In a climate where artificial intelligence actors are stirring controversy in Hollywood, Ryan Reynolds has taken a unique approach to highlight authenticity in his latest marketing effort. On Wednesday, Reynolds introduced a new Mint Mobile ad featuring the real Natalie Tilly Norwood, responding directly to concerns around AI-generated performers. The campaign promotes affordable home broadband while drawing a line between digital fakes and genuine people.
Ad Uses Real Individual to Emphasize Genuine Value
The Mint Mobile ad plays off the ongoing discussion about AI in entertainment by showcasing a real-life person named Tilly Norwood, rather than a digital creation. Reynolds, known for his roles in films like Deadpool and his involvement in the entertainment industry’s inner workings, uses the contrast to underscore the trustworthy value of Mint Mobile’s new service. As the ad stresses,
“AI can fake a lot of things,”
but it “can’t fake unbeatable value,” reinforcing the brand’s message.
Script Highlights Real Personhood to Promote Mint Mobile’s Internet Service
In the commercial, Reynolds candidly questions Norwood’s authenticity with lines like, “You are real, right?” to which she confidently responds, “Yep.” He further probes,
“Not an AI-generated combination of actors?”
Norwood’s playful answer—
“I’m a combination of my parents”
—adds a human touch. The ad closes with a voiceover noting the offer is exclusively for “carbon-based organisms,” highlighting the service’s reality-based appeal.
Production Details and Service Offerings
The advertising spot was created by Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort, with assurances that no generative AI technologies were used in its making. This extends to the fast-paced legal voiceover, performed by voice actor Amanda Cook. The new home internet service, dubbed MINTernet, functions on T-Mobile’s expansive 5G network and offers introductory pricing at $30 per month for the first three months, applicable to those already subscribed to a Mint Mobile phone plan.
Pricing Structure and Availability of MINTernet
After the initial promotional period, subscribers can maintain the $30 monthly fee by committing to a 12-month plan with an upfront payment of $360. Alternatively, customers may renew using a three-month plan at $40 monthly, requiring a payment of $120 upfront with a Mint voice plan or $150 without one. This structured pricing aims to provide flexible yet affordable internet access under the Mint Mobile brand.
Significance of Featuring a Real Customer in the Campaign
By casting a real individual named Tilly Norwood in the ad, Reynolds not only addresses the controversy surrounding AI-generated performers but also emphasizes Mint Mobile’s dedication to genuine human connection and value. This approach serves to reassure customers about the authenticity of the service and the company behind it while navigating evolving technology concerns within the entertainment industry.
