Most video ads not only get skipped—they actively waste marketing budgets. We’ve worked with dozens of marketing directors who initially came to us frustrated after spending $50,000+ on beautiful video content that generated zero measurable results.
At Vidico, after analyzing performance data from 600+ product launches that generated 1.4 billion views, we’ve identified clear patterns in what separates high-converting video ads from those that waste budget. We’ve helped teams at Amazon, Spotify, and Uber create video campaigns that actually convert—by leading with story, backed by strategy.
In this guide, we’ll analyze the most successful video ads campaign, explore the specific creative decisions that made them successful, and provide a framework for developing high-converting video content that maximizes your marketing investment.
Content
Top 15 Creative Video Commercials Worth Checking
1. Vidico x Toggl
Average Pricing: Starts at $5000
Quick Description: Vidico [1] masterfully crafted this engaging and humorous video ad for Toggl Track, highlighting the pitfalls of traditional time-tracking methods—labeled as “inaccurate,” “inefficient,” and “insanely slow,” like sand slipping through an hourglass.
The video ad showcases the app as the most intuitive solution for saving time, managing teams, and planning more effectively.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Humorous and relatable presentation
- Clear demonstration of product benefits
- Strong emphasis on user-friendliness
Results: This campaign increased Toggl’s conversion rate by 32% and reduced their cost per acquisition by 41% compared to their previous campaigns. By focusing on pain points that resonated with their target audience, we created a message that drove both engagement and action.
Want to see more of our work? Explore our portfolio featuring projects for leading tech brands.
2. Vidico x Smart Nora
Average Pricing: Starts at $5000
Quick Description: Vidico partnered with Smart Nora to launch a major awareness campaign distributed through YouTube Pre-Roll Ads, Facebook, and Instagram. The video highlights Smart Nora’s brand image with a creative twist.
We crafted a whimsical, Dr. Seuss-inspired narrative set to bespoke, dreamy background music that vividly illustrates the disruptive impact of snoring on sleep.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- High-quality cinematic video production
- Focus on snoring as an antagonist
- Relatable to a wide audience
Strategic Takeaway: When addressing a common problem, a distinctive creative approach can help your brand stand out from competitors addressing the same pain point. Our system enables you to test multiple creative directions to identify what resonates most with your audience.
Looking for creative strategies for 2025? Watch our short video on What You Need from a Creative Agency in 2025
3. Samsung
Quick Description: Samsung’s “Rear Window” video ad, crafted by the content creator at Dorian & Daniel, offers a unique spin on advertising that captures hearts with an unlikely hero: a city spider.
In a captivating story, the spider becomes enamored with a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, drawn to its camera that mirrors the spider’s own eyes.
The clever storyline in the ad entertains and subtly showcases Samsung’s Galaxy series’ advanced camera technology, making a compelling case for its competitive edge without a hard sell.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Emotional, engaging storyline
- Non-traditional marketing
- Memorable and distinctive approach
4. Volvo Trucks
Quick Description: Volvo Trucks’ iconic 2013 B2B ad features Jean-Claude Van Damme performing a breathtaking “Epic Split” between two moving trucks.
With minimal dialogue, the fun ad utilizes the serene sounds of Enya and Van Damme’s calm narration to advance the narrative, subtly emphasizing Volvo Trucks’ precision, stability, and confidence.
They remind viewers of the robust capabilities of Volvo’s engineering without relying on technical jargon.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Minimalist and effective use of dialogue
- Memorable and visually striking
- Long-lasting impact on B2B advertising
5. Volkswagen: “The Force”
Quick Description: In this charming advertisement from 401 Dixie Volkswagen, a child dressed as Darth Vader tries to use “The Force” to command a Volkswagen Passat with a little secret help from Dad.
This ad, celebrated for its simplicity and heartwarming twist, captures the imagination and brings a smile without a single line of dialogue.
The video cleverly leverages a beloved character to create a memorable moment that resonates with viewers, reinforcing the brand’s family-friendly image.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Heartwarming father-child interaction
- No dialogue needed
- An engaging and humorous twist
In our performance analysis of 850+ videos, we’ve found that ads creating an emotional connection first and introducing the product second consistently outperform those that lead with product features. This “delayed reveal” approach keeps viewers engaged longer and creates stronger brand association.
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6. Apotek
Quick Description: This innovative advertisement for a new hair product line surprised Swedish subway commuters. Positioned on train platforms, digital screens displayed images of models from the neck up, equipped with “ultra sonic sensors.”
As trains approached in the video, these sensors triggered the images, creating the illusion that the wind from the train was blowing the models’ hair.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Interactive digital display
- Eye-catching visual illusion
- Direct product demonstration in action
7. Old Spice: “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”
Quick Description: The iconic Old Spice ad, “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like,” created by Wieden & Kennedy, revitalized the brand with its witty and engaging approach.
Featuring the charismatic Isaiah Mustafa, the fun ad humorously suggests that using Old Spice body wash can elevate a man’s allure to that of a “romantic millionaire jet fighter pilot.”
