Good branded video content builds a connection with your audience. It helps them see your brand in a unique light — inspirational, heartwarming, or deeply relatable. They’re not focused on selling but on building brand awareness and connecting with the audience.  

Our favorite creative branded videos 

All well-strategized branded videos have one thing in common — they elicit an emotion. 

Let’s dig into some of our favorite branded videos and analyze what makes them unique. 

1. “Farewell to DVDs” by Netflix

This branding video reminds you what subscription entertainment was initially like. Shot from the viewer’s POV, it walks you through getting DVDs via snail mail, popping them into the DVD player, and then repacking them for return. 

While the underlying theme is Netflix’s evolution, nostalgia takes center stage. The novelty of receiving a red envelope in the mail was priceless for subscribers. 

The repetitive ripping and re-mailing of packages also hints at the effort people used to put in … and how easy they have it now. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • Bittersweet endings need storytelling and excellent craftsmanship to make an impact. As a subscriber mails a DVD one last time, an upbeat rhythm takes over. “Thanks for watching” flashes on the screen — thanking subscribers for staying loyal to Netflix throughout its journey.
  • Create an emotional connection with your audience. The video accomplishes this by showing moments where the family is watching TV and the excitement surrounding the arrival of new DVDs in the mail. 

2. “Made for Meaningful Travel” by Rimowa

This video highlights the loneliness that comes with traveling for work. It showcases snippets that are all too familiar for frequent travelers — missed phone calls, voice notes from loved ones, and skipped festivities. It ends on a positive note as the protagonist comes home to a warm and loving family — and we finally see him smile. 

The contrast between the white noise throughout the video and the laughter at the end leaves a lasting impression. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • The more relatable you can make your video, the better — even when you’re selling high-end products. People’s disposable income may change, but the underlying emotions remain the same. Tap into them. 
  • Make your audience feel like a protagonist through your product, not vice versa. Rimowa’s video delves into one person’s life in meticulous detail — his struggles, achievements, and joys. This focus makes it possible for viewers to visualize themselves in his place. 
  • Sounds are powerful, so use them thoughtfully. For example, Rimowa uses honking cars to depict anxiety, eerie silence for loneliness, and a child’s laughter to invoke longing. 

3. “Escape From The Office” by Apple 

This marketing video begins with four co-workers desperately wanting to quit their jobs … and actually going through with it. They start building their own packaging company — from creating an idea vault to hiring a marketing team to shipping multiple orders a day. They’re eventually brought in by their old boss, who wants to buy them out. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • Tried-and-true story frameworks work great for brands too, so don’t hesitate to look to traditional storytelling techniques for your next video. Everyone loves an underdog, and it’s so satisfying to see these mistreated employees strike out on their own and achieve success. 
  • Get goofy. Watching our quirky characters peel out of the parking garage in a tiny car to the sound of DJ Snake and Lil Jon is just fun. Keeping things silly can go a long way toward charming your audience. 

4. “Forever” by The Farmer’s Dog 

This Emmy-nominated video starts with a little girl going through life accompanied by her dog — experiencing puberty, leaving home, and pregnancy. As “Forever” by soul singer Lee Fields plays, the audience journeys with the protagonist. The final shot shows their family, and “nothing matters more than your years together” appears on the screen. 

While emotional pet stories aren’t new, The Farmer’s Dog’s narration is. The interplay of laughter, tears, and mischief reminds us how the companionship of a cherished pet enriches our lives. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • Classics are classics for a reason. They address concepts that have remained constant throughout history — companionship, love, and longing. This video masterfully brings all three together by chronicling a pet’s life as it intertwines with the protagonist’s — highlighting the depth of their shared journey.
  • Punctuating life’s milestones with giggles and tears creates a compelling narrative rhythm. It makes your viewers think about their own milestones and form a subconscious connection with the protagonist. 
  • You can learn more about the making of “Forever” in our Debrief episode.

5. “Breakdown” by Audible 

This laugh-out-loud video shows a driver go through a series of disasters, from dropping her keys in a swamp to her car getting hit by lightning, while she laughs through each misfortune. As the tow truck leaves, she tucks her hair behind her ear, revealing earphones connected to Audible. 

In 30 quick seconds, you go from being concerned about the woman’s sanity to laughing along with her. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • If you can make your audience laugh out loud, you’ve made your brand memorable. Laughter triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which enhance memory retention.
  • You don’t always need a big budget to convey a big idea. While Audible is a high-budget enterprise, this video, in particular, uses the bare minimum set, actors, and props. 
  • The duration of branded content is immaterial. Both 30-second videos and full-blown movies have the power to create a lasting impact. 

6. “Google Cloud” by Google 

This video starts on a somber note with images showcasing how disasters (both natural and personal) make life uncertain. After images of forest fires, polluted oceans, and a sick baby, it zooms out to the more hopeful message — every day is also “unwritten.” It shows advances in technology, business, and medicine by making knowledge accessible to everyone. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • Problem-agitate-solution is a well-known formula that also imbues hope. People feel seen when you introduce a relatable problem, and because of the psychological need for closure, they stay tuned for the solution.
  • Aligning your story with the values of your target audience is the core of branded content. In this example, Google equates the need for cloud storage with the accessibility of knowledge. 
  • Effective product videos are more about the overarching challenges they resolve — or the emotions they evoke — than the features. Good video marketers can seamlessly bring together all three. 

7. “Snapper: The Perfect Tree” by John Lewis

This video opens with a boy getting a Venus flytrap (or Snapper plant) that bites into everything — yet he loves it. Eventually, the family grows tired of the disastrously big plant and replaces it with a conventional Christmas tree. They ultimately realize the emotional attachment they have with the Snapper and end up spending Christmas with it. 

The video is a creative twist on how people form deep connections with pets (usually puppies) and grow to love them unconditionally. 

Takeaways for marketers:

  • Surprise your audience. People are exposed to a lot of video content today, and an element of ridiculousness or exaggeration can make your content memorable — or even iconic. 
  • Depict the imperfections in personal relationships to build a connection with your audience. For example, a child’s curiosity can be inconvenient, and yet it can lead to the most unexpected gifts. 

Get creative with your branding videos

The internet will soon be flooded with copycat (and often emotionless) content generated by AI. If you can touch a nerve, influence a decision, or make someone smile — that’s going to mean more than ever. 


Head over to Vimeo Marketing and get started on a branded video →