Last updated: 11 June 2026
The man in the latest Trivago advert is Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund manager.
Klopp became Trivago’s global brand ambassador in October 2024. He now appears in the hotel-search company’s international television ads and online videos.
However, many viewers are searching for Tim Williams. The American actor became famous as the original North American Trivago Guy after appearing in the company’s earlier commercials.
Both men remain closely linked with the brand. The answer depends on which advert you have seen.
Who Is in the Current Trivago Advert?
Jürgen Klopp is the man appearing in Trivago’s newer global campaigns.
Trivago announced the partnership on 23 October 2024. The company said Klopp would become the face of its next AI-powered marketing campaign.
Klopp appears as himself rather than playing a fictional character. His relaxed delivery suits Trivago’s simple message: travellers should compare hotel prices before booking.
The first campaign used a master advert recorded in English. Trivago then used AI technology to create local versions for different languages and markets.
The phased rollout began in the United States and Canada before expanding to further countries.
The partnership remains active in 2026. In its Q1 2026 prepared remarks, Trivago said it had produced new television spots featuring Klopp ahead of the summer travel season.
Klopp also appears in another major 2026 campaign. He features beside Erling Haaland in the latest Budweiser commercial.
Why Did Trivago Choose Klopp?
Trivago selected Klopp after testing several possible ambassadors.
The company said his authentic, positive and credible personality connected strongly with its audience. The partnership was arranged by SPORTFIVE in collaboration with Project MJK.
Klopp gives the brand recognition beyond football. He managed Borussia Dortmund before joining Liverpool in 2015. During his nine years at Liverpool, he won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
His informal speaking style also works well in advertising. Klopp can appear in television commercials, social-media content and online videos without needing a complicated script.
The partnership helps Trivago:
- Reach travellers across several countries
- Connect with football fans
- Build trust around hotel-search choices
- Create local versions of its ads
- Generate press coverage beyond travel publications
- Improve brand recognition
Trivago CEO Johannes Thomas said Klopp’s personality aligned with the company’s values and supported its long-term brand growth plans.
Who Was the Original Trivago Guy?
Before Klopp joined the campaign, Tim Williams was the best-known face of Trivago advertising in North America.
Williams is an American actor from Houston, Texas. According to his official biography, his relationship with Trivago began when the Germany-based company hired him as a voiceover artist.
Trivago later asked him to appear on screen.
The first US television spot featuring Williams aired in 2012. His commercials were deliberately simple. He wore casual clothes, spoke directly to the camera and explained how viewers could compare hotel prices across booking websites.
His laid-back appearance became a talking point. Viewers discussed his open-collar shirts, unshaven look and lack of a belt. Memes, articles and social-media posts followed.
Williams became an unexpected advertising celebrity. For many people, he remains the original Trivago Guy.
His success offers a useful comparison with other memorable commercial characters. The same long-term familiarity helped turn the AT&T Girl into a recognisable advertising figure.
Did Klopp Replace Tim Williams?
Klopp did not directly replace Williams in an unchanged role.
Trivago updated its advertising in stages.
Older Tim Williams ads returned to television for a limited test in 2023. The company then moved in a different direction.
Skift reported that Trivago began running AI-infused commercials featuring another actor in late 2023. The technology made it possible for the actor to appear to speak in different languages.
Klopp joined later as the face of a new global campaign.
That distinction matters. Williams represents an earlier North American campaign. Klopp represents Trivago’s newer international strategy.
Older videos still circulate online. As a result, viewers may encounter both men when searching for Trivago ads.
Trivago Advertising Timeline
| Year | Campaign development |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Tim Williams records a US voiceover and later appears on screen |
| 2013–2019 | Williams becomes widely recognised through North American commercials |
| 2023 | Older Williams ads return for a limited television test |
| Late 2023 | Trivago introduces AI-powered advertising with another actor |
| October 2024 | Jürgen Klopp becomes global brand ambassador |
| Late 2024 | Klopp campaign rollout begins in the US and Canada |
| 2025 | Trivago reports strong results from its AI-powered marketing |
| 2026 | New television spots featuring Klopp are produced for the summer travel season |
What Else Has Tim Williams Done?
Tim Williams is an actor and musician, not simply an advertising presenter.
He lived and worked in Germany for many years. His acting credits include German television roles and appearances in films such as Valkyrie, Ninja Assassin, The Apparition and Labyrinth of Lies.
However, his Trivago commercials remain his most widely recognised work.
Williams also released a country album called Magnolia City. The project reflects his connection to Houston and his interest in country music.
That recognisable-personality strategy is common in advertising. Other examples include Dominic West in the Nationwide advert and Zach Braff and Donald Faison in T-Mobile commercials.
What Does Trivago Do?
Trivago is a hotel and accommodation search platform founded in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2005.
Its websites and apps help travellers compare prices across hundreds of booking sites and millions of accommodation listings.
Users can search for hotels, apartments and holiday rentals. They can also review information such as:
- Prices
- Room availability
- Photos
- Maps
- Reviews
- Location details
- Booking options
Trivago usually sends users to a booking partner or advertiser to complete the reservation and payment.
The company says it operates more than 50 localised websites in over 30 languages and has a presence in 190 countries.
Trivago has also been updating its search features. In May 2026, the company said its product conversion rate had increased by 58% since the first quarter of 2023.
Its recent product work includes AI Smart Search, preference settings, a richer map experience and AI-generated badges highlighting hotel features such as location, breakfast and family friendliness.
Why the Campaign Matters
The change from Tim Williams to Jürgen Klopp shows how advertising strategy can evolve without erasing earlier brand recognition.
Williams worked because he did not look like a typical polished spokesperson. His informal style made a straightforward hotel-comparison message memorable.
Klopp works for a different reason. Viewers already know him. Trivago gains instant recognition and can adapt his ads for different markets using AI localisation.
The company is not simply changing the person in front of the camera. It is pairing a recognisable ambassador with a wider update to its hotel-search platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is that really Jürgen Klopp in the Trivago advert?
Yes. Jürgen Klopp became Trivago’s global brand ambassador in October 2024 and remains part of its advertising strategy in 2026.
Who was the original Trivago Guy?
Tim Williams was the original North American Trivago Guy. His first US television advert aired in 2012.
Is Tim Williams German?
No. Tim Williams is American and comes from Houston, Texas. However, he lived and worked in Germany for many years.
Is Trivago a booking website?
Trivago is mainly a hotel-search and price-comparison platform. It usually sends users to a booking partner or advertiser to complete the reservation.
Why do people still search for Tim Williams?
Williams became closely associated with the brand through a long-running series of commercials. His casual style made the ads memorable.
Jürgen Klopp is the man appearing in Trivago’s latest global advertising campaigns.
However, Tim Williams remains the original US Trivago Guy. Klopp gives the company a familiar international face, while Williams remains a major part of its advertising history.
About the Author
Gavan Corry is a marketing journalist and publisher of TheMarketingBlog. He writes about advertising campaigns, brand strategy and the actors who become closely associated with major commercials.