Introduction
Online video advertising has become a dominant force in digital marketing strategies, with businesses utilizing the power of engaging visual content to connect with their audience. By 2025, the evolution of video ads continues to reflect the changing digital landscape, where viewers are more likely to interact with videos than any other form of media. From creative animations to gripping real-life narratives, video ads are pushing the boundaries of storytelling and consumer engagement.
This post highlights the 15 best online video ads and examples that have successfully captured attention and created meaningful connections with their audiences. From product demonstrations to inspirational storytelling, these videos provide valuable lessons for marketers seeking to leverage video advertising for their campaigns.
1. Temple & Webster – Homeward Bound
Temple & Webster, an Australian furniture and home décor retailer, has been making waves in the digital space with its engaging video content. One of their most popular video ads, “Homeward Bound,” features a family using Temple & Webster products to transform their home into a warm, welcoming environment.
The video combines humour with relatable scenarios, making it easy for viewers to connect emotionally with the brand. The ad showcases various products in use, creating a seamless integration between storytelling and product demonstration. The strength of the ad lies in its ability to showcase the brand’s diverse product range while maintaining a focus on the emotional connection that people have with their homes.
Why it Works:
- Strong emotional connection with the audience
- Seamless integration of products into the narrative
- Use of humour and relatability
2. Taco Bell – Web of Fries
Taco Bell’s “Web of Fries” commercial is a brilliant example of how humour and animation can effectively promote a food product. In this ad, Taco Bell creates a visually fun and quirky storyline revolving around their new menu item—loaded fries. The use of vibcoloursolors, playful music, and cheeky animation grabs attention and keeps the viewer engaged.
The creative approach to advertising a food product makes the ad stand out in an otherwise crowded market. It’s a perfect example of how to make an ordinary product—like fries—extraordinary through fun storytelling and memorable visuals.
Why it WoHumour
- Humor and creativity grab the attention
- Strong use of animation to emphasize product features
- Engaging, shareable content
3. Coca-Cola® – Masterpiece
Coca-Cola’s “Masterpiece” ad is a perfect blend of art, nostalgia, and joy. Set in an art gallery, the video follows the journey of a Coke bottle transforming into different artistic creations, each one evoking memories of Coca-Cola’s iconic moments. The ad appeals to the emotions of viewers while reinforcing Coca-Cola’s position as a symbol of positivity and togetherness.
Through stunning visuals and a lighthearted narrative, Coca-Cola creates a connection with its audience by linking the brand to shared human experiences. The use of art and culture in the ad enhances its aspirational and universal appeal.
Why it Works:
- Emotional appeal through the theme of art and shared memories
- High-quality visuals enhance brand storytelling
- Reinforces the brand’s identity as a symbol of joy and togetherness
4. Iceland – Rang-tan
Iceland’s “Rang-tan” is an award-winning ad that tells a compelling story about deforestation and its effects on wildlife. Featuring an orangutan whose home is destroyed due to palm oil farming, the ad addresses environmental issues head-on. The powerful animation and emotional narrative leave a lasting impression, pushing viewers to consider the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.
The ad also reflects Iceland’s commitment to sustainability, as they made the bold decision to stop selling products containing palm oil. It’s a powerful example of how brands can use video advertising to promote social causes.
Why it Works:
- Strong emotional impact
- Aligns the brand with social responsibility
- Creative use of animation to convey complex issues
5. Metro Trains – Dumb Ways to Die
Metro Trains’ “Dumb Ways to Die” is a perfect example of how video ads can be both educational and entertaining. This quirky, catchy ad features a series of animated characters dying in increasingly absurd ways. While the deaths are comical, the message is clear: take care around trains. The ad became a viral hit and spread far beyond its original audience.
The clever use of music, humour, and adorable characters makes the ad highly memorable. As a public service announcement, it effectively combines entertainment with a serious message about safety.
Why it Works:
- Memorable and entertaining
- Simple but effective messaging
- Virality and shareability
6. The New AirPods Pro
Apple is known for its sleek, minimalist ads, and the campaign for the new AirPods Pro is no exception. The ad showcases the product’s noise-cancelling technology in a creative and visually appealing way, using the concept of sound and silence to demonstrate the product’s features. The video seamlessly blends technology with storytelling, focusing on how the AirPods Pro enhances daily life.
Apple’s ability to maintain its premium brand image while highlighting product benefits is a testament to its mastery of online video advertising. The ad is short, visually striking, and to the point.
Why it Works:
- High-quality visuals and production value
- Clear and effective product demonstration
- Strong brand identity reinforced through minimalist design
7. Peugeot – The Sculptor
Peugeot’s “The Sculptor” ad highlights the art of designing a car. The commercial showcases a sculptor shaping a car from raw materials, emphasizing the craftsmanship and innovation that goes into every Peugeot vehicle. The ad uses stunning cinematography and a captivating narrative to present the brand as both artistic and innovative.
This ad is a great example of how automotive brands can use storytelling to highlight not just the product but the values and philosophy behind the brand.
Why it Works:
- High-quality cinematography and visuals
- Strong alignment with the brand’s values of precision and elegance
- Creative storytelling
8. Volvo: XC60 – ‘The Epic Split’
Volvo’s “Epic Split” ad featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the most talked-about car commercials in history. In the ad, Van Damme performs an impressive split between two moving Volvo trucks, demonstrating the stability and precision of the brand’s dynamic steering technology. The high-stakes stunt, combined with Van Damme’s iconic presence, makes the ad unforgettable.
This video is an excellent example of how to use a unique and bold approach to highlight a product’s features unforgettably.
