Did you know that 65% of businesses use animation in their marketing strategies? And if you’re wondering if it’s effective, consider this: 80% of users are more likely to watch an entire video if it’s animated. It’s no wonder that animation has become an increasingly popular tool for businesses to grab attention, convey their message, and ultimately, drive conversions.
Animation videos offer an unparalleled level of flexibility and adaptability, making them a perfect choice for various types of content such as product demos, explainer videos, social media content, and even TV commercials. Animation provides infinite possibilities to create unique and imaginative environments and scenarios that can bring your story to life. By tailoring the animation to the target audience, it can become a powerful marketing tool that showcases your message with ease.
Brief History of Animation
Animation has come a long way since its early days as a simple way to capture people’s attention. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to explore the history of animation in marketing, and how it has evolved into a powerful art form in its own right.
The roots of animation can be traced back to the 1800s when the Thaumatropes, a disc with different images on both sides, were invented. By spinning the disc faster and faster, the images on both sides appear as one, creating the illusion of movement. It is considered an early form of animation as it tricks the brain into perceiving objects moving on their own.
In 1906, J. Stuart Blackton’s “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” marked the first successful series of film-based animation and became an instant hit with audiences across New York City. Initially, animation was used merely to entertain people. However, brands soon realized their potential in advertisements to keep viewers engaged and incorporated it into their marketing strategy.
Here are some of the earliest examples of animation in marketing that can be found in product commercials, Pepsodent’s toothpaste ad from 1928 is an early example of how animation was used in marketing to create engaging and entertaining content. The ad featured an animated character named Pepsodent Pete, who danced and sang about the benefits of using Pepsodent toothpaste. The character was designed to be fun and memorable, making it an effective tool for promoting the product.
Pepsodent Toothpaste – Old Commercial with a jingle.
Other than Pepsodent, there’s also Kraft’s cheese commercial in the 1930s-
Kraft Mac & Cheese Commercial – Animaniacs
In the 1980s, companies began to use more photo-realistic computer-generated imagery (CGI) for special effects in commercials and films. By the 1990s, CGI had developed to a point where the difference between real-life cinematography and CGI was barely noticeable, as seen in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Jurassic Park. Companies then used animation to promote their brands, as they saw how it impacted their market. Weetabix Weetos Cereal is one of the successful examples.
1992 Weetabix Weetos Professor Advert
The success of DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek in 2001 led to computer animation outgrowing other animation techniques in the US and other parts of the world. Traditional techniques have decreased in use every year since then, with computer programs replacing them. Cell-shading, which began to gain popularity after Sega’s Dreamcast console release in America, is now an easier way to create high-quality animations that mimic the look and feel of traditional animation.
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In 2022, Samsung Galaxy S22 Series used a new form of animation in their marketing, taking it to a whole new level.
Samsung S22 Tiger in the City 3D Ad
The history of animation in marketing is fascinating, and it shows how the power of animation has evolved and transformed over time. Today, animation is an effective way to grab people’s attention and deliver a clear message. If you’re looking for a creative way to market your business, animation is an excellent option to consider as your imagination has no limits.
How Animation is the Future of Marketing and Advertising?
Animation in business has become a mainstream storytelling tool for many brands to share their unique brand stories. But how does animation help marketing? Let’s discover how animation is becoming the driving force of today’s marketing strategy.
Captivating Visuals
Consumers are more inclined to watch a video than read an article about a product or service. With the power of animation, businesses can effectively communicate their message in a visually appealing and easily digestible way. Unlike other mediums, animation can create anything the mind can imagine, making it the perfect tool for showcasing a product or service in a unique and captivating way. Whether it’s through hand-drawn illustrations or cutting-edge CGI, animation has the power to bring even the most complex ideas to life. By utilizing the vibrant and eye-catching nature of animation, businesses can ensure that their message is heard loud and clear by their target audience.
Improve Brand Recall
Animated commercials can leave a lasting impact on viewers, and the possibilities for creativity are virtually endless. Your brand can stand out from the competition and be easily remembered by incorporating unique elements such as humor or mascots into your animated marketing. With the power of animation, countless brands have successfully captured widespread appeal and recognition through their captivating videos.
Reusability
Animation is not only visually appealing but also offers a unique advantage of reusability in marketing and advertising. Unlike live-action videos, creating a computer animation is a one-time investment. The resources used, such as models and character designs, can be easily accessed and refined to meet future marketing requirements. This ensures that your marketing material remains future-proof and can be edited as needed, saving you both time and money. With animation, you can create marketing materials that have a long shelf life and can be repurposed for various campaigns, making it a smart investment for any business.
Enhance Engagement
Captivating an audience with content has become an increasingly challenging task, especially where attention spans are getting shorter. However, incorporating animated elements such as text and images can easily capture their attention as animation is inherently interesting. With full control over the animated world, brands can create a unique and interactive experience that evokes active participation from their audience. By using commercial animation, you can breathe life into even the most complex ideas and bring them to life in any setting you can imagine, making your audience feel more connected to your brand and its products or services.
Your Message
With Animation
Transform Your Message With Animation
Reduced Cost and Time
Animated videos offer a high return on investment, as they can significantly reduce advertisement costs. Animated videos don’t require time-consuming and costly outdoor shootings, setups, or actors, compared to let’s say live-action video, which can drastically reduce production costs. This makes creating a commercial or educational animation a more cost-effective and efficient option compared to other marketing materials. Additionally, the versatility of animation allows for options to fit different budget sizes. Startups with tighter budgets can opt for simpler animations, while larger companies with more financial resources can invest in high-end animations to stand out from their competitors.
Bring Your Product to Life With Animation!
Don’t settle for ordinary – let the power of animation take your marketing to the next level. Adding animation to your marketing strategy can be an effective way to make your product or business stand out from the crowd. Animation offers a unique and eye-catching way to market your product, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
