Digital Marketing Video Ads Examples to Learn From

Video ads are an essential part of digital marketing. Studies show that 91% of consumers want more video content from brands. Also, video ads are particularly effective at grabbing users' attention, with some research indicating that they can capture a user's attention in as little as 8 seconds. So, if you're looking to start making commercial videos, watching some examples is the best place to begin. This article will showcase several examples of digital marketing video ads to help you learn how to make a commercial video that fits your goals. 

Moonb's educational video production services can help you achieve your digital marketing goals by creating informative video ads that engage your audience. 

21 Digital Marketing Video Ads Examples to Learn From

1. Animated Advertising Videos by Moonb  

Moonb specializes in animated video marketing. Their team of senior motion designers, video editors, illustrators, and creative directors create animated advertising videos to help businesses better define their product offerings and relate to the audience in a much better way. 

2. The Web of Fries by Taco Bell  

In this 90-second faux movie trailer, a regular guy (played by movie star Josh Duhamel) stumbles into a dangerous conspiracy. A global conglomerate of French fry makers don’t want anyone else to sell fries, including Taco Bell’s mouth-watering new nacho fries. And once he starts asking questions, it quickly becomes too late.

Our mild-mannered hero is soon going up against “Big Burger” – all to hilarious effect. The ad was a spectacular hit with viewers who couldn’t get enough of the ad’s funny thriller clichés. They also couldn’t get enough of those cheesy fries. Taco Bell’s nacho fries were one of the most successful food launches in history, with 53 million sold in the first five weeks. 

3. Perspective by Apple

This sleek and cerebral video ad opens with a quote about saluting those who have always “seen things differently,” a take on the historic Apple motto “Think different.” However, we only understand the quote when the right angle comes into perspective. The video goes on to illustrate its theme with dazzling feats of perspective. 

Each time the camera pans around the white lo,ft we only understand what the quote says when we arrive at the right angle to view it. Since it debuted in 2014, the ad has continued to dazzle. More than 4.4 million people have viewed this video advert on YouTube alone. 

4. Dumb Ways to Die by Metro Trains  

If you’ve ever been tempted to take your helmet off in outer space or eat an entire tube of super glue, this is one PSA you don’t want to miss! In this award-winning ad produced by Metro Trains in Melbourne, Australia, many adorable animated blobs meet their doom in increasingly bizarre ways. We finally reach the moral of our story when the last three blobs are killed due to unsafe behavior near trains. 

In PSA terms, this video ad was something of a blockbuster. The video took home five grand prizes at the Cannes Lions Festival and has received over 312 million views. Most importantly, this video advertisement has been credited with reducing the number of accidents on Metro trains by 20%. Try getting that tune out of your head.

5. The Sculptor by Peugeot 

Called one of the best car adverts of all time, this video shows the extreme lengths one man will go for a Peugeot car. Spoiler alert: It involves an elephant! The fast-paced 40-second video commercial opens with a young Indian man who sees a sporty Peugeot 206 and falls in love at first sight. He then jumps into his old beat-up car and smashes it against a wall. 

Bemused onlookers watch him hit his vehicle in a rather dazzling variety of ways (including having an elephant sit on it). When finally finished, he has ingeniously sculpted his old clunker into a Peugeot-shaped car. 

6. Write the Future by Nike  

This sweeping sports epic takes us worldwide with some of the greatest footballers of all time, including Cristiano Ronaldo. Produced for the 2010 World Cup, “Write the Future” spans over 3 minutes (on the long-ish side for video ads). In each sequence of this video commercial, we see a moment determining how each player will write themselves into history. 

The final culmination is the unveiling of a colossal statue of Ronaldo that would give the Statue of Liberty a run for the money. History was made in the video department, too. In one week, more than 7.8 million people watched this video – breaking all previous records for the most views of a video ad gone viral. 

