How Brands Use Emotion, Storytelling & Visuals to Captivate Audiences
Using high-quality, inspiring promotional videos to interact with customers in a short period of time is a powerful tool for businesses.
This is mostly because nowadays, individuals do not read an article or blog post as thoroughly as they did years ago. As a result, businesses must put in more effort than ever before to create more motivating videos and therefore, connect with their audiences. As online attention spans shrink, capturing interest quickly and meaningfully is essential, and video remains the most engaging format available.
Studies show that the average user retains 95% of a message when it’s delivered via video, compared to just 10% when reading text. Yet, it’s not just about video — it’s about crafting the right kind of video.
Why Inspirational Promotional Videos Work
Rather than simply showcasing a product, inspiring promotional videos stir emotions, build trust, and position brands as relatable, forward-thinking, and value-driven. They often:
- Spark empathy or aspiration
- Use storytelling over hard selling
- Visually align with brand identity
- Drive viewers to take action — without feeling sold to
Thanks to social media, digital platforms, and improved production technology, it’s easier than ever for businesses of all sizes to create high-impact promotional content.
To help inspire your next campaign, here are six excellent promotional video examples — each with a unique approach that can offer creative direction for your own marketing efforts.
But First… How Much Do Promotional Videos Cost?
Before diving into the examples, it’s important to understand that video production costs can vary significantly. As mentioned in our previous blog, promotional video budgets typically range from £500 to over £50,000.
We can determine the cost not only by the simplicity of use but also by the length of the project among many other factors:
Key cost factors include:
- Video length
- Production complexity
- Location and talent requirements
- Animation or special effects
- Distribution strategy
Whether you’re aiming for a cinematic brand piece or a short, animated explainer, there’s a format for every budget — and the examples below span a wide range of styles and investments.
6 (+1) Promotional Video Examples (and their analysis)
Here you can find a complete list with several successful examples of promotional videos. They worked for their respective companies, so maybe some of them may inspire your next marketing strategy!
1. Nike – Am I a Bad Person?
Type: Brand Storytelling
Tone: Reflective, Bold, Aspirational
Notable Feature: Willem Dafoe voice-over
This Nike spot is a masterclass in identity-driven marketing. It doesn’t focus on any specific product. Instead, it explores the inner conflicts and ambitions of everyday people, echoing Nike’s “Just Do It” ethos. With a contemplative voice-over and strong visual storytelling, Nike inspires self-belief and reaffirms its position as a lifestyle brand, not just a retailer.
📌 Takeaway: Sometimes, the most powerful promotion is selling a mindset, not a product. Focus on your audience’s aspirations and values to deepen brand loyalty.
2. Amazon Alexa – Mission Possible
Type: Feature Demonstration with Entertainment
Tone: Witty, Creative, Tech-Savvy
Collaborators: Mission Impossible franchise
Amazon cleverly uses the Mission Impossible motif to position Alexa as more than a voice assistant — she’s a secret agent for convenience. The playful narrative makes a mundane action (locking a door) feel thrilling, while subtly showcasing functionality.
📌 Takeaway: A little humour and pop culture synergy can turn a standard product demo into a memorable ad. Consider storytelling metaphors that align with your audience’s interests.
3. A Century of Cravings – Uber Eats
Type: Humorous Brand Narrative
Tone: Satirical, Self-Aware, Quirky
Celebrities: Matthew McConaughey, Greta Gerwig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIoMjrfGy28
Now, here it gets interesting. Everybody knows that the main objective for Uber Eats is to make you order food. However, in this ad they are almost going against themselves. How do they do that? By telling you about how football is a conspiracy to make viewers hungry. Hence, with a light-hearted and humorous tone, Uber Eats has made you associate the moment of watching football with the feeling of ordering food.
It even has “validation” of celebrities like Mathew McConaughey or Greta Gerwig, who support this conspiracy theory. And the great par? The brand creates a cultural moment around its service without overtly selling it.
📌 Takeaway: Creativity counts. A well-written script with satirical storytelling and a strong emotional hook can deliver high engagement while remaining light on product focus.
4. ASICS Running – GEL-KAYANO™ 30 , stability never felt better
Asics does a great job introducing its new shoe here. Every-day struggles for runners are pictured in the video. However, Asics proposes its new GEL-KAYANO 30 shoes as the ultimate solution. As a result, you can see how every runner starts to find their rhythm. In addition, a voice over is describing the main characteristics of the new shoe simultaneously. A clever storytelling combined with brilliant visuals make this ad great.
5. Jaguar – Copy Nothing
In this ad, Jaguar breaks away completely from their traditional style. By showing specific messages, they are announcing the new path they are going to follow. With this video, Jaguar is trying to draw a parallelism between the new brand’s identity and how their cars are going to look in the future. It is a game of matching aesthetics, as Jaguar is not interested in promoting any product here but promoting its brand image.
📌 Takeaway: If you’re repositioning or rebranding, use video to showcase your future vision and signal change. Aesthetic alignment and voice-over minimalism work powerfully here.
6. Spotify, Animated Launch Ad
In its earlier growth phase, Spotify used a motion graphics video with no voice-over, just bold animation and upbeat music. It showcased the app’s usability and music discovery features in an intuitive way.
📌 Takeaway:
Motion design is a great option for startups or SaaS companies that want to simplify complex ideas and reach a wide digital audience — without high production costs.
(+1: Self-promotion video: Campbell Clinic)
Type: Personalised Corporate Video
Tone: Trustworthy, Moving, Human-Centred
Production Style: Real people, values
This video (produced by us at Impress Video) exemplifies how putting a face to your business can elevate trust and engagement. By introducing the specialists at Campbell Clinic, the brand makes a human connection with viewers — a smart move in healthcare, where trust is crucial.
📌 Takeaway: Use your promotional video to humanise your brand, highlight real employees, and build emotional resonance. It can help prospective clients feel more confident in choosing your services.
How Can I Improve My Promotional Videos?
Feeling inspired? Here’s how to bring these lessons into your own video strategy:
- Start with your objective. Do you want to sell a product, introduce your brand, or reposition your business?
- Decide on a creative direction. Should it be emotional, playful, tech-savvy, or minimalist?
- Match your video aesthetics to your brand identity. Colour grading, typography, editing style — all matter.
- Keep it simple and structured. Stick to one idea per video. Less is more when it comes to messaging.
- Focus on the viewer’s experience. Think of your video as a story or journey, not just a showcase.
Need a Hand with Your Inspirational Video?
At Impress Video, we specialise in producing high-impact promotional videos that blend cinematic visuals, effective storytelling, and strategic branding. Whether you’re launching a product, elevating your brand, or telling your company story — we’ll help you bring your vision to life.
👉 Get in touch with us and let’s create something inspiring together.