It used to be that getting everyone’s attention was a huge challenge. Television and newspaper ads and billboards were frightfully expensive.
But today, thanks to the internet, everyone has a voice!
But it’s a double edged sword because, well– again, everyone has a voice. So yours just gets lost in the noise.
With every business vying for attention, having a strong brand strategy is more important than ever before.
But how do you cut through the noise and make your brand unforgettable?
Enter animated videos. These dynamic visuals don’t just captivate; they convey your brand’s message with clarity and creativity.
They grab and hold the viewer’s attention like no other format out there, and boast amazing memory retention and emotional impact.
By blending storytelling with vibrant visuals, animated videos are a powerful tool in shaping successful brand strategies.
This blog will dive into how animated videos can elevate your brand strategy and set you apart from the competition.
Source: Bumblebee Branding Company
A brand strategy is the comprehensive plan that outlines how your brand will be perceived by your target audience.
You can think of it as your roadmap guiding every aspect of your brand, from messaging and design to customer interactions and marketing campaigns.
A successful brand strategy ensures that your brand is consistently communicated across all platforms and resonates with your audience, fostering loyalty and trust.
A good brand strategy is the backbone of your business.
It encompasses your brand’s mission, vision, and values, as well as your unique selling proposition (USP) and market positioning.
Without a strong brand strategy, your marketing efforts may lack direction and fail to create a lasting impact.
Source: Visme
Without a solid brand strategy, your business risks becoming just another voice in a crowded marketplace.
A well-defined brand strategy helps you stand out, build trust, and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
It provides clarity on who you are as a brand, what you stand for, and how you communicate with your customers.
A brand strategy also ensures consistency across all touchpoints. Whether it’s your website, social media, or advertising, your brand message should be cohesive and recognizable.
Consistency builds credibility, making it easier for customers to trust and engage with your brand.
Moreover, a strong brand strategy sets the foundation for long-term success.
It guides your marketing decisions, influences customer perception, and ultimately drives business growth.
In a world where consumers are bombarded with choices, a well-executed brand strategy can be the difference between being noticed and being forgotten.
Source: Breadnbeyond x Medium
Animated videos have become a cornerstone of modern brand strategy.
They offer a unique blend of entertainment and education, making them an effective tool for capturing attention and conveying complex messages.
Whether you’re launching a new product, explaining a service, or telling your brand’s story, animated videos can do it all.
The versatility of animated videos is unmatched.
They can be tailored to fit any brand’s personality, whether you’re aiming for playful, professional, or somewhere in between.
Animated videos are also highly shareable, increasing your brand’s reach and visibility across digital platforms.
Furthermore, animated videos enhance your brand’s storytelling capabilities.
Through engaging visuals and dynamic narratives, they bring your brand to life, making it more relatable and memorable.
In an era where video content reigns supreme, incorporating animated videos into your brand strategy is not just a trend – it’s a necessity.
Source: Crystal Clear Communications
One of the key elements of a successful brand strategy is clear messaging.
Your audience needs to understand what your brand stands for, what it offers, and why they should choose you.
Animated videos excel in simplifying complex ideas and breaking them down into easily digestible content.
For example, an explainer video can take a complicated product or service and present it in a way that’s both informative and engaging.
The combination of visuals, text, and voiceovers ensures that your message is communicated clearly and effectively, leaving no room for confusion.
Source: Freepik
First impressions matter, and the quality of your visuals plays a significant role in shaping how your brand is perceived.
High-quality animated videos can elevate your brand’s image, making it look more professional and polished.
Investing in well-crafted animations shows that your brand is serious about its presentation and values quality.
Whether it’s a sleek motion graphic or a stunning 3D animation, high-quality visuals can make your brand stand out and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Source: Hound Studio
At the heart of every successful brand strategy is a compelling story.
Storytelling is what connects your brand to your audience on an emotional level.
Animated videos are a powerful storytelling medium, allowing you to craft narratives that resonate with your viewers.
Whether you’re sharing your brand’s origin story, showcasing customer success stories, or illustrating how your product solves a problem, animated videos make your story come to life.
The combination of visuals, sound, and motion captures attention and keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Source: Figma
Consistency is key in building brand recognition and trust.
Animated videos allow you to maintain consistent branding across all your marketing efforts.
