Salesforce Pays Matthew McConaughey $10 Million Despite Layoffs

What’s going on:  

Despite cutting 8,000 workers this year, Salesforce still invested heavily in the star power of Matthew McConaughey — committing to a hefty $10 million annual salary for the actor to serve as its “creative adviser and TV pitchman.” 

Why it matters:  

Last year, Matthew McConaughey suited up as an astronaut and took off in a hot-air balloon for Salesforce’s Super Bowl ad, in which the company invested $5 million to air the commercial. This significant contract may be the result of Salesforce’s dedication to building its profile and visibility in recent years, according to Business Insider.  

Although most customers have not personally interacted with Salesforce’s software package, the company has become a well-known brand in the Silicon Valley, thanks to their astute marketing strategy of collaborating with top influencers. 

How it’ll impact the future:  

The Hollywood star, McConaughey, and tech-savvy musician, will.i.am, have reportedly attended some of Salesforce’s top-level strategy meetings, demonstrating their involvement in the industry. 

Salesforce’s approach to marketing is an expensive one, but it might be having the right impact.  

The way in which tech companies spend on marketing can vastly impact the success of their company, but some may be questioning if it was the right decision for Salesforce to lay of 8,000 workers in 2023 while retaining Matthew McConaughey.