7 Outstanding Digital Marketing Campaign Videos That Captured Attention

In this blog post, we will explore seven great examples of creating digital marketing campaign videos that worked to blow the minds of their targeted audiences. Not only do they prove the power of video in advertising, but they also demonstrate the inventive, strategic, and in some instances, wildly out-of-the-box creative ways in which video can elevate a campaign to levels in which the brand is enhanced in a way that was not intended or planned for before the creative process. However, if you are a marketer seeking inspiration or a business owner curious as to why these campaigns are such a success, there are plenty here to chew over.

1. Nike – "Dream Crazy"

Yet, normally, Nike’s ‘Dream Crazy’ campaign is thought of as one of the very best video marketing campaigns previously. The controversial but powerful figure, Colin Kaepernick, released the ad, as a montage of athletes overcoming obstacles in 2018. The message? “Sacrifice everything so you can believe in something.”

Emotionally, the campaign had a hook. Along with promoting athletic gear, Nike wasn’t just paying lip service to social justice and underdog mentality— they connected their brand to a larger cultural moment, using athletic gear as a means to bring in a wider audience. The backlash never came—and it was generally seen as a clear reinforcement of Nike’s identity as no stranger to taking bold stands as a brand itself.

Why It Works:

• Emotional Impact: One of the biggest advantages of this ad is that it uses powerful storytelling, tugs at the heartstrings, and encourages viewers to do more.
• Cultural Relevance: Given depth beyond product promotion on the back of aligning with ongoing social movements, Nike’s message aligned with current trends.
• Brand Consistency: It reinforced Nike’s long-running brand message of allowing athletes to do great things.

2. Old Spice – "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"

One of the most popular examples of video advertising campaigns over the past few years is Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” The commercial had actor Isaiah Mustafa, fast-paced scenes, witty dialogue, and absurd humor. The campaign aimed at both women and men, a clever injection of men and the idea of what our "ideal" man looks like.

The ad, with its odd quirkiness and overdoing it in style was a very different approach compared to most of the male-oriented product commercials of that time. The commercial was shareable thanks to the absurd image paired with the humor.

Why It Works:

• Unique Humor: Old Spice successfully used humor to break away from traditional advertising tropes, making it fresh and engaging.
• Engagement: The ad sparked conversations and led to a series of follow-up videos, including responses to Twitter users, which kept the campaign going long after the initial release.
• Targeted Approach: The campaign played both men’s desire for confidence and women’s desire for a great-smelling man, effectively appealing to both audiences.

3. Dove – "Real Beauty Sketches"

The emotion of Dove’s ‘Real Beauty Sketches’ campaign which launched in 2013 was an emotional powerhouse. But in the video, women in turn describe themselves to a forensic artist, who then creates portraits of them. They then directed the women to describe another woman they recently met, and this produced a different, and often more flattering, portrait. The last ending emphasizes the difference between how women themselves see themselves and how they are seen.

Rather than another beauty product sales campaign, Dove’s campaign was about changing perceptions of what beauty is in a world dependent on unattainable standards. The message of the campaign was clear: You’re more beautiful than you think women are. The result? A viral hit that became a million viewer count and conjured big discussions about body image and self-esteem.

Why It Works:

• Powerful Social Message: Dove used the campaign to challenge beauty standards, making it resonate deeply with women around the world.
• Relatable Content: The video reflected real-life insecurities many people feel, which made it relatable and impactful.
• Emotional Appeal: By showcasing real people instead of models, Dove created a more genuine, heartfelt message.

Read More: The Impact of Video Marketing on SaaS Startups: A Game-Changing Strategy

4. Apple – "Shot on iPhone"

One great example of how a brand can offer up the features of its product as compelling video marketing content is Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign. Instead of meticulously showcasing tech specs and features, Apple captured the power of user-generated content by showing off stunning visuals shot by iPhone users themselves.

Great camera quality in the iPhone was something the videos liked to cover, but they did so in a natural way. A specific emphasis on creativity—showing you how to take beautiful scenes, mundane and sometimes extraordinary—of how anyone with an iPhone could make professional-level photos and videos.

