15 Amazing Examples of Animated Ads for Business

Animated ads are one of our most beloved types of videos online, and there are plenty of reasons why! They are fun, beautiful to look at, and they can deliver a lot of relevant information in creative, engaging, and effective ways – IF you do them right, at least.

And the best part? Audiences can’t seem to get enough of them!

The thing is, though, that there’s a lot that goes into making animation ads that hit the right spot with viewers. So today, we are taking a peek behind the curtains into a handful of animation advertising examples to see what makes them effective and hopefully get a few animation ideas from these great ads.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

What Is an Animated Ad?

Simply put, animated ads are short commercial cartoon videos meant to promote a company’s products or services.

This type of advertisement is frequently displayed through television or digital channels, especially through social platforms like YouTube and Facebook. There, animation ads can be showcased as in-banner or in-stream ads. In the first case, the ad consists of a banner with an embedded video, whereas the latter term refers to an ad that’s played inside an organic video post.

15 Amazing Animated Video Ads Examples to Get Inspired By

While there’s plenty to discuss surrounding the topic of cartoon advertisement, let’s start by going over a list of some great cartoon ads and see which animation ideas you can get from them!

1. “How to Play Catan – The Most Adorable Overview Ever” – Catan, Animated Ad by Yum Yum Videos

No, we didn’t choose the lovely title, and we aren’t just trying to pat our own back! 😉

It’s just that we are really proud of the work we did with this animated advertisment and genuinely feel it earns a spot on this list! Here’s why:

Our friends at Catan GmbH approached us looking for a cartoon advertisement about their world-renowned tabletop game Catan. One that introduced the basics to new audiences but did so in an equally compelling and entertaining way!

Long story short, we ended up giving the protagonists the ability to “jump inside” the game and experience its elements from a first-person perspective! That original animation idea lent all other aspects of the animation advertisement that magical, relatable, and dynamic feel that only cartoon ads can capture!

Plus, the Catanimals just look too cute, don’t you think?

2. “June: Life Is Better When You Share the Ride” – Animated Ad from Lyft

This cool advertisement animation from the popular app and vehicle service Lyft follows an “animated short” style, and we just adore the attention to the details that were put into every frame.

The animated commercial is as charming as it is compelling, as it tells the viewers the heartfelt story of June, a lovely grandma that uses Lyft’s services on her way to get a new car and… Well, we won’t spoil the rest, but it’s worth a watch!

The overall design, animation, and the way it weaves its story are just impeccable across the board. And it incorporates the brand into the story in a way that stands out just by how non-invasive it is!

Animation advertising at its best.

3. “Work, Simplified” – Animated Commercial Video from Slack

The popular business communication platform Slack is no stranger to great animated ads examples — or great ads in general! But “Work, simplified” continues to be one of our all-time favorites!

It’s one of those video ads examples that stand out for their “simple complexity” and economy of story, leveraging visual communication to its fullest.

The use of a continuous take/camera panning combined with elaborate backgrounds and compositions work marvelously to convey their message. There’s neither voice-over nor on-screen text, and yet you can’t watch the video and not get what it’s saying!

Best of all? The piece isn’t even long! It only asks for less than a minute of the viewers’ time, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome — just an all-around good advertisement example of animation done right.

4. “Able” – Cartoon Advertisement by Yum Yum Video

This is one of our all-time favorite animated ads we’ve worked on and I hope it can give you some cool animation ideas for your pieces.

With this explainer video, we focused on leveraging the power of motion graphic videos, using energetic transitions and meaningful visuals to convey not only the information our client needed to be covered but to do so in an attention-grabbing that kept viewers engaged.

The complex yet easy-to-read graphics help compliment the point the narrator is carrying across, and the company’s message is delivered in a way that reinforces the key takeaways even during a cursory look. Moreover, the script was developed in much the same manner, using alliteration to make the peace even more memorable!

5. “SumTotalCare” – Cartoon Advertisement from Summa Health

There are so many cool advertisement ideas in this piece from Summa Health that it can be difficult to focus on just a few to mention here. The creative imagery (of both visuals and the script), the dynamic perspective and camera work, the implementations of striking 3D-like 2D elements… the list goes on with this piece of healthcare video production.

As you watch it, start by paying attention to three elements that make this an animated avertisment worth watching: The on-point, easy-to-read character design; the scenery built with a minimalistic approach; and above all, how each scene ties to the next via well-thought-out, unique transitions…

Then – and beyond all those fantastic technical aspects – we want you also to take special notice of how this cartoon ad manages to convey a sense of positivity and optimism all the way through!

Definitely a worthy addition to our list of the best commercial cartoon ads.

