The Best Video Ads of All Time (And What We Can Learn From Them)

Video advertising has shaped the way brands connect with audiences, turning products into cultural phenomena and commercials into memorable experiences. The best ads don’t just sell a product. They tell a story, evoke emotions, and create lasting impressions.

From humor and nostalgia to social commentary and emotional appeal, the most iconic video ads in history have all left their mark. Below, we share some of the best video ads of all time, why they worked, and what lessons marketers can take away.

5 best video ads ever made (and why they worked)

Great video ads have the power to captivate and leave a lasting impression. They don't just promote products, they resonate with audiences on a deeper emotional level, making viewers feel something memorable. 

From awe-inspiring storytelling to humor that connects instantly, these ads set the standard for marketing excellence:

1. Nike – “You Can’t Stop Us” (2020)

What made this ad stand out: This ad is a visual masterpiece, using split-screen editing to show athletes and moments from various sports, seamlessly blending them together. The message is that no matter what happens, we keep pushing forward. It’s about unity, perseverance, and embracing challenges—something we can all relate to, especially during tough times like the global pandemic.

Why it worked:

• Incredible editing: The split-screen technique wasn’t just eye-catching—it told a powerful story about how different athletes, moments, and communities are all connected by resilience. The smooth transitions made the pacing feel fast and dynamic, keeping viewers hooked from start to finish.
• Perfect timing: Released during the pandemic, this ad tapped right into the collective feeling of struggle and resilience. It didn’t just advertise a product—it connected with people on a deeply emotional level, making it feel timely and relevant.
• Aligned with Nike’s Brand: The ad spoke to Nike’s core message of determination and inclusivity. The brand didn’t just sell sportswear; it sold the idea that you can always push through obstacles, no matter the odds. This consistency in messaging makes Nike’s brand feel authentic and reliable.

Takeaways:

• Use creative visuals to tell a story: Make your visuals work for the message, not just the aesthetics. Nike’s clever editing kept viewers engaged by tying together athletes, communities, and moments.
• Tap into current events: Timing is everything. Nike connected to the global sentiment during the pandemic, making the ad feel relevant and timely. Align your ad with what people are feeling or experiencing.
• Stay true to your brand values: Nike’s ad reinforced its core message of perseverance. Ensure your ads reflect your brand’s values, as consistency builds trust.
• Create emotional connections: Emotion drives action. Nike’s ad inspired empowerment—use emotion to connect with your audience and leave a lasting impact.
• Show resilience and unity: Nike highlighted the power of community, not just individuals. Position your brand as a force for unity or overcoming challenges to strengthen customer bonds.

2. Apple – “Shot on iPhone” Campaign (Ongoing)

What made this ad stand out: The “Shot on iPhone” campaign didn’t focus on flashy, high-budget commercials but instead celebrated the product’s capabilities by showcasing real-world, user-generated content. Apple invited everyday iPhone users to share their stunning photos and videos, proving that ordinary people could create professional-quality content with just an iPhone. The ads featured breathtaking visuals of everyday life—landscapes, family moments, and travel experiences—all captured with an iPhone, turning a simple product feature into a cultural phenomenon.

Why it worked:

• Authenticity: By leveraging user-generated content, Apple presented an authentic, relatable message. This resonated deeply with audiences because it showed that anyone—whether a professional photographer or an everyday user—could create beautiful moments with the product.
• Low-pressure branding: The campaign didn’t aggressively push features. Instead, it allowed the product’s performance to shine through visually stunning content, letting the iPhone speak for itself. This subtlety made the ad feel more organic and less like a typical sales pitch.
• Wide appeal: It connected with a broad audience by showing how the iPhone could enhance anyone’s life, no matter their background or profession. It made people feel like they were part of something larger—a community of iPhone users capturing and sharing moments globally.

Takeaways:

• Use real user-generated content: Feature everyday users to make your campaign feel authentic and relatable, increasing trust and engagement.
• Demonstrate value subtly: Let your product’s performance speak for itself. Focus on how it enhances the customer experience without heavy-handed selling.
• Keep content fresh and evolving: Refresh your campaign with new formats and content to maintain long-term engagement and relevance.
• Tap into emotions and aspirations: Connect with your audience by showing how your product can enrich their lives, evoking emotions like joy and inspiration.
• Foster community: Encourage customers to share their experiences, building a loyal community around your brand.
  
