5 Reasons Your Advertising Campaigns Need Video Animation (+ Examples)

May 13, 2021 8:00:38 AM

In today's crowded digital landscape, getting your brand to stand out is harder than ever. 

With attention spans shrinking and competition ramping up, you need more than just catchy slogans or striking images to make a lasting impression. 

That’s where animated video production comes in—offering a creative, eye-catching solution to elevate your advertising campaigns and captivate your audience.

Whether you're promoting a new product or boosting brand awareness, advertising using animated commercials is the secret ingredient that can take your strategy to the next level.

Let's dive into why animated video should be your go-to for making a powerful impact with your ads.

  1. Understanding Video Advertising
  2. Why Use Videos for Advertising Campaigns?
  3. Why Use Animation For Advertising Videos?
  4. Types of Animation Advertising
  5. Incorporating Animation into Advertising Campaigns: 5 Powerful Reasons
    1. Reason #1: Increases Brand Awareness
    2. Reason #2: Improves Engagement Rates
    3. Reason #3: Enhances Video Ad Retention
    4. Reason #4: Boosts Ad Conversion Rates
    5. Reason #5: Reduces Advertising Costs
  6. Animation Advertising in Action: 5 Impactful Case Studies
    1. Android: Be Together
    2. Honda
    3. Wimbledon
    4. Slack
    5. Airbnb: Wall and Chain
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. How Long Should an Animated Video Ad Be?
    2. Which Animation Style is Best for Product Advertisements?
    3. Can Animated Ads Work for All Industries?

Understanding Video Advertising

Image Source: Dribble

Video ads have become an essential part of any modern marketing strategy. 

From social media videos playing their part in formats like mobile video advertising to more immersive experiences in the form of YouTube video ads and the like on popular streaming platforms, videos offer a dynamic way to engage with your audience. 

Videos are more than just moving pictures; they combine sound, visuals, and storytelling to create a memorable experience that resonates with viewers long after they’ve clicked away.

As consumers increasingly prefer video content, brands that fail to incorporate video into their advertising campaigns risk being left behind. But not just any video will do—animated explainer video production, in particular, can breathe new life into your marketing efforts.

Why Use Videos for Advertising Campaigns?

Image Source: Creatopy

Animated commercial videos have proven time and again to be one of the most effective ways to reach potential customers. Here’s why:

  1. Engagement: Video content is inherently more engaging than static images or text. It grabs attention quickly and keeps people watching.
  2. Retention: People are more likely to remember information delivered through video compared to other formats.
  3. Versatility: Video ads can be shared across multiple platforms, from social media to websites, expanding your reach.
  4. Impact: With the right visuals, sound, and messaging, video advertising can stir emotions and drive action like no other medium.

But when it comes to standing out and making an impact, commercial ads take things up a notch.

Why Use Animation For Advertising Videos?

Image Source: Animoto

So, why should you consider animated video production over traditional live-action videos? The answer lies in flexibility and creativity. 

With animated video, you're not limited by the constraints of reality—anything you can imagine, you can bring to life on the screen.

Animation allows you to simplify complex ideas, communicate your message clearly, and entertain your audience all at once. 

Whether it's a 2D explainer video or an eye-popping 3D product animation, animated video gives you the freedom to tell your brand story in ways that live-action simply can’t match.

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Types of Animation Advertising

Before diving into why your advertising campaigns need animated video production, it’s helpful to know some of the types of animation you can use:

  1. 2D Animation: Classic and simple, 2D animation is perfect for explainer videos, character-driven storytelling, or ads with a playful tone. To learn more about 2D animation and their significance in video marketing, check our detailed blog here.
  2. 3D Animation: For more complex, visually stunning ads, 3D animation video production offers depth, realism, and an immersive experience. To see 3D animation in action across video marketing campaigns, we recommend checking out blog here.
  3. Motion Graphics: Great for illustrating data, charts, or concepts in a visually appealing way, motion graphics add energy to otherwise static information. As for how motion graphics work their magic, here's our blog to show you the bigger picture.
  4. Stop Motion: A quirky, tactile animation style that adds charm and uniqueness to your ads. To learn more, check out our blog on the best stop-motion animation videos next.
  5. Whiteboard Animation: Popular for explainer videos, whiteboard animations are engaging and great for simplifying complex topics.
  6. Mixed Media: Mixed media stands out with its ability to explain information-dense topics in depth without losing the audience’s attention or interest.

Incorporating Animation into Advertising Campaigns: 5 Powerful Reasons

Image Source: Freepik

Let’s break down five compelling reasons why animated advertising should be a cornerstone of your next campaign.

Reason #1: Increases Brand Awareness

Animated video production is a brilliant way to boost brand awareness.

The vibrant visuals and memorable storytelling elements of animation make it easier for viewers to recall your brand long after they’ve watched the ad.

With animation, you can craft unique characters, custom visuals, and even create entire brand worlds that stick in people’s minds.

Reason #2: Improves Engagement Rates

It’s no secret that people love videos. But animated videos have an extra edge when it comes to viewer engagement.

The incredible versatility of animation allows you to create content that’s dynamic, fast-paced, and visually interesting—elements that are key to maintaining attention in a world full of distractions.

Animated video ads can also be easily optimized for different platforms, allowing you to experiment with styles that resonate with specific audiences.

Whether it’s a colorful motion graphic on Instagram or a sleek 3D ad on YouTube, animation helps you tailor content to drive higher engagement rates.

Reason #3: Enhances Video Ad Retention

Viewers are more likely to remember ads that entertain, educate, or surprise them—and animation excels in all three areas.

