Despite the current economic climate, Rakuten has determined that appearing in the Super Bowl is worth the near $7 million price tag after a successful debut in 2022. That spot, which like this year’s effort was created in-house, showed “Ted Lasso” actress Hannah Waddingham in a casino.
The appearance helped the company gain ground in awareness, McRae said, noting that Rakuten moved 5 points in brand awareness metrics last year “and we believe Super Bowl played a big role in that.” In addition, Rakuten said it saw a 10% uptick in buyers between February and a shopping event it hosts in May as well as more high-profile brands joined its 3,500-store network in the months following the Super Bowl appearance last year.
“When you show up in a place like the Super Bowl … merchants we had been talking to but hadn’t been able to get on the platform—last year, we started to get phone calls from,” said McRae, who runs a 45-person team. “That’s why we’re continuing to hit the gas,” she added.
The full 30-second ad will run in the first quarter of the Feb. 12 game. It is part of a larger effort that includes a 60-second spot, and other creative content starring Silverstone.
“It’s not just about the spot—we’re trying to approach the program with the objective of cementing us and building our credibility in style and fashion,” McRae said.