The rapid-fire, seamless transitions from one fantastical scenario to another, such as magically turning tickets into diamonds, entertained and showcased the brand’s dynamic and humorous image.
This campaign was effectively integrated across multiple channels, particularly a social media platform, where the ad engaged directly with fans through personalized responses.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Humorous and charismatic spokesperson
- Quick, imaginative scenario changes
- Clever and memorable dialogue
When creating a brand personality shift, a distinctive character can help audiences instantly understand and remember your new positioning.
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8. Nestle Lean Cuisine
Quick Description: Lean Cuisine’s “WeighThis” campaign masterfully shifted the conversation from weight loss to body positivity.
Instead of focusing on losing weight, the campaign highlighted women’s diverse and personal achievements, such as “how much love I give my children.”
These statements were artistically displayed on boards and showcased on a public wall, transforming a video marketing strategy into a powerful public affirmation of individual worth.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Positive brand repositioning
- Strong emotional engagement
- Supportive and inclusive message
9. Procter & Gamble
Quick Description: Procter & Gamble’s Olympic commercial poignantly captures athletes’ and their parents’ emotional and supportive journeys, particularly their mothers’ guides.
This fast-paced video advertisement merges heart-wrenching montages of athletes experiencing falls and failures with uplifting moments of maternal encouragement.
Culminating in a victorious display of the athletes competing for Olympic gold, the commercial is set to Ludovico Einaudi’s stirring “Oltremare,” evoking deep emotional responses from viewers, regardless of their interest in the Winter Games.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Emotional portrayal of athletes’ journeys
- Highlights parental support
- Strong emotional appeal
Our performance data shows that brand-level storytelling that connects with universal human experiences consistently outperforms product-specific ads in terms of long-term brand-building metrics. This approach is particularly valuable for multi-product companies looking to build corporate brand equity.
Interested in our design system concept? Learn more about Vidico’s 10x Approach to creative production.
10. Chipotle: “Back to the Start”
Quick Description: “Back to the Start” is a compelling short film directed by Johnny Kelly. It narrates the journey of a farmer who transforms his traditional family farm into an industrial animal factory and then realizes the need for a more sustainable approach.
The film, commissioned by Chipotle, underscores the importance of a sustainable food system. The soundtrack features Willie Nelson’s haunting rendition of Coldplay’s “The Scientist,” adding profound emotion to the narrative.
The song in the ad is available for download on iTunes, with proceeds benefiting The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Strong environmental message
- Support for sustainable farming practices
- Fundraising for The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation
11. Apple: “1984”: Super Bowl
Quick Description: Apple’s iconic “1984” commercial, which debuted the Macintosh personal computer, is a landmark in advertising history.
Directed by Ridley Scott and conceptualized by Chiat/Day’s Steve Hayden, Brent Thomas, and Lee Clow, the video advertisement features a dystopian setting inspired by George Orwell’s novel 1984.
Anya Major stars as a rebellious heroine who disrupts a totalitarian broadcast, symbolizing Apple’s challenge to the conformist computing market. Premiering during Super Bowl XVIII, this video ad was a dramatic introduction to Apple’s innovative vision.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Revolutionary theme and storytelling
- Dramatic Super Bowl debut
- Symbolic challenge to industry norms
12. Honda: “The Cog”
Quick Description: I know you can’t take your eyes off this video ad. This engaging WebRidesTV commercial by Honda brilliantly showcases the Honda Accord through a captivating two-minute video that transforms car parts into a complex Rube Goldberg machine.
Each component interacts seamlessly, creating a chain reaction highlighting the precision and quality of Honda’s engineering.
The video not only demonstrates the Accord’s intricacies but also holds viewers’ attention from start to finish, emphasizing the vehicle’s innovative design and reliability.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- The ad showcases engineering precision- such power!
- Innovative product demonstration
- High viewer engagement
13. Cadbury: “Gorilla”
Quick Description: Cadbury’s 2007 commercial, famously featuring a gorilla, captures a mesmerizing and unexpected moment that quickly became iconic. The video ad uses a gorilla that sits in contemplation, and the tension builds with anticipation of what is to come.
Suddenly, the ad bursts into a passionate drum solo, perfectly synced to Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight.” This video ad captivates viewers by combining the unexpected—a gorilla feeling the music—with the universally familiar thrill of a beloved song.
The video ad makes use of a playful yet powerful approach to convey the joy and spontaneity associated with the business.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Iconic use of a gorilla character
- Emotional build-up to a dramatic climax
- Great expression of joy and energy
Ready to level up your creative strategy? Join our On-Demand Masterclass on How to Scale B2B Creative
14. Sony Bravia: “Balls”
Quick Description: Sony Bravia’s “Balls” commercial is a stunning visual feast often hailed as one of the greatest advertisements ever. In this memorable spot, thousands of colorful bouncing balls cascade down the streets of San Francisco, creating a mesmerizing flow of color and movement.