  

3. Uber Eats – “Tonight I’ll Be Eating” (2022)

What made this ad stand out: The campaign featured surprise celebrity pairings, like Mark Hamill and Patrick Stewart, who humorously shared their Uber Eats orders. The clever dialogue, funny interactions, and offbeat chemistry between the stars grabbed attention and kept viewers laughing. Uber Eats cleverly used familiar faces to appeal to a broad audience while focusing on the convenience and variety the service offers.

Why it worked:

• Unexpected celebrity pairings created buzz and caught the audience off guard, generating viral engagement.
• Lighthearted humor made the product feel more approachable and entertaining, rather than just transactional.
• The use of nostalgic characters from iconic franchises (like Star Wars) appealed to a wide, cross-generational audience.
• The ads showcased Uber Eats’ service variety while entertaining viewers, making it more memorable.

Takeaways:

• Leverage humor and star power: Pairing recognizable celebrities in unexpected ways can generate attention and create viral content. If celebrity endorsements are out of reach, consider leveraging influencers, relatable personas, or strong storytelling to build buzz.
• Create memorable, shareable moments: Focus on crafting moments that people want to talk about or share—this leads to organic buzz.
• Appeal across generations: Nostalgia combined with humor can resonate with different age groups, expanding your audience reach.
• Keep the focus on your product’s core benefit: Make sure that even in a humorous ad, the message about your product’s value comes through clearly.

4. Heineken – “Cheers to All” (2020)

What made this ad stand out: Heineken took a lighthearted approach to challenging gender stereotypes in drinking culture. The ad humorously flips expectations by showing men ordering cocktails and women choosing beer, breaking the outdated assumption that certain drinks are meant for specific genders. This clever execution makes the ad both entertaining and socially relevant.

Why it worked:

• Subverted expectations in a playful way: By showing people casually ordering drinks that defy traditional gender norms, the ad kept viewers engaged while subtly delivering a progressive message. The humor made the message approachable rather than confrontational.
• Balanced social commentary with entertainment: Instead of lecturing or taking a heavy-handed approach, Heineken used a witty, well-edited sequence to highlight how drink choices shouldn’t be dictated by stereotypes. This made it easy for audiences to absorb and appreciate the message.
• Reinforced Heineken’s inclusive brand image: Heineken has a history of supporting inclusivity and progressiveness in its marketing. This ad stayed true to its brand values while still feeling fresh, relevant, and enjoyable to watch.

Takeaways:

• Challenge outdated norms with a fresh perspective: Ads that question common assumptions can feel refreshing and thought-provoking. If your brand stands for inclusivity or progress, find creative ways to express it without being preachy.
• Use humor to make serious topics approachable: People respond better to messages wrapped in humor rather than direct confrontation. A well-executed joke or visual gag can make an ad more engaging while still driving home an important point.
• Ensure your message aligns with your brand identity: Heineken didn’t just create a fun ad, it reinforced its long-term commitment to inclusivity. Make sure your messaging feels authentic and consistent with your brand’s values to build trust with your audience.

5. Tesco – Christmas Advert (2023)

What made this ad stand out: Tesco’s 2023 Christmas ad takes an emotional storytelling approach, following Gary as he navigates grief after losing his grandmother. Through the act of building a gingerbread house with his grandfather, he finds comfort, connection, and a sense of healing. The ad masterfully blends sorrow with warmth, capturing the essence of family togetherness during the holidays.

Why it worked:

• Emotionally powerful storytelling: The ad taps into themes of love, loss, and healing, making it deeply relatable to audiences who associate the holidays with both joy and nostalgia. By focusing on a personal moment rather than overtly pushing products, Tesco strengthens its emotional connection with viewers.
• Authenticity and warmth: The ad avoids feeling overly sentimental or forced, instead using subtle moments like shared glances and quiet interactions to convey emotion. This makes the story feel genuine and universally understood.
• Resonates with the spirit of the holidays: Rather than focusing on indulgence or shopping, Tesco highlights the importance of family, tradition, and small acts of kindness—values that align perfectly with the holiday season and reinforce Tesco’s role as a brand that brings people together.