Why it Works:
- Bold, memorable stunt
- Clear demonstration of the product’s capabilities
- Strong brand association with precision and safety
9. Nike – Write the Future
Nike’s “Write the Future” campaign is a powerful example of how video ads can be used to inspire and motivate. The ad centres around a football match where small actions lead to monumental consequences. Featuring a star-studded cast of athletes, the ad emphasizes Nike’s ethos of greatness, determination, and self-empowerment.
Nike’s use of high-energy visuals, dramatic music, and inspiring messaging creates a powerful emotional connection with viewers.
Why it Works:
- Inspires the audience through powerful storytelling
- Strong brand association with sports and empowerment
- Uses a high-profile celebrity cast to appeal to a wide audience
10. Skillfinity – Unlock Your Potential
Skillfinity’s explainer video ads focus on demonstrating how their platform can help users acquire new skills. The ad uses simple animations and clear messaging to convey the benefits of Skillfinity’s courses, targeting professionals looking to advance their careers. This type of explainer video is effective because it combines education with persuasion, clearly showcasing the platform’s value.
By using concise messaging and a straightforward narrative, Skillfinity ensures that its potential customers understand exactly what they can gain from using the service.
Why it Works:
- Clear and direct messaging
- Educational value combined with a call to action
- Effective use of animation to simplify complex ideas
11. Google – A CODA Story
Google’s “A CODA Story” ad tells a moving story about a hearing child growing up with deaf parents. Through the ad, Google showcases how its technology helps bridge communication gaps, providing tools like live captioning and speech recognition. The ad resonates with a wide audience by highlighting the power of technology to foster human connection.
The heartwarming narrative, combined with a subtle product demonstration, makes this ad both emotionally compelling and effective at showcasing the value of Google’s technology.
Why it Works:
- Emotional storytelling that resonates with a broad audience
- Highlights the positive impact of technology on everyday life
- Subtle yet effective product demonstration
12. Doosan Infracore – Dream Big
Doosan Infracore’s “Dream Big” campaign features awe-inspiring visuals of heavy machinery at work, highlighting the company’s innovative technology. The ad uses stunning landscapes and a powerful narrative to showcase how Doosan’s equipment can help shape the future. By focusing on the scale and ambition of the construction industry, the video inspires viewers to think big and pursue their dreams.
This ad is a great example of how video ads can use dramatic visuals to elevate a brand’s message and values.
Why it Works:
- Visually stunning cinematography
- Strong brand association with innovation and ambition
- Inspires the audience through a powerful narrative
13. Nokia Video Ad – Gulp
Nokia’s “Gulp” ad, one of the largest stop-motion animations ever created, demonstrates the power of the Nokia mobile phone camera. The ad features a LEGO cityscape created entirely from individual LEGO bricks. The stop-motion animation is used to tell a charming story while highlighting the phone’s camera capabilities.
Nokia’s innovative approach to showcasing a product feature through such a complex and creative process helped capture widespread attention.
Why it Works:
- Unique and creative approach to product demonstration
- Innovative use of stop-motion animation
- Strong focus on product features while telling a story
14. Pandora – The Unique Connection
Pandora’s video ads emphasize how music creates a unique emotional connection with listeners. By showcasing the diversity of music genres and how they resonate with different people, Pandora reinforces its brand message of personal connection through music. The ad creates an emotional narrative that resonates with the audience’s love for music and self-expression.
This is an excellent example of brand video marketing, where the focus is on the brand’s values rather than just the product.
Why it Works:
- Emotional appeal through the universal theme of music
- Strong brand messaging around connection and self-expression
- Engaging visuals and storytelling
15. Airbnb – Belong Anywhere
Airbnb’s “Belong Anywhere” campaign is a beautiful and emotional celebration of the brand’s mission to make people feel at home no matter where they are in the world. The ad showcases a diverse range of hosts and guests, illustrating the personal connections formed through Airbnb experiences.
This brand video perfectly captures the essence of Airbnb’s community-based model, creating a powerful emotional connection with its audience.
Why it Works:
- Strong emotional narrative centred around inclusivity
- Reinforces the brand’s identity of belonging and community
- High-quality visuals and diverse representation
What’s an Online Video Marketing Ad?
An online video marketing ad is a digital advertisement designed to promote a product, service, or brand through video content. These ads are distributed across a variety of online platforms such as YouTube, social media, websites, and email marketing campaigns. Unlike traditional TV ads, online video ads offer brands a way to connect directly with their audience, providing opportunities for highly targeted and measurable marketing strategies.
How Does It Work?
Online video marketing works by using video content to capture the attention of viewers. These videos often feature product demonstrations, testimonials, storytelling, or entertainment to engage the audience. Video ads can appear on various platforms, such as YouTube, social media, and other digital media, either as pre-roll ads, mid-roll ads, or as standalone content on a brand’s website or social channels.
Benefits of Online Video Ads
- Higher Engagement: Video content is more likely to capture attention and hold it longer compared to text or image-based ads.
- Improved Conversion Rates: Video ads have been shown to increase conversion rates significantly, with viewers more likely to take action after watching a video.
- Better Retention: People are more likely to remember a message delivered through video than through static content.
- SEO Advantage: Websites with video content tend to rank higher on search engines, driving more traffic and visibility.
- Shareability: Videos are more likely to be shared on social media, helping brands increase organic reach.
Key Takeaways
- Online video ads are essential tools in today’s digital marketing landscape, helping businesses capture attention, build brand awareness, and drive conversions.
- Successful brand videos and explainer videos combine creativity, clear messaging, and emotional storytelling to resonate with their audience.
- The top 15 video ad examples showcase the power of engaging visuals, clear calls to action, and strong emotional appeals.
- Understanding the key elements of effective video ads—such as high-quality production, emotional resonance, and targeted distribution—can help brands develop successful campaigns that achieve measurable results.
