For years, right-wing political commentator Ben Shapiro has learn out the usual 60-second host-read advert, plugging sponsors with the identical no-frills effectivity on his podcast.
However this 12 months, his viewers will hear one thing new: real-time solutions verifying claims due to AI search engine, Perplexity.
This isn’t your typical advert placement. As a substitute of a scripted endorsement, Shapiro will combine Perplexity into podcast The Ben Shapiro Present—hosted on The Day by day Wire, the conservative media outlet he co-founded in 2015—utilizing it mid-show to confirm claims, dig into cultural matters, and reinforce his signature mantra: information over emotions.
THE TAKEDOWN: AOC dropping to information in as we speak’s Takedown section powered by new search associate @perplexity_ai
Perplexity is obtainable on-line at https://t.co/K8swbPpRpd and on iOS, Android, and Mac. pic.twitter.com/uv0EyL9h9o
— The Ben Shapiro Present (@BenShapiroShow) March 7, 2025
The deal, structured as an annual partnership for 2025, marks Perplexity’s first native advert integration with a media outlet. Monetary particulars weren’t disclosed. However past the advert mechanics, the partnership alerts a broader cultural shift: Tech corporations, as soon as shy of aligning with right-wing personalities, are more and more embracing these platforms—reflecting a altering dynamic between Silicon Valley and political media.
Perplexity was among the many tech giants, together with Google and Meta, current at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. It was there that Perplexity’s chief enterprise officer Dmitry Shevelenko met Shapiro for the primary time, Shevelenko instructed ADWEEK.
“Ben very a lot prides himself on fearlessly pursuing the reality. This was only a good match,” Shevelenko stated.
This isn’t Perplexity’s first foray into promoting—beforehand, the AI search instrument appeared in a Sunday Evening Soccer advert that includes Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. Nonetheless, the startup—valued at $9 billion—is taking a unique method with its native advert cope with The Day by day Wire. Somewhat than counting on the normal sponsored advert format, Perplexity goals to combine extra seamlessly into content material, avoiding the standard simply one other advert really feel.