Takeaways:

• Use storytelling to create an emotional connection: A compelling narrative that reflects real-life emotions can make an ad more memorable and meaningful. Don’t just sell a product—sell a feeling or experience that resonates with your audience.
• Subtle branding can be powerful: Tesco doesn’t rely on heavy product placement but instead weaves its brand naturally into the story. Sometimes, the best way to build affinity is to focus on the message rather than the sale.
• Tap into universal themes: Whether it’s family, tradition, or resilience, finding a theme that audiences deeply relate to can make an ad more impactful. Holidays, in particular, provide an opportunity to lean into themes of love, nostalgia, and connection.

How to create a killer video ad (and edit it with AI)

Great video ads don’t happen by accident. They grab attention in the first few seconds, spark an emotional response, and leave a lasting impression. But with short attention spans and fierce competition for eyeballs, marketers need to be strategic about how they craft and edit their ads.

By focusing on key storytelling techniques and leveraging AI-powered editing tools, you can create video ads that not only engage but also convert. Here’s how to do it.

Start with a strong story or hook

The first few seconds of your video ad are crucial. If you don’t grab attention immediately, viewers will scroll past. Start with a visually striking or unexpected moment to draw people in. Your core message should be clear within the opening moments, whether through compelling imagery, a bold statement, or an intriguing question. Keep the pacing dynamic to sustain engagement throughout the ad.

Appeal to emotion

Emotionally driven ads consistently outperform those that rely solely on logic. Whether you use humor, nostalgia, inspiration, or empathy, evoking emotion makes your ad more memorable and shareable. Pairing visuals with a carefully chosen soundtrack or voiceover can enhance emotional impact, reinforcing the message and making the ad resonate with viewers on a deeper level.

Keep it simple and clear

A cluttered ad can dilute your message and overwhelm viewers. Stick to one primary message or call to action, ensuring it’s easy to understand at a glance. Use concise language, strong visuals, and a clear brand presence to reinforce your key takeaway without unnecessary distractions. A streamlined, focused ad is more likely to leave a lasting impression.

Be authentic and consistent with your brand voice

Authenticity fosters trust. Your ad should reflect your brand’s personality, values, and tone in a way that feels genuine. Whether your brand is playful, sophisticated, or bold, maintain consistency across different campaigns to reinforce recognition and credibility. Audiences connect with brands that feel real, so avoid overly polished or insincere messaging.

Optimize your ad for multiple platforms

Not all platforms are created equal—what works on YouTube may not be effective on TikTok or Instagram. Tailor your ad’s length, format, and messaging to fit the nuances of each platform. Use platform-specific features like captions for silent viewing, overlays for added context, and different aspect ratios for maximum visibility. A/B testing different versions of your ad can help determine what resonates best with your audience on each channel.

Editing your video ad with VEED’s AI tools

Creating a great ad is only half the battle—editing is where the magic happens. VEED’s AI-powered tools help marketers streamline the editing process, making it faster and easier to produce high-quality, engaging video ads.

• AI Clips: Automatically generate short, attention-grabbing clips from longer footage, perfect for social media ads.
• Auto Subtitles: Add accurate subtitles instantly to improve accessibility and increase watch time, especially on platforms where users watch videos on mute.
• AI Avatars: Use AI-generated avatars to create scalable, engaging ads without needing on-camera talent. Ideal for product explainers, localized campaigns, and brand storytelling.
• Magic Cut: Remove silences, filler words, and awkward pauses automatically, ensuring a polished final cut with minimal effort.

With these AI-powered tools, marketers can cut down production time, maintain consistency, and create video ads that stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Make every frame count

Video ads remain one of the most powerful tools for capturing attention, driving engagement, and leaving a lasting impact. The most effective ads prove that the right mix of creativity, authenticity, and strategic editing can make all the difference.

The core elements of a great video ad are timeless: a strong hook, emotional appeal, clarity of message, and brand consistency. By applying these principles—and leveraging AI-powered tools like VEED to streamline production—you can create video ads that not only engage but also convert.