Video marketing has become a critical part of modern advertising, driving engagement and brand awareness across industries. However, with the sheer volume of video content being produced daily, breaking through the noise has never been more challenging. Over-the-top marketing techniques have left audiences desensitized, making it harder for traditional advertisements to leave a lasting impact.

This is where animated storytelling comes in. By shifting the focus back to strong narratives and engaging visuals, animation provides a fresh, captivating alternative to standard commercial formats. Animated commercials can attract a broad audience, keep them invested in the story, and evoke emotions that resonate long after the ad is over.

The Power of Animated Commercials

A well-executed animated ad can elicit a range of emotions—joy, nostalgia, even suspense—all within a few minutes. This makes them more than just ads; they are a form of storytelling and visual artistry. They also reflect the latest trends in design, culture, and music, allowing brands to stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape.

It’s no surprise that many businesses prioritize animated video content as a core part of their marketing strategy. Here’s why:
✔ Universal Appeal – Animation transcends age groups and demographics, making it accessible to a wide audience.
✔ Easy Distribution – Animated content can be repurposed across multiple platforms, from TV to social media, maximizing reach.
✔ Better Engagement – Studies show animated commercials have up to 30% higher engagement rates than live-action ads.

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

Animated advertising allows businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors still relying on traditional, repetitive video marketing. A well-crafted animated spot is more than just an ad—it’s an experience. It introduces brands in a way that is memorable, visually distinctive, and emotionally compelling.

Beyond branding, animation boosts conversions and sales by simplifying messages, capturing attention instantly, and building strong emotional connections with potential customers.

Why Animation Has Been a Marketing Staple for Decades

Animation in advertising isn’t new—it has been a major part of marketing since the 1940s. Some of the most iconic mascots and campaigns in history have relied on animation to build brand recognition and loyalty.

Think about characters like:
🎭 M&Ms – Lovable personalities that have made a simple candy brand unforgettable.
🎩 The Pillsbury Doughboy – A character synonymous with warmth, home, and comfort.
💥 The Kool-Aid Man – Bursting through walls and into pop culture history.

These characters have stood the test of time because animation allows them to evolve without aging. Animated mascots and commercials retain their impact for generations, making them an invaluable asset for long-term brand storytelling.

The Limitless Creative Potential of Animation

One of the biggest advantages of animated advertising is its boundless creative potential. Unlike live-action commercials, animation isn’t restricted by real-world constraints—gravity, physics, or location don’t matter. The sky isn’t the limit—there are no limits.

This flexibility makes animation ideal for:
✅ Explaining complex subjects in an engaging and digestible way.
✅ Bringing abstract ideas to life through metaphor and visual storytelling.
✅ Delivering messages across cultures with universal visual language.

When combined with a strong script and a clear visual approach, animated commercials become more than just marketing—they become a direct, emotional connection between brands and their audiences.

In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, animated advertisements remain one of the most effective tools for engagement, storytelling, and brand recognition. And with constant advancements in technology and animation, the possibilities are only expanding.

Here are my picks for the 10 best-animated commercials to get inspired by.

10 Most Popular Animated Commercials

1. Samsung Hummingbird LED TV commercial
2. Exynos: Thank you (Christmas Ad 2020) | Samsung
3. Rynkeby – Monkey Dance
4. Absolut X Rafael Grampá | Dark Noir
5. Polar Bears Film (Coca-Cola 2013)
6. MoneySupermarket: Epic Action Man
7. John Lewis: “The Bear and the Hare”
8. Chipotle – Back the Start
9. The Greatest Gift | Sainsbury’s Ad | Christmas 2016
10. Safari Animated TV Commercial – Sherwin-Williams

Honorable mentions

1. Cadbury Dairy Milk – Aliens – Canada (40 secs)
2. 3D Animated Short “Beans” – by Cinesite (This one is a fake commercial but couldn’t be any cooler)
3. Slack Teams Do Amazing Things — “Traffic”

Here are 5 extra, awesome commercials that utilize both animation and live-action.

1. Chapter I: Caught in the Act | Cheat On Your RPG | AFK Arena
2. SSE ‘Maya’
3. IKEA – Change a bit for good – TV advert 60 #WonderfulEveryday
4. John Lewis Trampoline Christmas Advert
5. Tajawal: Caged

Are you Inspired?
Reach out and let’s discuss your project.