What is a Cartoon Style Ad?
Cartoon style ads, or animated advertisements, have become a cornerstone of modern marketing. With advancements in animation technology, businesses can create engaging explainer videos that communicate messages more effectively than traditional static ads. These animated ads use dynamic visuals, characters, and storytelling to convey messages that are easy to understand, entertaining, and memorable. Cartoon-style advertisements often focus on simplifying complex concepts, which makes them appealing to a broader audience, regardless of age or background.
In an era where consumers are exposed to an overwhelming amount of content daily, standing out is more important than ever. This is where advertising cartoons come into play. They are fun, attention-grabbing, and often easier to relate to than standard product commercials. Whether you’re explaining how a service works or telling a brand story, a cartoon advertisement has the potential to engage and captivate your target audience, leaving a lasting impact.
Why You Should Invest in an Advertising Cartoon
The question isn’t just whether animated ads work – it’s why they work so well. Over the last decade, cartoon-style ads have proven to be an effective way to engage audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. Here’s why investing in an animated advertisement is a smart move for any business:
- Appeal to a Broad Audience
One of the major benefits of animated ads is their ability to reach diverse demographics. Whether you’re selling to children, parents, or business professionals, advertising cartoons can cater to a wide variety of audiences. For example, a simple animated explainer video can target both kids and adults, making it an ideal tool for brands seeking to expand their reach.
- Simplify Complex Ideas
Explaining complex products or services can be challenging, but animation makes it easier. A cartoon advertisement can break down intricate ideas into simple, digestible visuals, allowing viewers to grasp concepts quickly. For instance, fintech companies often use animated explainer videos to demystify complex financial products or services in ways that resonate with customers.
- Emotional Connection Through Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your audience emotionally. Cartoon-style ads can create engaging narratives that tug at the heartstrings, evoke laughter, or inspire action. The use of animated characters and relatable scenarios helps build emotional rapport, making the viewer more likely to remember the message and associate positive emotions with the brand.
- Boost Brand Recognition
Well-designed animated commercials are often instantly recognizable. Think of iconic animated characters like the Geico Gecko or the M&M’s characters. These ads not only entertain but also reinforce brand recognition. Over time, these cartoon-style ads become part of the cultural lexicon, helping brands remain top-of-mind for consumers.
- Versatility Across Channels
One of the key advantages of advertising cartoons is their versatility. They can be used across multiple platforms, from social media ads to television commercials to YouTube videos. Their adaptability allows businesses to reach consumers on various devices and platforms, ensuring that the marketing message is seen by as many people as possible.
- Cost-Effective in the Long Run
While the initial investment in creating an animated ad can be higher than a traditional live-action commercial, it can be more cost-effective in the long run. Animation doesn’t require actors, locations, or expensive equipment, and once the animation is created, it can be repurposed for different campaigns or platforms. This longevity makes animated ads a worthwhile investment for businesses seeking to maximize their ROI.
25 Best Cartoon Style Ads for Business You Need to See
The following is a list of 25 cartoon-style ads from businesses that have successfully leveraged animation to promote their brands, products, and services:
- Amazon Coins – Advertising Cartoon
Amazon Coins is a digital currency that allows users to buy apps, games, and in-app items. Their animated ad creatively illustrated how Amazon Coins works, making a potentially confusing concept accessible to a broad audience. The use of vibrant colours and fun characters helped break down the information in a way that was both educational and entertaining.
- Tortilla Land – Cartoon Style Ad
Tortilla Land’s explainer video highlights the freshness and quality of their tortillas, with an animated cast of characters bringing the product to life. The ad simplifies the tortilla-making process while making the viewer feel connected to the brand, thanks to its relatable animation.
- Eat Today, Feed Tomorrow – Chobani
Chobani’s animated ad highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability. Using heartwarming animation, it emphasizes how the company’s products not only nourish today’s consumers but also contribute to feeding future generations. The message resonates deeply with Chobani’s eco-conscious audience.
- Slack vs Email – Slack
Slack took a humorous approach with a cartoon-style ad that compared their product to traditional email, highlighting the inefficiencies of email communication. The playful animation and clever dialogue made a potentially dry topic engaging and memorable.
- Get House Loans – Bankwest
Bankwest uses animated explainer videos to demystify the process of getting a house loan. With engaging characters and simple visuals, the cartoon ad helps guide customers through the steps involved in securing a loan, making the process feel less intimidating.
- Rick & Morty + Adidas X Speedportal – Adidas
The collaboration between Adidas and the Rick & Morty franchise brought forth a wildly successful cartoon-style ad that fused popular culture with cutting-edge sportswear. The fun, animated ad not only piqued interest but also tapped into the fanbase of the show, driving both brand awareness and sales.
- mPOS Solutions – American Express
American Express used an animated explainer video to simplify the concept of mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) solutions. The ad used quirky animation to show how easy it is for small businesses to accept payments anywhere, making the technology feel accessible and user-friendly.
- Calm The Chaos – IMODIUM
IMODIUM’s cartoon-style ad used humour and relatable scenarios to depict the chaos of digestive distress. By personifying the product as a calming force in the face of chaotic stomach issues, the ad effectively connected with viewers while promoting the brand’s benefits.