With the right video animation style, you can simplify complex information into easy-to-digest visuals, making it more likely that viewers will retain the key message of your ad.

For instance, imagine a 3D animated explainer video showcasing how your product works—by combining engaging visuals with clear narration, you leave a lasting impression that makes it easier for customers to recall and consider your brand when they’re ready to buy.

Reason #4: Boosts Ad Conversion Rates

Animation has a unique ability to convert viewers into customers. By guiding your audience through a carefully crafted narrative or illustrating a product’s benefits in a visually compelling way, animated videos can effectively drive viewers to take action—whether that’s clicking a link, signing up, or making a purchase.

For example, explainer videos often use 2D animation or motion graphics to break down a product’s features, showing potential customers exactly why they need it.

The clear, engaging visuals combined with a strong video call-to-action (CTA) can lead to significantly higher conversion rates than static ads.

Reason #5: Reduces Advertising Costs

Producing live-action video ads can be costly—think actors, locations, equipment, and post-production.

Animation advertising, on the other hand, offers a more cost-effective solution. While we admit animated video isn’t exactly cheap, you have more freedom and complete control over the production process, and there are fewer logistical challenges. And often, this results in lower expenses.

Even with more complex 3D animation, the long-term value of animated video production often outweighs the upfront costs. Plus, animated videos are easier to update or modify as needed, making them a flexible asset for future campaigns.

Animation Advertising in Action: 5 Impactful Case Studies

1. Android: Be Together

 

We absolutely love this adorable animated ad for Android.

It’s a story based on the simple rock-paper-scissors game, of all things!

The characters are beautifully 3D animated, and the story delights and surprises at every turn– until the reveal at the end that our differences shouldn’t just be tolerated, but celebrated. 

This is what we mean when we talk about the power of storytelling for business.

2. Honda

 

So Honda has been hard at work making diesel engines better.

Now stop for a moment.

Ask yourself: how exactly would you talk about this in a way that’s interesting, or even entertaining?

Especially to the layperson who’s not particularly interested in that big noisy thing that makes trucks run and belches out smelly fumes?

The answer, of course, is that you use the power of storytelling in your explainer videos.

A compelling hook to grab the viewer’s attention (“Can ‘hate’ be good?”), drawing you into a cleverly written script.

Pair that with really beautiful, imaginative visuals, and it all comes together, like the parts of a well-oiled machine.

Or rather, a well-oiled machine that doesn’t pollute as much or make as much noise. 

A little imagination goes a long way!

3. Wimbledon

 

This stunning mixed-media animated ad for Wimbledon captures everything we love about animated storytelling.

It’s deceptively simple but says so much in such a short time. 

It starts out in simple sketchy black and white character animation, then fills with color, and the styles change with the eras, getting more complex and smooth, moving from 2D to 3D–all while depicting one single continuous tennis match.

The heroes of the sport appear and transform one to another, matches go from small in-person spectators to international televised broadcasts.

Even the ball changes color from white to yellow.

There’s no voiceover or dialog because the animation does all the heavy lifting.

This is a great example of what we mean when we keep saying that the best animated storytelling is greater than the sum of its parts.

If the debate between 2D and 3D animation is too overwhelming, you can check out our detailed comparison next: “2D vs. 3D Animation: 10-Point Tabular Difference”

4. Slack

 

Speaking of wildly imaginative, animation for business doesn’t get much better than this absolutely gorgeous 3D animated video ad for Slack.

We’re drawn into a fantastic world of strange cute beings living in the clouds, but with a familiar and relatable problem: traffic jams.

Then, one day, one of those beings suddenly has an idea from out of the blue on how to fix it.

So he broadcasts it to his friends, and soon everyone’s working together to make this idea become reality, from experimenting to testing, all leading to a glorious public unveiling.

And it’s all possible because of seamless communication across the various teams. 

This is just another example of how storytelling can really supercharge your commercial video. It’s the secret ingredient that makes all the difference!

5. Airbnb: Wall and Chain

 

The best animated commercial videos take you far beyond merely selling a product or bragging about their brand.

They tell a real human story that touches you on a heart level, without coming off as cliché or crassly exploiting sentimentality. 

AirBnB is a brand that takes this seriously, striving to be authentic.

So they used a true story in their video script from one of their own users.

All to underscore the message that they care about their customer testimonials all about people, connections and relationships. 

To really bring the story home, they got artistic and used the beauty of animation, rife with simple but powerful visual metaphors and symbols. 

If you’re not moved by the end of this beautiful character animation video, we recommend you check your pulse!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Long Should an Animated Video Ad Be?

Ideally, keep your animated video ads short and sweet—between 15 and 60 seconds. This ensures you deliver your message efficiently while maintaining viewer attention.

2. Which Animation Style is Best for Product Advertisements?

It depends on your product and audience. For tech or software products, motion graphics are great for breaking down complex processes. For consumer goods, 2D or 3D animation can add personality and depth. To learn more, check out next: "30 Best Product Advertisement Video Examples"

3. Can Animated Ads Work for All Industries?

Absolutely! Animation is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit any industry—from fashion and retail to healthcare and finance.

Conclusion: The Future of Animation Advertising

As advertising continues to evolve, the use of animated video production is only going to grow. 

With its ability to boost brand awareness, increase engagement, and deliver higher conversion rates, animation has proven itself as a powerful tool for modern video marketing campaigns. 

Whether you’re looking to simplify complex concepts, create a memorable brand story, or cut advertising costs, animation offers unmatched flexibility and creativity.

Ready to bring your brand to life? Incorporating animation into your advertising strategy might just be the key to taking your campaigns to the next level.

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