How a 30-Second AI Commercial Won $500K | With Dave Clark

In this article and video, we are going to chat with Dave Clark to hear about how his AI Commercial ( that only took 4 hours to make) won $500k.

Dave Calrk is the CCO at Promise and a close friend of Curious Refuge. We sat down to hear from him and talk about why he entered the competition, as well as what inspired his super creative concept.

We also spend time talking about how AI is shaping the industry and the things that remain true.

How a 30-Second AI Commercial Won $500K | Video

Below is a video where we chat with Dave Clark to hear about his workflow for creating this epic AI Ad.

How a 30-Second AI Commercial Won $500K

Below is a breakdown of the questions we cover in the video. Enjoy!

Q: How did you first hear about this AI video competition?

Dave:
It was honestly pretty last-minute. The competition happened over a very short window, and I almost didn’t even know about it. A lot of these opportunities pop up quickly, so you have to stay plugged into the AI community and be ready to move fast when they do. The people who win are often the ones who act quickly.

Q: How long did it actually take you to create the commercial?

Dave:
The actual production process only took a few hours. I spent about two hours building the core idea and generating the content. The rest of the time was refining and making sure the storytelling and pacing worked. The key wasn’t just speed—it was having years of experience in advertising that allowed me to move quickly and make strong creative decisions.

This wasn’t just about using AI tools. It was about knowing how to communicate a message clearly and emotionally.

Q: How important is storytelling in AI advertising?

Dave:
It’s everything. The biggest mistake people make is focusing too much on visuals and not enough on the emotional arc. AI can generate amazing images and spectacles, but that doesn’t mean the ad will work.

The best ads still connect with people. They still take viewers on a journey. The technology has changed, but the fundamentals of storytelling haven’t. The people who succeed with AI will be the ones who combine creative vision with these new tools.

Q: Advertising has changed a lot in the last few years. How do you see AI shaping the future?

Dave:
We’re already seeing it. Many of the biggest campaigns today are using AI in some capacity. This is only going to accelerate.

What this means for professionals is that the barrier to entry is lower than ever. Small teams and individual creators can now compete with large agencies. But it also means the competition is higher. The people who stand out will be those who develop strong taste, storytelling, and strategy, not just technical skills.

Q: With new tools like Seedance and others emerging, how should creators think about the future of storytelling?

Dave:
We’re entering a world where spectacle becomes easy. Anyone can prompt something visually impressive. So the real value shifts to ideas, taste, and meaning.

The question becomes:
What do you want to say?
What emotional journey are you taking people on?
What makes your story different?

Technology will keep improving, but human insight will always matter.

Q: What advice would you give to creators who want to work with major brands?

Dave:
Focus on building a strong portfolio and sharing your work publicly. Opportunities often come from people discovering what you’ve made online.

Also, don’t wait for permission. Start creating. Enter competitions. Reach out to brands. The creators who win are the ones who take action consistently.

And finally, build relationships. This industry is still driven by trust and collaboration. AI tools help you move faster, but people still hire people.

Learn AI Advertising

Spending a few hours on a project and winning $500,000 might sound unbelievable, but it’s really the result of years of experience combined with the right moment and the right tools.

As AI continues to reshape filmmaking and advertising, the biggest opportunity lies in combining creativity, storytelling, and strategy. The future belongs to creators who can think deeply, move quickly, and communicate emotionally.

If you want to learn more about this approach, you can explore Dave’s AI Advertising course and start building the skills that will matter most in the next wave of creative work.

You can join the waitlist by filling out the form above, and check out the course here.

Good luck on all of your creative projects!