The Best Video Ads Examples and What You Can Learn from Them

Video advertising has become one of the most effective ways for B2B and B2C marketers alike to connect with their target audience. With a video’s ability to evoke emotions, deliver a message clearly, and maintain engagement, it’s no wonder video ads are becoming a staple in digital marketing strategies. However, creating an effective video ad that delivers results isn’t as simple as hitting “record”. It takes thoughtful strategy, understanding of consumer behavior, and creativity. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best video ad examples from real brands, discuss the psychology behind effective video advertising, and give B2B marketers actionable insights on how to design video ads that will engage and convert. 

What is Video Advertising and Some Examples 

At its core, video advertising is the use of moving images and sound to promote a product, service, or brand. It’s a way to grab attention, tell a compelling story, and drive action in just a few seconds. Today, video ads are used across platforms, social media, websites, YouTube, and more. For B2B marketers, video ads can offer a highly targeted approach to engage decision-makers and stakeholders in a more dynamic and personalized manner.

• Monday.com – “Work without Limits”: This B2B ad succeeds because it clearly demonstrates the value of their product, how Monday.com helps teams collaborate and organize tasks more efficiently. The ad speaks directly to business needs, providing tangible solutions through storytelling. 
   
• Nike – “Dream Crazy”: This iconic B2C ad taps into deep emotional triggers. It uses powerful storytelling and social proof to inspire viewers, making them feel motivated to act. Though this is more B2C, B2B marketers can draw inspiration from how it taps into emotion to forge strong connections. 
   
• Apple – “The Underdogs”: Apple’s ad for its latest products shows how creative professionals (in this case, underdogs) use Apple’s technology to overcome obstacles. It shows not just the product but how it empowers users to succeed, a key insight for B2B marketers aiming to convey value in their ads.

Do We Really See 4,000 Ads a Day? 

The claim that we see 4,000 ads a day has been widely debated. While that number may seem high, it’s important to recognize that in the B2B space, decision-makers are less likely to be overwhelmed by traditional ads than by information overload in general. In fact, studies show that professionals spend much of their day consuming targeted content via emails, websites, and social media platforms. 

For B2B marketers, this means that while the sheer volume of ads may be overwhelming for consumers, it’s crucial that video ads are highly relevant, personalized, and strategically placed. If your video ads aren’t speaking directly to your audience’s pain points and needs, they will just become another data point in the 4,000 ads they see, and be ignored. 

B2B marketers must make sure their video ads cut through the noise by being strategic, data-driven, and value-oriented. This requires personalized targeting, clear call-to-actions (CTAs), and engaging visuals that speak directly to business challenges. 

What is the Most Famous Video Ad? 

When it comes to famous video ads, the answer can be subjective. Different ads resonate with different audiences depending on their interests, values, and needs. However, one video ad that has redefined video advertising is Apple’s “Typography” ad for the iPhone. 

Released in 2007, this iconic video was more than just a product demo, it changed the approach to video editing and visual storytelling. With a clean, minimalist design and punchy typography, Apple managed to showcase the iPhone’s features in a way that felt modern, engaging, and personal. The use of typography and minimalist graphics has since been used in countless ad campaigns, making it one of the most influential ads in video marketing history. 

For B2B marketers, Apple’s Typography video proves that sometimes simplicity can speak louder than complexity. It’s not about overloading your ad with too much information. It’s about delivering your message in a way that’s clear, clean, and memorable. 

READ: Marketer’s Ultimate Guide to B2B Display Advertising

What are the Types of Video Ads? 

Not all video ads are created equal. Different types of video ads serve different purposes, and understanding these can help B2B marketers create more effective campaigns. Here are a few types:

• Explainer Videos: These videos break down complex business solutions into easy-to-understand content. B2B marketers can use these to highlight the value and benefits of their products or services. 
   
• Customer Testimonial Videos: These feature satisfied customers or clients sharing their success stories. They are incredibly effective in building trust in B2B marketing. 
   
• Product Demos: Product demos showcase your product in action. B2B marketers can use these to demonstrate how their solution directly addresses a pain point in a step-by-step, relatable manner. 
   
• Brand Videos: Brand videos focus on building a strong emotional connection with the audience. For B2B brands, these can be used to communicate values and vision, building a connection with potential clients. 
   
• Retargeting Videos: These ads target users who have interacted with your brand but didn’t convert. Retargeting ads remind decision-makers of your offer, encouraging them to come back and complete the action. 

How to Do Video Advertisements?

Creating an effective video ad isn’t just about shooting a nice commercial. It involves strategic planning and understanding your audience at every stage of the funnel. 

Here’s a step-by-step process for crafting a high-converting video ad:

• Brainstorming: Start by identifying the goal of your video ad. Are you aiming for brand awareness or conversion? Define your target audience, the problem your product solves, and the value you offer. 
   
• Targeting: Use B2B data to segment your audience based on firmographics, demographics, and behavior. Tailor your video ad to speak directly to this group’s needs. 
   
• Create Video Assets: Once your target audience and message are clear, start developing video assets. Keep the CTA clear and action-oriented, such as “Schedule a demo,” or “Get a free trial.” Utilize effective visuals and emotional appeal to make an impact. 
   
• Multi-Platform Distribution: Use cross-channel distribution to ensure your video reaches your target audience. This can be across social media, email campaigns, or even paid media like YouTube or LinkedIn ads. 
   
• Optimization: Test your video’s performance regularly. A/B test different CTAs, titles, and formats to determine what works best for your B2B audience. Iterate and optimize as you go.

How Important are Corporate Videos for B2B Marketing? 

Corporate videos aren’t just a trend, they’re a critical component of a B2B marketing strategy. In an era where trust and credibility are paramount for decision-makers, a well-crafted corporate video can do more than just showcase your product, it can establish your brand’s authority and build strong relationships with potential clients. 