6. “What Would Christmas Be Without Love?” – Animated Ad from Erste Group

Around Christmas, many companies decide to commemorate the season with animated ads. And in 2018, the Erste Group, an Austrian bank, did an excellent job at it.

They came up with this heartwarming story about a hedgehog with… ermm, obstacles to make friends.

What has that to do with a bank? Well, this is a brand video. It’s the kind of advertisement that focuses on conveying brand values rather than sales pitches.

It’s worth noting that this sweet story will have been virtually impossible to tell without using animation advertising since it’s set in a fictional world where animals take school buses and celebrate Christmas –hardly realistic, right?

As you are about to learn, that’s one of the key advantages of cartoon ads: in terms of storytelling, your imagination is the only limit.

7. “Amazon Coins” – Cartoon Advertisement from Amazon

SaaS explainer videos work great as animated video ads examples because they can easily break down how a service works step by step and highlight the company’s unique proposition.

Moreover, the animated characters and objects make the video more enticing and entertaining to watch, increasing the likelihood that the target audience will keep watching until the end, and properly understand and retain the message.

8. “Air Reinvented” – Animation Advertisement from Nike

Years ago, Nike redesigned some of its most iconic sneaker models and announced this big step – pun definitively intended – with an animated commercial video. They created this aesthetically pleasing piece that goes hand in hand with the brand’s urban style.

The best part of this animation advertising example is how well it honors previous sneaker designs. Pay attention every time a new model comes into the frame – do you notice how the visuals and music change depending on the style of the featured sneaker? Cool, isn’t it?

9. “Anthem” – Animated Ads Examples from MailChimp

This video ad example caught our attention with its beautiful visuals, but there’s more to it than just a pretty aesthetic. It’s an ode to entrepreneurs – the niche MailChimp specializes in.

What’s interesting about this animation idea is that the script focuses more on viewers than on the brand itself. Far from giving a sales pitch or even mentioning what its service is about, MailChimp puts on its customers’ shoes and sends an inspirational message to them. With these types of cartoon ads, an audience can become closer to a company and its values, hopefully bringing about customer trust and loyalty.

10. “Kevel” – Animated Commercial Video from Adzerk

Sometimes, the only way to stand out from other video ads examples is by being bold and brave, especially when you’re trying to promote an intangible product and break into a crowded niche at the same time.

But Adzerk knew they had something that set them apart from the competition, so they created this cartoon ad that features an engaging visual narrative focused on their product’s unique strengths. What’s more, the animated style makes it easier for the audience to visualize the role the offering can play into their lives and how it measures up to other solutions.

11. “It’s amazing what water can do” – Animated Commercial from Sydney Water

Most people would think there’s not much room for creativity when it comes to nonprofit video production, especially one about using the toilet’s “half flush” to save water. But here’s where animated ads examples prove them wrong!

This piece from Sydney Water is just delightful to watch. From the catchy poem about the importance of water to the stunning animation style, everything about this video catches the viewer’s eye and makes it an effective commercial.

12. “Get Your Magical Keywords Now” – Animation Advertising from Semrush

Animation have to be as short as possible to be effective, we all know that. But how can you make something entertaining and detailed that your audience will love in just 23 seconds? Well, just take a look at how Semrush has succeeded!

Animated video ads like this one are character-based, meaning that they feature an animated character as the hero or the protagonist of the story. In this case, with a product called “Keyword Magic,” it’s a no-brainer that this character had to be a wizard.

The best part of this piece is that it not only showcases how the app itself works but also makes it look like the wizard is controlling it! This goes to show how cartoons and educational video production can make demonstrating the inner workings of an app or website a lot more fun.

13. “Say hello to Headspace” – Animation Ideas by Headspace

Sometimes, the best animated ads are also the simplest. Granted, this one might be a bit longer than the others on this list, but I wanted to include it for several reasons.

It’s very straightforward in explaining how Headspace works, and also makes it clear from the start what value it offers to customers. Moreover, this animated commercial ends with an effective call to action to encourage viewers to download the app.

14. “Ava Accessibility” – Animated Commercial from Ava

This piece from Ava is full of animation ideas to inspire your own commercial. As with any other ad, it explains the solution’s benefits, but it does so by showing all the possible situations in which it might come in handy. 

On top of that, it combines minimalistic yet visually-appealing illustrations with a vintage-looking color palette and uplifting music. The result is a mesmerizing video that’s just delightful to watch! Something only the top animation studios in NYC would be able to achieve.

15. “The Fastest Food Delivery in Town” – Animation Advertising from Swiggy

To round off this list of wonderful animated commercials, we have this action-packed piece from Swiggy. In just 30 seconds, the company manages to present its service as the hero that comes in to save the day (quite literally!) while conveying its main strengths.