From the color scheme and logo placement to the tone of voice and messaging, every element of your brand can be seamlessly integrated into your animated content.
By using animation to reinforce your brand’s visual identity and voice, you create a cohesive brand experience that resonates with your audience.
This consistency helps solidify your brand in the minds of consumers, making it easier for them to recognize and remember you.
Source: Selzy
A strong call to action (CTA) is essential for driving conversions and achieving your marketing goals.
Animated videos can be designed to lead viewers toward a specific action, whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, purchasing a product, or contacting your sales team.
The dynamic nature of animation allows you to emphasize your CTA in a way that’s both compelling and visually appealing.
Whether it’s through an animated button, a voiceover prompt, or an engaging visual cue, animated videos ensure that your CTA doesn’t go unnoticed.
You know when you’re stuck on a major purchase and can’t decide which option to pick? What do you do? You probably ask your friends first, and maybe check reviews online.
A brand can brag and flex through massive slick advertising campaigns all it wants.
But what really convinces you to trust them, is when other consumers share stories about their personal experiences with that brand.
That’s the power of the testimonial. And it’s a form of brand video that’s as potent as it is natural.
It doesn’t come off as “sales-y” or trigger the viewer’s skepticism like typical marketing material often does.
Here’s a brilliant example by Erie Insurance, crafted by Yeah Haus.
It’s not flashy or aggressive, just three stories from real Erie clients, and how the company came through for them when they needed it most.
It’s simple, natural, almost conversational. And it works because it feels more like you’re being shown hard proof, rather than being offered a lot of promises.
Google’s GSuite hardly needs an introduction. Just about everyone uses it today.
But we forget that when they first announced it, the idea was radical at the time.
And selling this would have been a huge challenge for anyone else, but not Google, a company known for thinking out of the box and proudly defying convention.
When you set out to break paradigms like this, it’s important to evoke the viewer’s imagination, to introduce the idea of trying something radically new.
This teases their curiosity and makes them wonder what you’re about to reveal.
So their video starts with “if this was how it could be,” which sets the viewer up to consider and expect something different from the norm.
GiantAnt’s animation is absolutely on point, clean and minimalistic like Google’s signature look and feel.
The choice of laid-back classic rock is also unconventional and sets the tone, making it clear this isn’t your typical tech product video.
Notice also how the video doesn’t go into detail about all the tech specs and features.
Rather, it pains a vivid picture of how it would feel to use these interconnected apps easily and seamlessly, whether in a conference room or working remotely.
And you know it would be simple, efficient and reliable because it’s Google running the show.
That’s why this isn’t so much a product video as a brilliant example of a brand video.
SAP, the German powerhouse in enterprise software, specializes in creating solutions that streamline customer relations and optimize business operations.
OrdinaryFolk, the studio behind this captivating animated video, expertly crafts a narrative that immediately connects with its target audience— existing SAP customers.
The video opens with a clear and engaging hook that draws viewers in, making it clear that this message is tailor-made for them.
The voiceover weaves a compelling story, with statements like, “Helping our customers move mountains, change the world, and redefine what’s possible,” deepening the audience’s interest with each smooth transition.
The moment the narrator declares, “And we’ll make it available whenever and wherever our customers need it,” you can feel the anticipation build. It’s a brilliant way to make SAP’s solutions not just desirable but essential.
The character animated video wraps up on a powerful note, addressing the deeper, almost philosophical needs of its users: “Because our customers deserve nothing short of the impossible. We are here to deliver it!”
Thanks to OrdinaryFolk’s stunning compositions and clever transitions, this animated piece stands out as one of the best examples of infographic videos, blending visual beauty with impactful storytelling.
This could be one of the best animated brand videos we’ve ever seen.
The animation, by GiantAnt, is simply gorgeous and a feast for your eyes.
But it’s the script that really sweeps us off our feet.
When the narrator goes “as a business, social media can feel like a party you’re not invited to,” it just grabs you on a gut level.
The hook is in and you’re paying full attention.
It’s something that we can all relate to.
With social media, you’re a drop in the ocean, and it’s such a struggle to get noticed.
And that’s where Hootsuite comes in, guns blazing, to save the day.
It’s a stunning 3D brand video and really raises the bar when it comes to animated storytelling for business.
So what is a brand video, exactly?
If you had to explain it to someone who has no clue about marketing, you could just show them this video.