7. Skillfinity  

In this comedic video ad, we meet an accomplished little stick figure named John. He can play the piano and write books in multiple languages, all because of what he’s learned on Skillfinity.io! We discover that John has picked up a rather dazzling list of skills from the service. 

Yet the quirky voiceover wisely undercuts the stick figure smarty pants in a fun way that keeps the ad from taking itself too seriously or even becoming dull. Who wouldn’t want to learn from Skillfinity in such a fun way? 

8. BuyMyVitara by Eugene Romanovsky  

When special effects pro Eugene Romanovsky put his 1996 Suzuki Vitara up for sale, he made what some have modestly called “The Greatest Used Car Advertisement In History.” In the video, his Suzuki Vitara speeds around dinosaurs from Jurassic Park and zooms around with Mad Max amidst dunes. But this car will not be stopped. 

The Suzuki then plunges into the ocean to swim with sharks, even to the moon! While we’re not sure if this beloved 1996 Suzuki is still on the road, this tribute video lives forever. More than 6 million people have watched this video advertisement.

9. Unmasking a Killer by New York Presbyterian  

While the title may sound more like an actual crime episode, the star of this dramatic two-minute ad is the cutting-edge immunotherapy treatments being developed at New York-Presbyterian Hospital to beat cancer. 

The bold black-and-red animation in this video tells the story of the body’s T-cells, which protect us from cancer until they don’t. Immunotherapy works by turning these T-cells back on and helping the body fight cancer. First aired during Super Bowl 50, the ad went on to win two Clio Health Awards.

10. Real Fires  

This classic ‘80s video ad opens on a roaring fire in the fireplace while “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” plays sweetly in the background. Soon a dog saunters into the fireplace scene. He’s quickly joined by a cat, who inexplicably gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek – instead of taking a swipe at him! Even more bizarre, a tiny white mouse joins them. 

The mouse gets a peck on the cheek from the cat too, instead of being gobbled up in one bite! Just goes to show, a real fire is so romantic even cats and dogs (and mice) can get along with one blazing in the background.

11. Check This by Google  

This video, set to a kicky rap beat, shows just how much fun it can be to use a Google spreadsheet. The demo quickly moves us through all the cool things we can do with the Google program. 

The video was part of a series of ads created for Google’s G Suite featuring their products being used to the beat of entertaining music. Another video in the series showed someone creating a presentation to the A-Team theme song, and having a blast doing it. Who knew work could be so much fun? 

12. The Worst Song in the World by Monoprix  

Why would someone suffer through the “Worst Song in the World”? The heroine of this video advertisement is walking down the street when a truly awful song comes on. If we’re to believe the song's lyrics, it is the “Worst Song in the World.” 

The song only seems to get worse as it goes. Our poor heroine only gets increasingly frustrated, yet she keeps listening. We don’t learn why she suffered through the miserable music until the big payoff at the end. The on-screen copy reads, “Having your hands free changes everything… get your groceries delivered.” This hilarious video racked up 16 million views in 2 weeks and more than 25,000 people listened to the music video for the “Worst Song in the World” song featured in the ad.

13. Listen by NO MORE  

What starts as a 911 call quickly turns into a possible prank call – then is revealed to be a real 911 call from an abused woman terrified her husband is overhearing her conversation. If the operator didn’t listen to the caller, he may have hung up on her and she might not have gotten the help she needed from police. 

The point of this video advertisement is that you have to listen really listen. It’s hard to imagine a more effective way to learn such an essential lesson than by watching this video. This exceptional ad aired during the Super Bowl on February 1, 2015. The Washington Post called the PSA the most influential ad of the game. Since 2015, it’s garnered more than 10 million views.

14. Gulp by Nokia  

Gulp is a short film that billed itself as “the world’s largest stop-motion animation shot on a Nokia N8” when it premiered. Using a record-breaking 11,000 sq. ft. set, this video commercial was shot in South Wales with a Nokia N8 camera. 

