Mondelez to Use AI for TV Ads in 2026
▼ Summary
– Mondelez is using generative AI to reduce marketing costs and plans to release AI-generated TV ads next year.
– The company has invested over $40 million in an AI video tool that can cut production costs by half.
– AI-generated TV ads are expected to air for the 2026 holiday season and potentially the 2027 Super Bowl.
– Mondelez is already applying the tool for social content on Chips Ahoy and Milka and will use it for Oreo online pages in November.
– While companies increasingly use AI to lower ad spending, past efforts like Coca-Cola’s AI Christmas ads faced criticism for being “soulless” and creepy.
Mondelez International, the global food and beverage powerhouse behind iconic brands like Oreo and Cadbury, is making a bold leap into artificial intelligence for its television advertising campaigns. The company plans to debut AI-generated TV commercials as early as next year, a strategic move aimed at dramatically reducing marketing production expenses. This initiative represents a significant shift in how major corporations approach content creation.
A senior executive from the snack food conglomerate revealed that the firm has invested a substantial sum, exceeding $40 million, in a specialized generative AI video platform. According to Jon Halvorson, Mondelez’s Global Senior Vice President of Consumer Experience, this technology has the potential to cut production costs in half. The first wave of AI-crafted television spots is scheduled for release in time for the 2026 holiday season, with a potential high-profile slot during the 2027 Super Bowl.
The AI tool is not just a future prospect; it is already actively being deployed. Mondelez is currently utilizing the system to produce social media content for its Chips Ahoy! cookies and Milka chocolate brands. Furthermore, the company has announced plans to leverage the same AI to design and assemble online product pages for Oreo cookies starting in November, showcasing the technology’s versatility across different marketing channels.
This trend of adopting AI for advertising is gaining momentum as businesses seek more efficient ways to manage their marketing budgets. However, the reception from consumers has been inconsistent. The corporate world is watching closely, as previous high-profile attempts have met with public criticism. For instance, Coca-Cola’s AI-generated Christmas advertisements last year faced a severe online backlash, with many viewers describing them as unsettling and devoid of genuine emotion.
(Source: The Verge)