The resonating background song enhances the visual impact, turning the commercial into a near-perfect blend of sound and imagery. The fast-paced video showcases the vibrant display capabilities of Sony Bravia TVs but also captivates viewers, making them forget everything else for its two-and-a-half-minute duration.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Vivid display of colorful bouncing balls
- Beautiful synchronization with music
- A captivating and immersive experience
15. Taco Bell – Web of Fries
Quick Description: In Taco Bell’s engaging commercial, Josh Duhamel plays a family man who casually wonders why Taco Bell doesn’t serve fries.
His seemingly innocent question spirals into a thrilling narrative as he uncovers a “Big Fries” conspiracy that threatens everything he values.
The fun ad cleverly blends dark humor and suspense to entertain viewers and grab attention while satirizing the fast-food industry’s competitive tactics.
It’s a playful exploration of how far one might go to keep a simple menu item like fries off the radar at the company.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- A humorous twist on a conspiracy thriller
- Engaging and cinematic storytelling
- Unique angle to introduce a new product
Need help planning your video strategy? Download our Free Video Marketing Plan to establish your approach and tracking framework.
What’s Creative Video Advertising?
Creative video advertising involves crafting engaging and innovative video content to promote products or services in a way that captivates and resonates with viewers. The best ads blend compelling storytelling, striking visuals, humor, and emotion to create memorable experiences.
By leveraging elements like unique voice narratives, story, artistic direction, and dynamic editing, video ads aim to leave a lasting impression, encourage viewer interaction, and drive consumer behavior in a saturated media landscape.
Through our systems-based approach, we’ve transformed creative advertising from a one-off production expense into a strategic marketing asset that compounds in value over time. By building modular video systems rather than isolated assets, we help tech brands maximize their creative investments while maintaining consistent quality at scale.
Looking for your next winning hook? Learn from our 100+ Winning Hooks collection. Comment “hook me up” to access this valuable resource.
How Does a Video Ad Work?
Marketers create video ads to boost brand visibility and engagement. The best video ads start with concept development, where brands brainstorm ideas aligned with their values and audience.
The production phase involves scripting, casting, shooting, sound, and editing. Once completed, the video is distributed across social media platforms and digital channels, tailored to the target audience of the companies.
Benefits of Creative Video Commercials in Social Media
- Increased Engagement: Visuals with impressive stories can capture and retain viewer attention more effectively than a text-based ad [2].
- Enhanced Brand Recall: Memorable elements in a video ad help audiences remember the brand and its message in a platform.
- Emotional Connection: The best video ads can evoke emotions [3], building a deeper connection between the brand and its customers using a media platform. It should have a great connection so they don’t skip the rest.
- Wider Reach: Videos are easily shared across social media and other platforms, extending the commercial’s reach to other clients and companies.
- Versatility: Videos can be adapted for various platforms, from TV to digital channels, maximizing the company’s exposure.
- Improved Conversion Rates: Engaging video ads can drive viewers toward desired actions, such as purchases or company sign-ups.
- Better ROI: Despite spending lots of money initially, the best video ads can offer a significant return on investment through increased sales and brand visibility.
- Storytelling: Better video ads allow brands to tell their stories dynamically, making them more compelling than other forms of advertising.
Let Vidico make your brand unforgettable and experience the power of our impressive video ads. Get started today with our VidiFit Quiz!
FAQs
Are creative ads more effective?
Ads are more creative and effective because they capture attention, engage emotions, and leave lasting impressions.
The first few seconds of the video ad are important, so the story should be remarkable so they don’t skip the rest.
For instance, YouTube, Instagram ads, and Facebook video ads [4] break through the noise of traditional advertising, making the video ad more likely for the message to resonate with customers and inspire action for the next generation.
Who makes creative ads?
Ads are typically made by advertising agencies or in-house marketing teams specializing in video services.
A video production company has a mix of creatives such as copywriters, art directors, designers, and videographers who collaborate to bring innovative advertising ideas to life.
What type of ads are most effective?
Ads that combine emotional appeal with clear, compelling calls to action tend to be most effective but could also vary depending on the marketing campaign objectives.
This includes personalized ads, story-driven content, and interactive ads that engage internet users and encourage participation in the business.
Key Takeaways
Remarkable video ads are a powerful marketing strategy, blending visual storytelling with emotional engagement to captivate audiences effectively.
By harnessing creativity, these ads enhance brand recall and foster a deeper connection between the company and its consumers.
They offer versatility across various media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, ensuring widespread reach and potentially high returns on investment.
Ready to transform your brand’s video marketing? Get started today with our VidiFit Quiz! You’ll receive a free personalized quote in less than 90 seconds.
References:
- https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/08/12/2497652/0/en/Video-Production-Company-Vidico-Launch-Rebrand-To-Offer-Their-Customers-Clarity-Precision-And-An-Even-Higher-Level-Of-Communication.html
- https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/14093
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-ways-create-branded-videos-evoke-emotion-buzzmasters
- https://influencermarketinghub.com/facebook-video-makers/