Why It Works:

• User-Generated Content: By showcasing real people’s work, Apple created a sense of community and trust around its product.
• Focus on Quality: The emphasis on the product’s features without explicitly advertising them made the campaign feel less like a commercial and more like a celebration of creativity.
• Viral Potential: The campaign sparked massive social media engagement, with users posting their photos and videos using the hashtag #ShotOniPhone.

5. Coca-Cola – "Share a Coke"

The ‘Share a Coke’ campaign made Coca-Cola one of the many brands to revolutionize the concept of using personalization in advertising. Rather than simply pushing its product, Coca-Cola decided to rid its iconic logo from its bottles and have people search for a Coke with their name (or a friend’s name) on it, to share. The video was the centerpiece of this campaign, a short, fun, and engaging video that was also sharing the joy of sharing a personal Coke.

The video was simple but effective, as it tapped into human emotions: Some connection, friendship, and joy. It also cleverly allowed you to social share and people started posting photos of their personalized Coke bottles online. It's the viral element that made the campaign go so wildly viral.

Why It Works:

• Personalization: The campaign made consumers feel special, turning a simple product into a personal experience.
• Social Sharing: Encouraging customers to share photos on social media helped Coca-Cola generate buzz and visibility.
• Emotional Connection: By focusing on relationships, Coca-Cola created a feel-good campaign that resonated on a personal level.

6. Guinness – "Surfer"

One of the more iconic video marketing campaigns in the alcohol industry is the Guinness ‘Surfer’ ad from 1999. It’s a story of surfers waiting for the perfect wave, facing various difficulties and difficulties. The voiceover voice says: 'Good things come to those who wait.' This imagery is a metaphor for the patience and perseverance you’d have to put forth when driving a Guinness.

It’s a striking video with dramatic visuals and a mesmerising soundtrack with the classic “The Surfer” by The Chemical Brothers among them. It’s an ad for beer, but it’s an ad for a lifestyle of strength, a bit of patience, and some reward.

Why It Works:

• Powerful Metaphor: The surfers’ battle with the waves is a perfect metaphor for the patience and resilience that Guinness wants to associate with its brand.
• Memorable Imagery: The ad’s striking visuals and memorable soundtrack make it hard to forget.
• Brand Alignment: The ad reinforced the brand’s identity as a drink for those who appreciate the “good things in life,” which resonated with their target audience.

7. Google – "Year in Search"

In the annual ‘Year in Search’ video, Google shows the world’s most searched topics each year, with viewers finding out the major events, trends, and conversations that made the year. The 2020 edition, focusing on the pandemic, marked moments of collective humanity, from medical breakthroughs to acts of kindness.

It’s the “Year in Search” campaign that’s so powerful because it brings people together. It’s not a product or service pushed but rather a celebration of human experience in an inherently human way. The video serves as a powerful reminder of the larger opportunity digital marketing offers beyond traditional brand promotion and can play a bigger role in cultural conversation.

Why It Works:

• Cultural Relevance: Google capitalized on a globally shared experience, making the video resonate with millions of people worldwide.
• Emotional Connection: The ad was uplifting and focused on positivity during a challenging year, creating a sense of hope and unity.
• Non-commercial Approach: By avoiding direct product promotion, Google emphasized its role as a tool that helps people in times of need.

Conclusion

In these seven examples, we see how video advertising campaigns can be powerful, through storytelling, creativity, and emotional connection with the audience. Whether it’s Nike’s bold social statements or Coca-Cola’s personalized approach, these are best video marketing campaigns that have less to do with simply selling products and far more to do with making sure a video marketing campaign tells a story and becomes a memorable experience, or builds emotional connections through outreach, or strikes when the cultural moment is right to appeal both the brand and those who might associate with it.

Using their creative liberty emotional and assuming risks, these brands are leading the way for future campaigns in digital marketing. Thus, if you decide you want to make your video campaign then following these great examples you must be inspired to think out of the box and create something that is not common.