The story begins with a fisherman on his boat hitting the high seas, as fishermen do after catching the big one. He gets eaten by an even bigger one! Luckily, he escapes with the help of a bomb… oh just watch it yourself to see! This is a delightful little video ad showing the huge possibilities when filming with a Nokia camera. Nokia scored more than 1.5 million views for its brand since the ad debuted in 2011.

15. Lamp by IKEA  

Directed by Hollywood hotshot Spike Jonze of Being John Malkovich fame, this much-praised ad took home a Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival Film Grand Prix. It all begins ominously on a dark and stormy evening. We see a woman pick up an old lamp from a table and take it to the curb. 

Somber music tells us this is going to be emotional and thought-provoking not! After we see the new lamp replace the old one sitting in the rain, the tone changes. A man comes onto the screen with a sharp rebuke for the viewer. He tells the audience that it’s crazy to feel bad for the old lamp. The new one is much better!

16. Sepsis by Viven Health  

This Emmy-award-winning video ad, “Betrayed By Your Friend,” shows both the heartwarming relationship between a boy and his dog and the terrifying way the dog can instantly turn on the boy and attack him just like sepsis, an all-too-common disease in which the immune system turns on itself and attacks the body. 

Sometimes with deadly consequences. This animated production is a beautifully drawn example of the advertising maxim “Show, don’t tell.” What might have been difficult to explain in medical terms is easily understood in this video, as are ways to help prevent it, like washing your hands.

17. The Unique Connection by Pandora  

Much of the appeal of Pandora jewelry is the ability to create something unique with its charms. This video advertisement celebrates the uniqueness of all women with an emotionally charged experiment. In the video, six women are put in a lineup. Then, their blindfolded children have to identify them. 

Watching the looks on the mom’s faces immediately shows who belongs to whom. When the child finally identifies their mother solely based on touch (while still blindfolded), the moment shows the incredible connection between a mother and her child. Viewers have been dazzled ever since the video debuted in 2015. To date, it has garnered more than 19.5 million views!

18. Send it App to Cash by Western Union  

The great thing about this video is that it focuses on benefits and doesn’t get bogged down in features. From the moment the button on the Western Union app is pushed, money springs into action! 

We see a fast-moving coin blaze through a yellow sky landscape down to the depths of a yellow ocean. By the end of this video commercial, we’re excited to start using a fantastic, new way to send money. The yellow graphics indeed tell us it’s Western Union.

19. Your Music, Your World by Spotify  

This is a beautiful ad that merges live action with animated screen recording. Instead of focusing solely on the product, the campaign showcases how Spotify becomes an integral part of the user’s life, shaping their daily experiences. We all know that music informs how we feel and interact with the world. 

This video does a great job of illustrating that idea. Through a combination of live-action scenes and screenflow, the video metaphorically illustrates how Spotify helps build the user’s world, capturing the positive impact of music on their mood and daily routine. The campaign effectively sells the idea of a fulfilling and enjoyable experience rather than just promoting the product.

20. Cycling Experiences by Airbnb  

Sometimes, a video is just way too cool to look away. The playful graphics of this Airbnb video are so cool you almost can’t stop watching it. You certainly want to see what happens next! Playing with colors and forms, the video created an experience that was so much fun that it made you want to try one of Airbnb’s many cycling experiences in real life. 

Shorter versions of this video double as a series of gifs Airbnb used to illustrate a press release. This is an excellent example of how you can unexpectedly reuse a video to bring your brand to life.

21. Gravity by Casper  

The one-minute Gravity video begins with a refresher on gravity à la Sir Isaac Newton (i.e., the guy gets hit on the head with an apple). The kicky little science mini-course expands to include all the ways Caspar is an excellent mattress beyond its formidable ability to help you deal with gravity. The super-creative mix of animation and live-action keeps you guessing what will happen next and, we’d say, more engaged.

