Video Ad Creative We Can’t Stop Thinking About | November 2023

At QuickFrame, we put a high premium on ad creative. You can have the most cutting-edge product on the market, but if your video ads don’t sparkle, you’re going to have a hard time turning passive prospects into passionate consumers.

That’s why, each month, we round up a selection of the best ad creative we’ve helped brands create to help you generate concepts for your future campaigns. (Who needs to schedule an hours-long creative brainstorming session when you can just watch some videos, y’know?)

Dive into this month’s top picks below.

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Codecademy

Anatomy of the Video

Style: Live Action

Industry: Education

Platform: YouTube

Elements: Branding, on-screen text, a trending topic of conversation

Objective: Acquisition

Turnaround: 2 weeks 

Analysis of the Creative

This Twilight Zone-esque video ad instantly grabs the attention of Codecademy’s audience. Whether or not you’re a dedicated fan of the sci-fi show, you’ve probably seen a couple of references since its 1959 debut. 

While you might not know it at the beginning of the ad, the customer is the center of the story throughout. Once Sally meets the new co-worker (spoiler: it’s technology), the computer quickly threatens to take Sally’s job. By tackling the conversation of technology replacing jobs — a topic that’s been occupying headlines and LinkedIn posts all year — the brand makes an immediate connection with viewers. 

With this strategy, Codecademy uses emotion to engage with their audience, but in an unconventional, creative way. By framing technophobia as something familiar yet outdated, they’re encouraging people to rewrite (admittedly very real) narratives with education. 

MedCline

Anatomy of the Video

Style: Live Action

Industry: Health and Wellness

Platform: TV (CTV/OTT/Linear) 

Elements: On-screen text, product visuals, voiceover 

Objective: Brand Marketing

Turnaround: 4 weeks

Analysis of the Creative

MedCline opens this ad with an all-too-familiar stat: the staggering number of people who don’t get enough sleep. Through on-screen text and a voiceover message, they establish the problem they want to solve. 

Once they’ve captured their audience’s attention and established their authority in the industry, they begin to show off their product. Instead of just saying, “Hey, our product helps you sleep better!” and hoping viewers take their word for it, they provide specific examples of benefits and value propositions. 

To take a similar approach in your video marketing campaign, find ways you can clearly communicate the problem your product solves. Here, both the problem and solution are directly explained throughout. Plus, the video includes a simple call-to-action at the end of the ad, which drives the viewer directly to the website. 

Need video specs for CTV platforms? Your Guide to Connected TV Video Ad Specs

Spotify X Liquid IV

Anatomy of the Video

Style: Animated 

Industry: Food and Beverage

Platform: Other

Elements: Branding, call-to-action, voiceover 

Objective: Branded Content 

Turnaround: 2-3 months

Analysis of the Creative

In this Spotify-specific spot for Liquid IV, the brand connects with their audience through an engaging animated ad with relatable situations. 

We’re all busy. With family, work, friendships, holidays, birthdays, and maintaining everything else (seriously, writing this just reminded me I need to take my car to the shop), there’s a lot going on. By honing in on their audience’s daily routines, they can connect with them in a personal way. In a post-pandemic world, many people want to elevate their experiences — even if it’s just making dinner. Plus, they include branding throughout, including the Liquid IV logo and animated product visuals, to ensure viewers don’t lose the brand amid such fun animations. 

In order to create a similar video ad in your own video strategy, think about how your product can elevate the lives of your customers. Does your product make their morning coffee even more enjoyable? Or does your product simplify managing the family calendar? No matter the situation, showcase how your products can elevate their experiences — and their lives.