Moreover, the eye-catching text serves to reinforce said advantages in the viewer’s mind, while the clear and strong CTA lets them know where they can find the app. Quite a full package in this animated video ad, don’t you think?

Why Make Awesome Animated Ads?

Animation is powerful, and few people nowadays would argue that. Moreover, animation advertising can resonate with any type of audience and deliver any kind of message.

That’s the main reason why most businesses are adding commercial cartoon ads to their overall marketing strategy. You just need to find the right approach for you!

But if you are looking for a few more specifics, here are some aspects that showcase the power of cartoon advertisements:

• Customization & Flexibility: To start with, the animation itself provides an unparalleled amount of freedom when it comes to bringing advertisement ideas to life – allowing your creativity to expand into avenues that other formats would make either cost-prohibitive or outright impossible to delve into. Flying dragons? Child’s play. Set fire underwater? Sure! Time travel? Let’s just hit 88 miles per hour, and we are there. Something we think our list of good advertisement examples, as well as the ones in our company’s portfolio, showcase marvelously!
• Conversion Rates: Animated ads have proven to be extremely effective in terms of generating leads and conversions. A well-placed ad integrated into your overall marketing strategy can facilitate critical transition points in your funnel and make it much more likely for people to commit to a purchase decision.
• Pricing: As with the rest of your marketing efforts, what you can and can’t do is dictated by your budget. Reaching professional-level quality standards is much more cost-effective through animation, as a similar video done with live-action footage can easily cost three times as much! Check out some video marketing agencies you can take into consideration 😉
• Appeal: Well-made animated advertisments are quick to grab viewers’ attention – which can be a game-changer when you focus your efforts on social platforms and similar fast-paced online distribution mediums.

And that’s just to name a few!

How to Build the Best Animated Commercial Videos?

So yeah, working with animation advertising itself will open a lot of doors to convey your message exactly the way you want to. Doubly so for those times when you need to incorporate visual aids – like charts or diagrams – or need to convey abstract concepts, made much easier to understand via animation.

While you could write several books about all the elements that come into play in imagining awesome animation ideas and making great ads using animation, here are five we consider vital:

Quality: Whether consciously or unconsciously, people online judge the reliability of your products or services by the quality of your content. Making sure that your video makes the right impression through highly polished animation is crucial.

Targeting: Generic ads are quickly forgotten. Effective pieces are built with a clear target audience in mind. That way, you can tailor its elements to resonate with the specific crowd it’s trying to appeal to.

Branding: Effective cartoon advertisements use intelligent branding techniques – like color selection and logo placement – to reinforce their message and subtly but effectively promote the company’s image (take a look at these corporate videos to understand branding in videos!).

Rhythm: Animated ads that work usually have flawless pacing, a rhythm that times the action and story just the right way to keep audiences entertained and engaged throughout.

Message: Even if all other elements are on point, ads that lack a clear message, or fail to convey it thoroughly, usually fall flat from their intended purpose.

And if you are looking for great 2D animated advertisements like these, just get in touch!

5 More Animation Examples from Yum Yum Videos

By now, you have a pretty good idea about what makes for awesome cartoon ads and have seen how several recognized brands are leveraging the medium.

But in case you want a few more good advertisement examples from our 2D animation studio to add to your mind folder and inspire your animation ideas, here are some we particularly like from our very own portfolio. Enjoy!

1. Collaboration Squared – Animation Ad

This is one of the animation advertising examples we are most proud of. It leans more toward the explainer video feel and composition, but it never gets too technical or loses sight of the message. All in all, it is a lovely overview of the product but presented in a friendly and interesting way.

2. Chargebee – Animation Advertising

This cool advertisement example is one of the most recent animated ads we’ve worked on, but it already earned a spot on our list. We just enjoyed working on it too much!

It’s worth noticing the fluid frame transitions, which give a dynamic air to the piece – perfect for the unique nature of a service like Chargebee’s.

3. Blume – Animated Video Ad

The rich textures and details give depth and visual appeal to the animation advertisement, providing the whole piece with an organic and natural feel that goes hand in hand with the company’s product and message – a total win-win.

4. Tentacle – Animation Advertising

The idea of this piece was to explain and present a complex tech solution in a more easy-to-follow way that still kept with the product’s intent. So, we went with the motion graphics route.

The result was a visually distinctive, simple-to-understand animated ad that we think everyone can understand and enjoy!

5. The Spur Group – Animation Advertisement

Here’s another motion graphics video we love! After an enticing introduction, this example speaks to viewers directly and conveys how they can benefit by having The Spur Group by their side.

The whole style of this animation advertising piece expresses seriousness and professionalism – aspects that most B2B clients look for in a company, don’t you agree?

And remember, if you need a piece similar to these video ads examples, don’t be afraid to reach out for a quote. We’ll be glad to help you bring your ideas to life!