Related Reading

• How Much is a 30-second Commercial
• How Long is the Average Commercial
• Financial Services Advertising
• How to Make an Advertising Video
• Mobile Video Advertising 

How Moonb Helps With Making Advertising Videos

Moonb helps with advertising videos by simplifying video production and making it seamless and stress-free. Whether you're looking to create:

• An attention-grabbing ad
• An explainer video
• A branded animation

We bring your vision to life, focusing on storytelling, motion graphics, and high-quality production. 

Flexible Contracts to Meet Your Needs

What sets Moonb apart is our flexible, contract-free model that makes professional video production accessible without the hassle of managing freelancers or an in-house team.  Our streamlined approach integrates directly with your workflow through:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams

We keep everything organized and ensure smooth communication. We align your goals with weekly strategy calls and refine each project as needed. 

Engaging Videos Tailored to Your Needs

From the initial concept to the final edit, we ensure that your message is clear, engaging, and visually compelling. Whether it’s sleek corporate branding or a fun, energetic ad, we tailor the style and pacing to match your brand personality.

Our team of experts specializes in animation and motion graphics, crafting custom visuals that enhance your message and keep viewers engaged. 

Quick Turnarounds and Flexible Plans

We also understand that marketing moves fast. That’s why we offer quick turnarounds and the flexibility to make last-minute changes, whether updating a voiceover, tweaking a transition, or swapping out a scene for a new campaign. With our subscription-based service, you get high-quality video production without the unpredictable costs of traditional agencies. 

Try Before You Buy

If you're ready to take your video marketing to the next level, Moonb offers a 3-day free trial so you can experience firsthand how we transform ideas into impactful advertising videos.

How Exactly Do Video Ads Work?

Video ads are not just flashy visuals with audio. They have a clear purpose to grab attention and encourage viewers to act. Every step, from selecting the right platform to placing ads in high-engagement zones, influences how well an ad performs. 

‍Here’s how video ads work in digital marketing: 

1. Targeting the Right Audience

Ads are shown based on user behavior, interests, and demographics. Whether it’s YouTube, Instagram, or an in-app story, the goal is to match the right ad to the right person. 

2. Using Programmatic Algorithms

Have you heard of programmatic advertising? It’s an AI-driven process that buys and places ads in real-time, ensuring brands get the best ad placements at the lowest cost. 

3. Choosing the Best Platform

Each platform has its own unique advertising model: YouTube offers in-stream, bumper, and skippable ads. Facebook and Instagram offer stories, reels, and carousel video ads. Apps offer picture-in-picture (PiP) ads and interactive stories for seamless engagement. 

4. Delivering a High-Impact Experience

The best ads don’t feel like ads! They feel like part of the experience. That’s why in-app video ads inside stories and PiP mode are becoming game-changers. Instead of waiting for users to engage, these ads blend naturally into their browsing experience, making them more engaging and less intrusive. 

5. Tracking and Optimization

Every click, watch time, and interaction is measured. A/B testing and AI-powered analytics help brands refine their messaging, targeting, and creative elements for better results. 

Why In-App Video Ads Matter More Than Ever?

Traditional ads rely on users clicking away from what they’re doing. But what if the ad itself became an interactive experience inside the app? That’s precisely what shoppable stories and PiP ads do. 

They keep users engaged while driving instant actions like sign-ups and purchases. Instead of competing for attention, brands can seamlessly integrate video ads into the user journey, making it effortless for audiences to interact, engage, and convert. 

Moonb: Streamlined Corporate Video Production with Flexible Solutions

Moonb is a video marketing agency that offers corporate video services. We provide seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
•  MS Teams 

Weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to traditional video agencies, freelancers, and in-house production teams. 

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. 

Start a 3-day free trial with our corporate video services to take your content to the next level.

