Video advertisements are specifically designed to influence and persuade viewers. Placed strategically in social media posts, commercials, and websites, the power of video advertising surrounds consumers at every turn. Video marketing ads are crafted with a certain goal in mind: convincing the consumer to purchase a specific product or service. However, techniques such as humor, playing into a person’s emotions, musical scores, and cinematography make all video marketing ads unique. We’ve identified the top 10 advertisements of our time to show you exactly why we love them.
I Will What I Want- Under Armour
Popularly known for their athletic training gear, Under Armour produced a series of commercials with professional ballerina Misty Copeland. Rising out of poverty and adversity in the performing arts community, Copeland has defied the odds by becoming the first African American female principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre. The commercial shows the ballerina alone in a studio room practicing as she narrates the rejection letters formerly received. Copeland continues to grace the screen with her effortless turns and leaps after reciting why she was “too old to be considered”. By highlighting a highly influential performer and athlete, Under Armour displays the risen under dog and why we all aim to be her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY0cdXr_1MA
This is Wholesome- Honey Maid
From Teddy Grahams to Graham crackers, Honey Maid crafts snacks that allow for memories such as s’more making to be had and remembered. Honing in on their “wholesome” tagline, the brand created a modern yet instant classic commercial. The commercial resurrects the notion of why being different is okay through demonstrating true American values like unifying differences despite common adversity. At the end of the day, all you need is love and Honey Maid snacks.
If We Made It – Heineken Newcastle Brown Ale
Highlighting one of America’s most watched events, Newcastle Brown Ale completely shuts down how advertising is done. Commercial breaks during the National Football League Super Bowl are easily the most expensive 30 seconds any company will ever spend for advertisements. Newcastle Brown Ale, acknowledges the ridiculousness in this capitalist investment, evening mentioning their inability to mention the “Super Bowl”. This commercial presents a series of “would haves” if the company obtained the necessary monetary donations feasible for a coveted spot. Heineken shows consumers the impact it would have made, while still influencing beer drinkers nationwide.
Live Test Series- Volvo
Volvo certainly understood the power of cute little girls and tough trucks debuting the Live Test Series. The Swedish car company produced a edgy car commercial introducing their new “toughest truck” by putting it in the hands of a little girl, literally. Remote control powered and GoPro shot, the two minute commercial is filmed from the little girl’s point of view as the truck endures crashes and smashes on a test track, and it’s pretty awesome. Volvo designed a commercial that was as fun to watch as it was for the remote controller.
Always #LikeAGirl Girl Emojis – Always
Always has spearheaded projects that emphasize the importance of empowering girls. Their global movement Like a Girl truly highlights the double standards young girls face. Incorporating the popular emojis that are sent by millions of young girls and teenagers on a daily basis brings an extremely modern take on how women are still only drawn in pink, getting their nails done, and placed in the profession of being a bride. Even in the 21st century through our most modern form of communication are girls not pictured playing sports, being adventurous, or having a career. Why? One girl summed it up for us: “that’s just how things are”. Always never fails to lift the curtain to society’s flaws in shaping the next generation of women.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3BjUvjOUMc
Thank you Mom – P&G
In the midst of excitement and national pride of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the spotlight is placed on world-class athletes with inspirational stories. They train both mentally and physically for an event of a lifetime. But, we tend to forget that these super humans share one thing in common with us mere mortals: we love our moms. P&G produced a unique commercial, taking anecdotes from several Olympians, and making them relatable to viewers. The comfort of a mother’s words during natural disasters, car accidents, and scary plane rides is universally soothing. P&G delivers a powerful message: at the end of the day, whether we win gold or not, our mothers will always be on our side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ3k6BFX2uw
Real Beauty -Dove
The company behind wholesome and quality bath time products, Dove ventured out into sensitive territory when it debuted the Real Beauty campaign and commercials. The pressure placed on the female community to attain a certain body type or resemble certain public figures takes a toll on their self esteem and self perception. In a special experiment, Dove hired a forensic artist asking women to describe the features on their face, as the two parties were separated by a curtain. A forensic artist would take these descriptions to create a sketch of the woman. Then, the women were to get to know a stranger, as the next step would entail them describing each other’s features to the artist. Lifting the veil and shedding the harsh self criticism women have for themselves, Dove ensures us all that “you’re more beautiful than you think.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE
Be Better- Reebok
The nature of working out delves deeper than the superficial notion of looking good. Reebok presents their Be Better commercial in which normal, everyday people push their bodies to breaking points. Though exercise conditions our muscles, the overall effects train both body and soul. From flipping tires to battling the elements to callused hands, Reebok familiarizes the struggle working out can be. For every reason you have to sweat it out, there is always one against it. The athletic company’s enduring commercial reminds us that though the grind requires sweat and grit, in the end, it makes us better overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDb-7DY3CjU
Peaceful Co-existence- Android
The never-ending war between iPhones and Androids, Android, owned by Google, produced a different take on the dispute between the two smartphones. Featuring animals that originate from different habitats, the title coexistence is truly exemplified. The notion of differences not only surviving but thriving together in a mutual relationship embodies the actual correlation between the competitive phone companies. No words, no people, just the harmony of animals enjoying each others company. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnVuqfXohxc
Hyundai- “A Message to Space”
In a day and age where living in space is a full time job, Hyundai challenges the efforts of their vehicles for an astronomical job. Home of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, young Stephanie from Houston, Texas expresses how much she misses her father, who lives and photographs from a satellite orbiting the Earth. By organizing “the largest tire track image”, Hyundai utilizes their Genesis vehicle, drivers and a lot of physics to display Stephanie’s message so large it’s visible from space! A truly heartwarming and out-of-this-world commercial, this video breaks a tire track record on Earth yet consoles a yearning heart.
What other video marketing ads have you had your eye on? Let us know in the comments below!