A brand video isn’t just saying “hello, we are a company and we exist.” It’s far deeper than that.
One way to explain it is that it’s a portrait of the brand’s “personality,” for lack of a better word.
Which is a challenge in and of itself, coming off as sincere and genuine, rather than throwing out a lot of cool but ultimately meaningless buzzwords.
You might be surprised if we tell you that one of the most basic rules of storytelling was used here, even though there doesn’t seem to be any story in this video.
It doesn’t even have a narrator.
But that rule is “show, don’t tell.” This animated brand video by the geniuses at Buck takes the viewer on an audio-visual odyssey where emotions are invoked vividly, rather than dry facts dispensed.
It’s more of a gut-level impact than just communicating some information.
For a well-established, serious company like IBM, this shake-up of their image was a creative risk– but it works.
The mixed-media style animation is dazzling and unconventional, and the choice of music is quirky and playful, even a touch dorky, but that’s why it works.
Most people expect whiteboard videos to be static shots supported by voiceover.
But this video for Ford aims far higher.
With a lot of colors and animated objects, this video is immersive and engaging, featuring live-action shots along with whiteboard animation.
And that sets it apart from the usual stereotypical whiteboard videos.
The best part of this video is how it covers everything and leaves you wanting more in just 15 seconds.
This campaign was designed around the message of “it's easy to get into a Ford” and it does justice to the message.
The Sherwin-Williams Company is an American Fortune 500 company whose area of expertise lies in the general building materials industry. They provide innovative paint solutions.
So right there, not a lot to get excited about, right?
You’d expect a fairly straightforward, dry video with maybe some moderately interesting facts about the paint industry.
But with Buck at the helm, they unleashed their creativity and imagination and told a fantastic story through stunningly beautiful 3D animation.
We live in a beautiful world of rich color and diversity.
So rather than just talk about paint, this video for Sherwin-Williams celebrates the joy of color, taking your breath away and leaving you with the question: “Where will color take you?”
Just gorgeous!
Making a video about, say, a car is one thing.
You set up nice slick shots in strong lighting and make everything look clean and polished and cool.
It’s all pretty straightforward.
But what do you do if the subject is something intangible– something you cannot really see or touch?
Like, say, an ocean of countless zeroes and ones flying across the internet?
This is one area where animation for business really shines. Because with animation, you’re really only limited by your imagination.
You can use metaphors and symbols to explain concepts and tell a good story.
McAfee is one of the most popular cybersecurity software firms in the world.
And when they came to us, they wanted to launch and explain their latest solutions with branded video content.
So we crafted this mixed-media style video to instantly grab their audience’s attention, hold their interest, and stand out from the crowd.
It personalizes their offering in a more natural and human way, and it was specifically designed so that anyone could grasp and understand the offering, even without a heavily technical background in IT.
For this whiteboard video, TCB wanted to convey the values that guide the company’s daily actions and how they support its vision.
They also wanted to talk about the company’s work culture and ethics that enable the staff to deliver on their goals.
So the videos were made in an easy-to-grasp manner using whiteboard animation, so the viewers and various stakeholders could all understand it easily.
But also notice how we crafted it to highlight the brand personality of TCB, rather than go into tedious detail about their various projects.
The idea was to humanize and personalize the brand and their team’s generous, energetic spirit of helping others.
They say money makes the world go round.
But those in the know would argue that it’s really the financial industry to thank for it.
However, this world of bankers and money men in suits can often feel cold and impersonal.
And this isn’t helped by the common man finding the minutiae and jargon rather baffling and alien.
That’s why we went for a testimonial style when M&M Financial asked us to create a brand video for them.
By using everyday people and the power of storytelling, we presented a human and personal face to this financial juggernaut, depicting a team that cares for its clients and sees them as much more than just numbers and accounts.
The most important thing to remember when communicating your offering to your audience is that all business is about people– people who need to trust you before they can decide to partner with you. And this video serves as just another example of that concept at work.
When you’re the world’s biggest vendor for creative software aimed at artists, designers, and filmmakers, your messaging must speak their language– and it’s gotta be visually stunning.
And this brand video for Adobe does not disappoint!
Bursting with lush color and slick, delicious graphics, it feels as though you’re on a journey through the very mind of an artist.
It’s wildly imaginative and draws you in from start to finish.