Related Reading

• How Long Can Youtube Ads Be
• Health Product Advertisements
• Automotive Video Advertising
• eCommerce Video Ads
• Contextual Video Advertising
• Storytelling Ads

Benefits of Using Videos for Digital Marketing

‍

Video advertising is excellent at capturing viewer attention, especially on social media platforms, because high-quality video content engages multiple senses. Video is more likely to stop people from scrolling through their social media feeds than a static image. Social media algorithms know this and use it to their advantage. 

Many sites, including Facebook and Instagram, push video content more than standard images. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, even says the platform is “no longer just a square photo-sharing app.”  

Boost Brand Awareness with Video Ads  

Brands can use different ad formats to curate their image across multiple channels. Whether it's a short video on social media or a more comprehensive YouTube ad, the sky's the limit with how creative your video content can be. This also increases the chances of finding a marketing combination that appeals to your target audience.   

Boost Conversions and Sales with Video Ads  

Did you know that 85% of the global population now owns a mobile device? Since everyone can access a smartphone, video optimized for mobile views has become essential to any video ad campaign. 

Screen Time says we spend over three hours on our phones daily and reportedly spend over $349 billion through our smartphones yearly, making mobile video ads one of the best ways to capture markets and build an audience.  

Build Emotional Connections with Effective Storytelling  

Video marketing is an excellent storytelling format. It allows you to convey complex messages in an emotionally engaging way, especially if your audience sees someone relatable talking about the challenges they're facing. This emotional connection adds to long-term customer loyalty and helps you create a die-hard fanbase.  

The Versatility of Video Ads  

The adaptability of video advertising formats, from banner to out-stream and display advertising, allows for a tailored advertising strategy. Video ads can be optimized for different platforms, demographics, and mobile apps. This matters because the correct ad format can impact ad revenue.

7 Best Tips For Creating Incredible Video Ads

1. Start with the Audience, Not the Brand  

People don’t care about brands. They care about what solves their problem, entertains them, or adds value to their lives. Understanding your audience’s pain points, interests, and behaviors is the first step in effective video advertising.  

2. Hook Them in the First 3 Seconds  

Attention spans are shorter than ever. If your ad doesn’t grab attention instantly, it’s getting skipped. Use bold visuals, surprising openings, or a compelling question to stop the scroll. 

‍Example: “Ever wondered why 90% of people fail at [X]? Here’s why…”  

3. Deliver the Message Fast  

People don’t wait for a big reveal. Get to the point quickly. Whether it’s a product feature, an offer, or a story, make sure the core message lands within the first 5 seconds.  

4. Optimize for Sound-Off Viewing  

More than 80% of social media videos are watched without sound. If your ad relies on voiceovers alone, it’s losing impact. Use captions, subtitles, and on-screen text to ensure the message is evident even with the volume off.  

5. Make It Actionable  

A great video ad isn’t just about storytelling, it’s also about driving action. Use strong CTAs like: 

• “Shop Now” for product ads. 
• “Try for Free” for services. 
• “Swipe Up” for in-app conversions.  

6. Leverage Interactive Elements  

Static ads are a thing of the past. In-app video ads using PiP mode, shoppable stories, and interactive overlays turn passive viewers into active participants. Instead of just watching, users can tap, explore, and purchase without leaving the app.  

7. Ensure Quality Across Devices  

Your audience isn’t watching on just one screen. Make sure your ad looks crisp on mobile, desktop, and tablets. Test for different resolutions, aspect ratios, and playback speeds to avoid losing potential customers due to poor quality.

Start a 3-day Free Trial to Take Your Content to the Next Level with Our Educational Video Production Service

Moonb is a video marketing agency that offers corporate video services. We provide seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
•  MS Teams 

Weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to traditional video agencies, freelancers, and in-house production teams. 

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. 

Start a 3-day free trial with our educational video production services to take your content to the next level.

Related Reading

• Best Commercial Ads
• Instagram Video Ads Examples
• TV Commercial Production Companies
• Animated Advertisements
• Youtube Ads Agency
• TikTok Marketing Agencies
• Instagram Advertising Agencies

‍