A Wren Says

The Polymarket ad had a model posing against a wall, as text popped up on the screen. A rotating list of questions. Leaving the view with a question:

Then later, an ad with Timothee Chalamet in a dentist chair, saying Kalshi over and over, hoping that the dentist will understand his muffled syllables this time.

Two brands, two intentionally unhelpful ads.

After seeing the commercials, I was left with nothing about the companies beyond the names. Luckily, I knew enough about what Polymarket and Kalshi to not go down a search rabbithole, but that won’t be true for other viewers. Others might turn from their screen and enter into their search bar, “What’s Polymarket?”

I think it’s interesting that two of the most talked about prediction markets are essentially using the same advertising strategy. Instead of leaning into education or a call to action, they are settling on pure awareness. They just want you to know their name. But is that enough? Is it enough for people to know your name? If I know what to call you, but not who you are, is that really awareness?