It doesn’t even have a script, but the song “Pure Imagination” is just perfect as a soundtrack to this kaleidoscope joyride.
We keep saying that a good animated video is more art than science, and if this brand video doesn’t prove that adage, then nothing will.
This animated video, narrated by Vans skateboarding legend: Jeff Grosso, talks about how Vans kick-started and how people began loving their shoes and how all kinds of people could wear them.
The animation fused with real life-images looks fantastic and intriguing.
The visuals in this brand story video beautifully knit together Vans’ milestones across 50 years of its existence.
Peppy background music, an enthusiastic voice-over and swiftly moving surreal animation make this video a visual treat!
We often tell our clients that every brand has a story to tell, and that all businesses are really all about people and winning their trust. And that’s not just marketing hype, we really mean it.
Take this video, for example. Created by Buck, this lovely character animated video revolves around two proactive thinkers and how they chose not to sit back and comment on the ideas of environmental protection and bringing people together but instead took the initiative to do something great about it.
These two visionaries felt that when we are shut off in our cars, we are shut off from each other.
Here’s this video, which beautifully narrates how this peer-to-peer ride-sharing community Lyft, transformed from a dream into reality.
Also, a very futuristic and forward-looking ending to the video leaves viewers with the note that there’s more to come!
This mixed media video is one of the best storytelling videos; created by Scott Albini, it narrates the journey of how a seemingly impossible idea became a global sensation and a household name.
This is the story of how Wolverine Worldwide gave birth to one of its most iconic brands: Hush Puppies!
And, if you are wondering how the “Hush Puppies” name was coined, this video has a chucklesome account of that too!
Soft drink giant Coca-Cola has one of the most consistent marketing strategies spread across decades.
It has come to be associated with love, community, and care. Have a look at their 2019 Super Bowl Commercial here.
The ad is inspired by Andy Warhol’s famous saying “A Coke is a Coke, and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking.”
The marketers took this message of inclusivity to the next level in this iconic commercial. The ad brings people from different ethnicities, sexualities, and classes, on a single platform.
It was quite intelligent because the audience of this ad, the Super Bowl attendees, were also a part of a hugely diverse pool.
The way it connects with the company is the way the mood board is designed which heavily relies on Coca-Cola’s brand colors: red and black.
The “A Coke is a Coke” ad reached more than 20 thousand people just on YouTube.
Further, animation provides a higher level of freedom to incorporate multiple themes.
For example, the transitions that the video incorporates, like the turning of a gorilla into a girl would require high-level computer-generated graphics if done in a live-action video.
No doubt Coca-Cola decided to go forward with this mode of video making for their most important campaign.
While it’s easier to market a soft drink since it’s so common in our culture, it seems like selling a tech product with an animated video might be a big task. But nope. It’s all fun.
Have a look at Slack’s concise and well-animated marketing video ad which brought around a 1 million views on YouTube alone.
Here, the ad is divided into two parts.
The first part of the ad is focused on the issue and how traditional methods to solve the problem are time-consuming and harder to manage.
In the second part of the ad, we see how exactly Slack is able to solve those issues using their technology and connecting the users with relevant features and people.
Although it doesn’t feel this way at the start, the most important feature of this animation would be the story format.
Lastly, the animation style this video uses is called motion graphics, which uses shapes and their reshaping to craft animation product videos.
Usually, it’s more affordable and budget-friendly than other forms of animation styles.
And we can plainly see how this all comes together to make a powerful impact!
While animated videos offer numerous benefits, producing high-quality animations requires expertise and creativity.
Choosing the right brand video production company is crucial to ensuring that your animated videos align with your brand strategy and deliver the desired results.
When selecting a production company, consider their portfolio, experience, and understanding of your brand’s goals.
Look for a team that can bring your vision to life and has a track record of creating impactful animated videos.
Collaboration is key, so choose a partner who listens to your ideas and works with you to craft a video that truly represents your brand.
Animated videos have proven to be a powerful tool in building a successful brand strategy.
By delivering clear messaging, high-quality visuals, engaging storytelling, consistent branding, and compelling calls to action, animated videos can elevate your brand and set you apart from the competition.
Incorporating animated videos into your marketing efforts is not just a trend – it’s a strategic move that can drive engagement, build trust, and ultimately boost your brand’s success.
So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your existing strategy, now is the time to embrace the power of animation and unlock the full potential of your brand!
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