For decades, brands have spent millions on Super Bowl commercials, hoping for a few seconds of attention. But now, smart companies are shifting their budgets to social media marketing, influencer marketing partnerships, and long-term brand storytelling—and the results speak for themselves.
Unpopular Opinion: I did not even watch the Super Bowl this year or the half-time shows. Last year, I did watch half-time.
The Super Bowl Ad Price vs. Social Media ROI
The cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad in 2025 was $8 million. That doesn’t include production, celebrity endorsements, or additional marketing around the ad.
Of course, I have marveled at the creative marketing genius and enjoyed Super Bowl Ads before.
At the same time, that does not mean I took action from them. An example I remember years ago a Dorito's commercial. I do not and have not eaten chips for over 10 years.
As part of my research solely for this article, I glanced the Super Bowl Ads. I skimmed through them and the only brand that caught my attention as relatable as part of my financial background was TurboTax. I have used TurboTax for over 10 years. While I enjoyed the creativity behind the Super Bowl Ad (especially for financial professionals) with Issa Rae's performance (love her acting), I am not sold on the strategy of brands using Super Bowl Ads.
As I glanced through the Super Bowl 2025 Recap on CNBC news, I clicked on the Uber Eats commercial because of the rave reviews.
At the same time, for both of the Super Bowl Ads, I added up the $8 million for 30 seconds, celebrity endorsements, production and filming cost estimates.
For creators and brands, any investment should consider the impact to the team, bottom line, alternate use of funds, and the return on investment.
An $8 Million Dollar Investment should consider the impact to employee morale
to a whole new level and the lifetime legacy and results of the commercial.
This is not about the entertainment value of Super Bowl Ads. This is about the investment, legacy and Return on Investment.
Of course it is "cool" to have an ad in the Super Bowl. I wonder about the tracking of the results with reach, views, clicks, conversions and sales.
I wonder about the employee morale of knowing the brand intimately, the raise they received that year, and knowing that the brand spent $8 MILLION on 30 seconds. I wonder if they even told them ahead of time or asked for input.
This is about brands taking responsibility for the use of funds often as public companies to the people.
I have followed Aggie (a fellow Multi-Passionate, Traveler, and Polish Born entrepreneur for years).
I love what her husband, Jacob, the creator and owner of a creative non-agency shared on
"Brands that spent $8 million on a Super Bowl commercial missed the mark."
Jacob isn't the only one who thinks so.
Several influencer marketing platforms I have worked with on the brand, agency, and influencer agree. Aspire IO, Influencer Intelligence, Neoreach and Later Media highlight traditional advertising, Super Bowl, and influencer marketing ROI.
Working with a Brand Considering a Super Bowl Ad
In a collaboration with Later Media and Visa, they named me Top 10 out of 1000s of submissions for influencer marketing strategies.
So, if I was working with your brand or any brand considering a Super Bowl Ad...
1 Creating a Year Long Social Media Management Campaign Around the Creative Idea
2 Team of Creators ranging from 7-100 including Mr Beast, Jenny Hoyas, Aggie and Jacob
3 Multiple Types of Content from Long Form to Short Form to Written to AI to Repurposing
4 Aligning to Launches and Offers All Year Shared on Creator Platforms
5 Total Budget $4 million max
This would range from 1-7 pieces of content per creator. This is 7 pieces of content to 700.
The earned media on this content with creators like the ones spotlighted below is well over $8 million. That is not counting the community, conversions, virality, legacy and momentum for the year.
What would I propose with the rest of the budget?
$2 million in bonuses to employees and $1 million to help end homelessness in the cities where the company is headquartered, and $1 million saved. These are minimums.
Imagine the impact, influence and income of the year long campaign, employee bonuses, giving, and million saved. That is not counting the ROI from ALL the content, clicks, and sales.
The 30 Seconds played to millions. of viewers is featured on media sources. I am not blind to the fact that the 30 seconds gets played over and over.
At the same time, when I glanced at the views on the Uber Eats Ad on YouTube currently it has about 600,000 views vs the one short below has over 12 million on Jenny's channel alone.
Imagine if she created 3 to 7 videos.
Influencer Marketing Creator ROI Examples
Take a look at a creator like Mr Beast and his views on one video in a week to a month.
Imagine integrating a contest or a game for our campaign?!
