Companies used this weekend’s Super Bowl to make their own predictions about whether the future of our world will be virtual or based in reality.
Meta’s ad featured an animatronic dog and its friend, a monster, which have become physically separated but are able to reconnect through the metaverse with the company’s Quest 2 virtual reality headset.
On the other hand, software company Salesforce’s ad #TeamEarth featured Matthew McConaughey wearing an astronaut suit on a hot air balloon ride around the world, making the argument for improving the Earth rather than trying to escape it.
“[While] the others look to the metaverse and Mars, let’s stay here and restore ours,” the actor says, presumably taking a dig at companies like Meta and Tesla.
According to Sarah Franklin, CMO of Salesforce, the ad aims to focus on how we can make an impact on our society, communities, and small businesses.
This year may mark the first time parts of society have even heard of the metaverse, as the Super Bowl historically brings in hundreds of millions of viewers each year. Whether for it or against it, this digital universe is clearly becoming part of a wider discussion in today’s society.
In 2022, companies will be forced to address whether they wish to play part of the metaverse and its nuances, or focus on being #TeamEarth.
