Perplexity AI's Aravind Srinivas poses ‘Million Dollar Question’ instead of Super Bowl ad in marketing gamble—Details

Brands in the United States spend big dollars on Super Bowl advertisements, as the event draws massive live and TV audiences. It has even featured half-time performances by superstars such as Beyonce.

However, breaking from tradition, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas has decided to take a marketing gamble. Instead of running a direct promotion campaign during the hyped period, he is launching a direct promotion campaign. 

For comparison, AI competitor OpenAI will be making its Super Bowl ad debut this year.

What is ‘Perplexity’s Million Dollar Question’?

The campaign, called ‘Perplexity’s Million Dollar Question’, is a promotional push to encourage downloads and usage of the start-up's AI chatbot. 

Here's how it works, who is eligible and how to participate.

What Did Perplexity AI's Aravind Srinivas Say?

Posting on LinkedIn, Srinivas wrote: “There will be no Perplexity Super Bowl ad. Instead, there's a Super Bowl contest.”

“You install the app (not needed if you have the app already), and ask at least five questions on the app during the game, and we will pick one winner to give $1mm. Ask like a millionaire,” he added. 

Srinivas also linked the official website for the details.

Reactions on LinkedIn were positive, with one user commenting: “A specific time frame, a massive audience, and a life-changing incentive? Genius. Perplexity wont' just get downloads - it’ll embed itself as a new way for people to think and search for information in the moment. This is the cleverest case study in AI adoption Ive seen so far. I can’t wait to see the results [sic]!”

Another user commented: “Excellent idea.. why to give money to media for just viewership but let it be a real time lotto.. only addition you could do is, referral route, where if person invites in his/her network and collect the points, there should be some kind of advantage like tie-breaker..[sic].”

'Perplexity's Million Dollar Question' — How to Participate

• The contest is open to US citizens aged 18 years and above.
• As per the campaign website, the Sweepstakes will begin at 3 pm Pacific Time on February 9, 2025, and end at the conclusion of the football game between Kansas City and Philadelphia— around 7.30 pm PT the same day.
• To participate, you must be a current Perplexity user or activate a new Perplexity user account.
• Download the Perplexity mobile app and after signing in click on the link to confirm your participation in the Sweepstakes.
• After you have signed up to participate, ask five questions using the Perplexity app during the contest window. Each question counts as one entry (maximum five (5) per user).
• The winner will be via random draw from among eligible entries. The winner will be chosen within one hour of the end of the Sweepstakes Period.

What Are The Prizes For the Perplexity Campaign?

According to the website, one grand prize will be awarded to the first individual selected from all eligible entries of the Sweepstakes.

The Grand Prize is a cash prize of $1,000,000.