Take a look at creators like Ashley Renne I and we have worked with at live activations
This Creator Driven Brand Activation with Fitness Fuses with Fashion in Atlanta with Nike illustrates the power of creating, community and content (while giving back to help end homelessness).
Super Bowl vs Influencer Marketing Case Study:
Nike vs Gym Shark vs Herbalife
By comparison, brands investing in social media and influencer marketing may see higher engagement, long-term brand loyalty, and better conversions for a fraction of the cost.
Speaking of Nike, for example. Nike has spent hundreds of millions on Super Bowl ads over the years. However, their social media campaigns featuring athletes, wellness influencers, and everyday creators generate massive organic reach and foster a deeper emotional connection.
Yes This Is Me - Katrina Julia. I cried when I saw these photos by Brett Seeley
Someone Told Me - This Should Be a Nike Ad. I Agree.
A single Nike influencer campaign may cost less than 5% of a Super Bowl ad. Let that sink in.
At the same time, this same Nike influencer campaign may generate millions of impressions and ongoing engagement for months, not just one night. That is not counting repurposing that content for an ad.
Compare that to Gymshark, which has never run a Super Bowl ad but built a billion-dollar brand by partnering with fitness influencers, trainers, and real-life success stories.
Their grassroots, community-driven marketing approach has helped them dominate the fitness industry without a single TV commercial.
ROI Comparison: Nike vs. Gymshark
Nike's Super Bowl Ad Investment: Estimated $100M+ over the years
Nike's Social Media & Influencer ROI: Millions of engagements per campaign, strong brand loyalty, and sustained conversions
Gymshark's Social Media Strategy: Built a billion-dollar brand with influencer partnerships, without spending on TV ads
Gymshark's ROI: Rapid growth, high customer retention, and a loyal fitness community
Herbalife’s Authentic Storytelling Strategy
You may or may not know I lost over 55 lbs in 2014 with healthy habits, competing in fitness, and Herbalife Nutrition. My first year in sharing my story on social media on Facebook alone grew my business 25X.
That's the power of story telling and sharing on social media.
Disclaimer: average person who uses Herbalife Nutrition with a healthy active lifestyle loses a .5 a lb to a 1b a week.
Unlike traditional ad-heavy brands, Herbalife leverages social media and creator-driven storytelling to showcase real entrepreneur and customer results.
Instead of spending millions on Super Bowl ads, they empower their independent distributors to share personal wellness transformations, lifestyle benefits, and community experiences. This authentic marketing builds trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships that convert far better than one-time ad impressions.
Even with sponsored athletes like Cristiano Renaldo, Herbalife requires they use the products for six months first before sharing testimonials. Herbalife Global Nutrition sponsors over 200+ athletes globally.
ROI Comparison: Herbalife vs. Traditional Ads
Super Bowl Ad ROI (Traditional Brands): Short-term buzz, high cost per impression, no long-term engagement
Herbalife’s Social Media ROI: Continuous engagement, direct customer interactions, and community-driven sales
Why Influencer & Social Media Marketing Wins
Here’s why social media and influencer partnerships are outperforming traditional
Super Bowl ads:
✅ Cost-Effective – $8 million could fund hundreds of influencer partnerships and
targeted ad campaigns.
✅ Long-Term Engagement – Influencers create ongoing brand conversations,
unlike a 30-second TV spot.
✅ Targeted Reach – Brands reach niche audiences who actually care about their products.
✅ Authenticity & Trust – People trust recommendations from real creators
more than celebrity-stuffed TV ads.
Why Brands are Ditching Super Bowl Ads for Influencers🌍
Marketing is evolving FAST. Brands aren’t just selling anymore—they’re storytelling, collaborating, and creating creator-driven communities. That’s why top brands are ditching traditional Super Bowl ads and investing in influencers who create content, courses, community, conversions, and CASH.
💡 Why? Because influencer marketing is:
✅ More targeted – Brands tap into niche, engaged communities
✅ More authentic – Audiences trust creators over corporations
✅ More cost-effective – A fraction of the cost, with higher ROI
✅ More scalable – Real-time content across multiple platforms
✨ This shift ties perfectly into 7 Ways to Create Content Like a Boss,
Whether you’re a brand who wants to create, or creator, now is the time to master social-first strategies online and in real life with content, courses, and community to #CREATEIT Like a Boss.
Our and Creator Retreats are incredible ways for brands and creators alike to Love, Create, and Play. We've both partnered and placed brands and creators.
This is your year to CREATEIT Like a Boss
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