- MedVector – Cartoon Style Ad
MedVector, a health-tech company, utilized an animated explainer video to demonstrate how their medical vector technology works. The clear visuals and engaging characters helped break down the complexities of the product in a way that was both informative and captivating.
- Superhero – Red Bull
Red Bull’s animated ad turned a regular person into a superhero, illustrating the energy and power consumers get from drinking Red Bull. The energetic animation style and adventurous storyline resonated with the brand’s target audience, reinforcing its image as an energizing and empowering drink.
- Build Your Credit – Self
Self’s cartoon advertisement used friendly animation to explain how users can build or improve their credit scores with the help of their service. The explainer video format made financial topics easy to digest, appealing to young professionals who are just starting to manage their credit.
- Green Initiatives – Acer
Acer’s cartoon-style ad highlights its sustainability efforts by showcasing eco-friendly products. The ad’s engaging characters and clever animation effectively communicate the company’s commitment to green tech, making it appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
- API for Business – Michelin
Michelin’s animated commercial explains how their API (Application Programming Interface) service can streamline business operations. The cartoon ad simplifies a complex technical service, making it accessible to a wider audience while still maintaining a professional tone.
- Live Music for Weddings – Silver Arrow Band
The Silver Arrow Band used a cartoon-style ad to showcase their live music services for weddings. The animation captured the joy and excitement of a wedding, effectively conveying how the band can elevate any event with their performances.
- Family Problems – Childline
Childline’s cartoon advertisement uses animation to tackle sensitive topics like child abuse and neglect. The ad uses relatable characters to show how children can turn to Childline for help, making it easier for kids to connect with the service and reach out when in need.
- Adulting Anthem – Heinz
Heinz’s animated commercial humorously tackles the struggles of adulthood, from managing a career to cooking meals. With fun, relatable characters, the ad highlights how Heinz products can make adult life easier and more enjoyable.
- 2X Cold Brews – Madrinas Coffee
Madrinas Coffee’s animated ad focuses on the power and flavour of their cold brew coffee. The vibrant, energetic animation captures the boldness of the product, making it appealing to coffee enthusiasts who crave both quality and excitement.
- Pretiis – Cartoon for Advertising
Pretiis, a cutting-edge tech company, uses a cartoon advertisement to explain how its platform can streamline business processes. The animated explainer video is a great example of how tech companies can use animation to simplify complex concepts.
- Language Learning is Hard – Duolingo
Duolingo’s cartoon ad uses humour and playful animation to highlight the challenges of learning a new language. The ad reinforces Duolingo’s reputation as a fun and effective language-learning tool.
- Security Tech Forum – Samsung
Samsung’s cartoon-style ad illustrates its security tech solutions in a futuristic, animated format. The explainer video approach helps demystify the technology and showcases its real-world applications in a simple, relatable way.
- Many, Many Thank You’s – Airbnb
Airbnb used a cartoon advertisement to express gratitude toward their users. The animation uses heartwarming characters and a lighthearted tone to convey a sense of community and appreciation.
- Chinese New Year Magic – Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola’s animated ad celebrates Chinese New Year with vibrant visuals and storytelling. The cartoon-style ad effectively captures the festive spirit of the occasion while reinforcing Coca-Cola’s brand image as a symbol of joy and unity.
- Andes Origen – Cartoon for Advertising
Andes Origen used an engaging cartoon-style ad to highlight their unique coffee offerings. The ad’s simple yet captivating animation helped position the brand as both approachable and high-quality.
- FIFA Women’s World Cup – Cartoon for Advertising
The animated commercial for the FIFA Women’s World Cup showcased the excitement of the event through dynamic visuals and humorous animation. The cartoon-style ad brought attention to the players, the teams, and the spirit of the competition.
- Why Does Starbucks Blend Coffee? – Advertising Cartoon
Starbucks’ cartoon advertisement creatively answers this question by taking viewers through a fun, educational journey on the science of coffee blending. The explainer video format makes the information easy to digest while keeping the viewer engaged.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cartoon Advertisements
1. Is it a good idea to use cartoons for advertising?
Absolutely! Cartoon advertisements have the power to connect emotionally, simplify complex messages, and grab attention. They are especially useful for businesses aiming to target a broad, diverse audience while keeping the content fun and engaging.
2. How much does it cost to make a cartoon-style ad?
The cost can vary based on the length, complexity, and style of the animation. Generally, creating a high-quality explainer video can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the production quality and studio you choose.
3. How long does it take to create a cartoon for advertising?
Creating a high-quality animated commercial typically takes anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the project’s complexity. This includes time for scriptwriting, storyboarding, animation, and revisions.
Wrapping Up: Why Cartoon Style Ads Are Essential for Your Business
Cartoon-style ads are no longer just for children’s cartoons or entertainment. In 2025, they have become an essential tool in a marketer’s arsenal, helping businesses communicate their messages in creative, memorable ways. Whether you’re creating an explainer video to break down complex services or simply looking to engage your audience through humour and vibrant visuals, advertising cartoons are a great option for any business.
The 25 best cartoon ads we’ve explored here show just how versatile and effective these ads can be. As technology advances and consumer attention spans decrease, animated advertisements will continue to evolve, offering businesses fresh and exciting ways to reach their target audiences.
If you’re considering animated advertising for your business, now is the perfect time to dive in. The possibilities are endless, and the potential to build your brand’s presence, connect with your audience, and boost sales is within your reach.