Why Should You Choose Yum Yum Videos for Your Next Animated Ad?

Thanks to our neverending passion and dedication, our explainer video company has been working in the industry for over a decade and now we stand among the most prominent names out there. As always, our videos are the result of pure love for the medium and having a detail-driven animation process, but we also bring to the table our:

• Dedicated Team of Experts: Our talented designers, producers, directors, and writers all take great care of even the smallest details in each video to provide the best animated ads.
• Quality Checks: That talented team plus several layers of quality control are what make our videos taste different. It’s not magic; it’s hard work that ensures a quality signature.
• Fixed Deadlines: Based on the Gantt views we provide, you’ll always know what we’re working on at any given moment.
• No Hidden Fees: In the first exploratory call, we’ll discuss your video needs and provide a proposal and fixed pricing for it. That’s it –no hidden fees or explainer video costs down the road!

This philosophy, together with our ample experience, has allowed us to build a portfolio with nearly a thousand marketing videos and partner with small startups and Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, McKesson, FOX, Thermofisher, Walmart, Vodafone, and more.

But you don’t have to take our word for it, just see for yourself what our customers have to say about working with us:

So, if you’re looking for a partner who can take care of your animated video ads and produce that effective and awesome piece your business deserves, just drop us a line!

FAQ about Animation Advertising

If you’re still left with some concerns after watching these cartoon advertisement examples, then you’re in luck! Now, I’m going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this kind of video:

1. How long should an animated commercial be?

A good rule of thumb is to make your commercial 30 seconds long or less. Believe it or not, that amount of time should be more than enough to convey your message and encourage action. Granted, it’s not easy, but it’s definitely possible.

Moreover, your ad’s length might be determined by the platform on which you wish to share it. For example, Instagram video ads can be between 3 and 120 seconds long, depending on whether you share them on Stories or in-feed. So, you should always check your distribution platform’s best practices before producing your ad.

2. Are animated ads effective?

Commercial cartoons tend to be better at grabbing attention than static ads because they’re more visually appealing and interesting to watch than lines of text. Moreover, they can convey your message in the form of a compelling narrative that’s more likely to have the desired impact on your potential customers because it can be tailored to their specific needs and interests. So, overall, we could say that yes, animated ads are definitely effective.

3. Why do animated commercials increase sales?

These commercials increase sales because, as I’ve mentioned before, they’re highly appealing and can be tailored to a specific audience. On top of that, you can transform your message into a story your audience can relate to and consume easily. And since cartoon advertisements require almost no effort on the part of the viewer to understand the information being presented, it becomes easy for them to understand and even to recall your message regardless of complex it might be.

4. How much does an animated ad cost?

Animation advertising is priced according to different factors, such as the video’s length and style, customization options, the production timeline and team’s expertise, and so on. But typically, this is what animation costs per minute depending on your approach:

• DIY/Templates: If you have the software and the necessary skills, you can make the ad yourself and probably spend no more than $100. It’s important to note that templates offer little to no customization options, so if you’re looking for a tailored piece, this might not be the best option for you.
• Freelancer: Another option is to hire a freelancer to take care of your video needs, in which case we’re talking about an investment of up to $3,000 per minute. It’s key to find a skilled professional who’s capable of working within your timelines to deliver a quality animated ad, although I’ll be the first to agree that that’s not always easy to find.
• Mid-Tier Animation Studio: If you want to go one step further, you can look for small-size video companies that charge between $3,000 and $7,000 per minute. The staff is usually made up of less than five people, so they might not be able to take on large projects or work on tight deadlines, but they should be experienced and capable enough to deliver a solid custom video.
• Professional-Level Animation Company: Made of an entire crew of producers, animators, editors, scriptwriters, and so on, these bigger studios typically charge anywhere between $8,000 and $25,000 per minute. While I know this might sound like a big investment to some, these companies are, in most cases, highly experienced in handling multiple projects of all sizes while keeping everything organized and on schedule while ensuring your cartoon advertisement is fully customized.

Wrapping Up!

Nowadays, commercial cartoon advertisements and animated ads are bigger than ever!

With interactions through social media occupying more of a central role in digital marketing, creating cartoon ads that grab audiences’ attention is essential to staying relevant. And if that piece is of the highest quality and is able to resonate with your viewers, the results will show it. Working with a high-quality company that provides animated video services is always a good option for this.

As we’ve seen in today’s animation examples, the variety of styles and abundance of approaches at your disposal makes the medium a powerful marketing tool. If you use it right, that is.

So, it’s time you take these cool advertisement examples and animation ideas for inspiration and begin working on your own! As you might’ve noticed, animation ads can go anywhere from product videos to brand videos and anything in between.

If you can imagine it, you can bring it to life with cartoon advertisements.