PayPal Enlists Will Ferrell to Boost Awareness of Enhanced Pay-Later Offering

 

PayPal Taps Will Ferrell to Launch Revamped Pay-Later Features and $10M Giveaway

PayPal is giving its "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) program a major refresh — and it's bringing actor and comedian Will Ferrell along for the ride.

In an announcement Thursday (April 10), the company unveiled a new ad campaign starring Ferrell, designed to promote the expanded Pay Later offering. Set to launch this month, the campaign will showcase Ferrell’s signature humor as he navigates a lighthearted shopping spree, demonstrating the many ways customers can use PayPal to pay immediately or over time.

“Will’s signature humor will be on display as he embarks on a shopping journey to show all the ways you can pay with PayPal now and over time, with Pay Later available at merchants that accept PayPal,” the company said in a press release.

The campaign coincides with a suite of feature upgrades aimed at streamlining the PayPal checkout experience. Updates include biometric login capabilities, new tap-to-pay options via Mastercard, and improved cashback rewards for users.

PayPal is also kicking off its largest-ever promotion: The Great PayPal Checkout sweepstakes. Over the next 100 days, the company will randomly cover purchases of up to $100 for 1,000 PayPal users, totaling $10 million in giveaways.

“Payments are no longer an afterthought — they’re a central driver in how consumers shop,” said Geoff Seeley, PayPal’s chief marketing officer. “With millions of consumers selecting PayPal every day, we’re committed to delivering an experience that’s flexible, rewarding, and connected to the things people love.”

The push comes at a time when BNPL is evolving beyond its early image as a solution for cash-strapped shoppers. New research from PYMNTS Intelligence reveals that over 61% of Americans earning more than $100,000 a year use BNPL for everything from high-end fashion to dental work and luxury travel.

While many high earners use BNPL for convenience or perks, the data also shows that 13.5% rely on the option out of necessity — a reminder of the growing role alternative credit solutions play across income levels.

As BNPL continues to go mainstream, with major players like Klarna partnering with luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, PayPal’s latest moves suggest it's aiming to stay competitive — and keep its services top-of-mind, with a little help from Hollywood.