bullish trend in the cryptocurrency market that saw major gains.

The absence of crypto promotions during this year’s Super Bowl is reflective of the challenging bear market that has engulfed the cryptocurrency industry, worsened by the fallout from the collapse of FTX. Once a vibrant player in the Super Bowl ad landscape, cryptocurrency firms have retreated as the market conditions soured, leaving a void that was once filled with high-profile and attention-grabbing ads.

AI Takes the Spotlight

This year, the Super Bowl advertisement space was dominated by themes related to artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant pivot in the types of products and services being promoted during one of the most-watched events in American sports. As AI continues to make headlines across various sectors, advertisers seized the opportunity to showcase their innovations in this rapidly evolving field.

Game Highlights and Celebrity Appearances

In the midst of the changing advertising landscape, the game itself featured the Kansas City Chiefs, who made history as the first team associated with NFTs to win three Super Bowls. However, they faced defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles in a closely contested match.

The star-studded event boasted an array of famous celebrities, including pop sensation Taylor Swift, who attended the game while dating Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Home Alone actor Macaulay Culkin was also present, adding to the celebrity atmosphere of the event.

Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show

The halftime show was a highlight of the evening, with rapper Kendrick Lamar giving a powerful performance. His set included his Grammy-winning track ‘Not Like Us,’ and featured a surprise appearance by tennis icon Serena Williams. Lamar’s performance received widespread acclaim, making it one of the standout moments of the night.

As the Super Bowl concluded, its blend of sports, entertainment, and shifting market dynamics underscored the evolving landscape of advertising and cultural relevance in a rapidly changing world. Cryptocurrency’s absence this year serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the industry, while the focus on AI illustrates the broader technological trends capturing public attention.