A corporate video serves as an effective storytelling tool that humanizes your brand. It allows prospects to see the people behind the company, understand your mission, and gain insight into the values that drive your organization. This transparency is crucial for B2B decision-makers, who often rely on more than just product features; they’re looking for a partner who aligns with their values and can solve their unique business challenges. 

One of the most important benefits of corporate videos is their ability to boost credibility. Prospects are more likely to engage with brands that demonstrate their expertise through authentic storytelling, rather than just delivering a product pitch. Corporate videos offer a personal connection, showing that your company understands the challenges of your target audience and is capable of addressing them. This relatability can help your company stand out in a crowded market and can be the deciding factor for a prospect choosing between you and a competitor. 

READ: Data-Driven Guide to Effective B2B Video Marketing

From a lead generation perspective, corporate videos can significantly enhance your conversion rates. Video content is far more likely to be shared, making it a powerful tool for organic lead generation. B2B buyers often conduct in-depth research before making purchasing decisions. By providing video content that outlines your product’s real-world applications, showcases client success stories, or details your company’s unique selling propositions, you’re giving potential leads a reason to keep coming back, sharing your message with colleagues, and ultimately reaching out for more. 

A good corporate video doesn’t just hit on your company’s strengths but does so in an engaging, authentic way. The key to success is delivering content that is informative, well-produced, and focused on delivering value. Great corporate videos should strike a balance between showcasing your expertise and speaking directly to the challenges your target audience faces. Focus on problem-solving, present your value proposition clearly, and provide a call to action that nudges viewers to take the next step in their buying journey. 

How Do You Measure Video Ads Impact?

Measuring the impact of video ads goes far beyond simply tracking views. For B2B marketers, the ultimate goal is to understand how video ads influence conversions, build brand awareness, and drive qualified leads through the sales funnel. Key metrics play a significant role in evaluating success, but it’s important to tailor your measurement strategy based on platform and ad objectives. 

• View-Through Rate (VTR): This metric tells you how many viewers watched your video ad from start to finish. A high view-through rate indicates that your video has successfully captured the viewer’s attention. For B2B marketers, this metric is especially valuable because it reflects engagement. 
   
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The CTR measures how many people clicked on your call-to-action (CTA) after watching your video. This is a vital metric for understanding whether your video ad is not just being seen but is also compelling viewers to take the next step in their journey. A high CTR suggests that your message and CTA are resonating well with your target audience. 
   
• Conversion Rate: The ultimate measure of a video ad’s effectiveness is its ability to drive conversions. Whether it’s completing a form, signing up for a demo, or making a purchase, the conversion rate helps you determine if the video is delivering real business results. B2B marketers can track lead conversions to understand how well video content is driving sales. 
   
• Engagement and Social Sharing: One of the strongest indicators of success for video ads is engagement: comments, likes, shares, and other forms of interaction. Social proof plays a huge role in decision-making, especially for B2B brands. If your video ad resonates with your audience and encourages social sharing, it’s likely to extend its reach and attract new leads. The engagement rate reflects how compelling your video content is to your audience.

Platform-Specific Metrics and Choosing the Right Platform

While the metrics mentioned above are valuable across any platform, the importance of specific metrics varies depending on where your video ads are shown. The platforms you choose will determine which metrics matter the most.

• YouTube: As one of the largest video platforms, YouTube is ideal for brand awareness campaigns and content discovery. You should focus on view-through rates and engagement metrics here. The more your video is shared and commented on, the wider your reach will be. YouTube’s TrueView ads also provide a great opportunity for cost-efficiency, as you only pay when the viewer watches a significant portion of your video. 
   
• LinkedIn: As the go-to platform for B2B marketers, LinkedIn’s targeting capabilities are unparalleled. When running video ads on LinkedIn, CTR, conversion rate, and lead generation metrics should be prioritized. You can use LinkedIn’s Lead Gen Forms integrated with video ads to streamline lead collection and track conversions directly from the platform. 
   
• Facebook and Instagram: These platforms are great for retargeting and nurturing leads. For these social platforms, focus on engagement (likes, comments, shares) and CTR, especially for ads that aim to drive traffic to your landing page or website. Instagram Stories and Facebook Carousel Ads are highly interactive formats, ideal for engagement-driven campaigns. 
   
• Twitter: Twitter’s video ads are designed for quick attention and immediacy. Here, engagement rate (clicks, retweets, replies) is key. For B2B brands, Twitter’s real-time nature means your video ads must capitalize on trending topics or industry news to make a strong impact quickly. 

When exploring social media video ads examples, you’ll notice that the best video ads often share a few key traits: compelling storytelling, sharp visuals, and a clear call to action that resonates with viewers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Looking back, some of the best video ads of all time have set the gold standard by blending emotional appeal with memorable branding, think Apple’s minimalist product showcases or Nike’s athlete-driven narratives. Yet in today’s fast‑paced feed culture, it’s the captivating best short video ads that truly shine, packing punchy messages into 15 seconds or less to capture attention and drive engagement before users scroll on. 

Conclusion: Creating Video Ads That Resonate

When done right, video ads are an incredibly powerful tool for B2B marketers. They not only help build brand awareness, but they also guide prospects through the decision-making process, building trust and showing exactly how your product or service solves their problems. 

The key is to keep it simple, personalize the message, and strategically place your ad where your target audience is most likely to engage. By learning from brands like Monday.com, Nike, and Apple, and avoiding the pitfalls of failed campaigns, you can create video ads that resonate with decision-makers and drive results. 

Video ads are an investment in engagement, trust, and conversion, if done with the right psychology, design, and targeting. So, take the insights shared in this article and apply them to your next video ad campaign, it’s time to make your brand impossible to ignore.