Talk about being kind of a big deal.
PayPal Australia has gone mammoth for its latest push, enlisting Will Ferrell to front its largest consumer campaign on record.
The Hollywood comedian decided to venture out of his rich mahogany scented apartment to bring his trademark humour to spruik PayPal Pay in 4 – the no-interest, no-late-fee buy now, pay later service.
In the new ad, Ferrell hijacks an in-flight announcement system to tell passengers that they can “Pay in 4 with no interest and no late fees with PayPal”.
In between, he slips in his signature left-field humour, dishing out spelling tips and even bathroom etiquette pointers. It’s very much Ferrell in full Anchorman-mode – a true Afternoon Delight.
The campaign will debut in some of the year’s highest-rating spots, including the AFL and NRL Grand Finals, before rolling out across BVOD, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Binge and other streaming platforms.
Putting comedy to work
“This is the largest consumer campaign PayPal has ever run in Australia, and we’re thrilled it features iconic A-list actor, Will Ferrell, whose universal humour resonates across generations,” said Caitlin Hoey, head of consumer marketing at PayPal Australia.
“He brings unmistakable energy to the creative while shining a spotlight on the benefits of PayPal Pay in 4, a simple BNPL solution that millions of Australians can use with confidence.”
The campaign also unveils PayPal’s new brand identity, with a sharper logo and bold visual system. The media mix stretches across out-of-home, digital, audio, influencer and social – ensuring Ferrell’s antics reach Australians wherever they shop or scroll.
Behind the scenes
Developed with PayPal’s global agency network Publicis Groupe, the ad aligns with the global platform launched earlier this year. And while the tone is playful, the commercial message is clear: Pay in 4 means no hidden costs, and every transaction is backed by PayPal Buyer Protection.
For PayPal, landing Ferrell is both a branding coup and a strategic play to cut through a crowded BNPL market.
And for audiences, it’s a reminder that even when you’re paying bills…
