Example of Online Video Advertising Campaigns

Discover how brands use online video advertising to boost awareness, reach targeted audiences, and create engaging campaigns across YouTube, websites, and streaming platforms.

Why Online Video Campaigns Drive Results

Online video campaigns can serve a wide range of marketing objectives from attracting new talent to building nationwide brand awareness or reaching niche audiences in the right context. Whether you're a local company looking to hire, a growing brand aiming to stand out, or a business targeting customers with relevant video content, online video offers powerful formats that drive engagement.

Unlike display ads, video lets you tell a richer story and connect emotionally with viewers. Placement also plays a key role: ads can appear in premium content environments like news websites or streaming platforms, or next to contextually relevant videos on platforms like YouTube.

Below, we explore three practical examples of how small and mid-sized advertisers can use online video advertising effectively: for recruiting, brand building, and context-driven targeting.

Recruiting Campaign - Geotargeted Campaign to Attract New Employees

Recruiting Campaign - Geotargeted Campaign to Attract New Employees

Customer:

A local franchise chain is looking for new employees.

Campaign Strategy:

The franchise chain mostly recruits from students that work there as a part-time job. To attract this audience, the customer books video ads on YouTube and websites that are focused on providing learning content for college students.

Example Ad Execution

  • Self-produced video ads show a current employee talking about the benefits and working conditions at the company.
  • Video ad is produced in a form that it does not look too professional, so it is authentic.
  • Filter on all websites and video content for students.
  • Geotargeting is used to deliver the ad around the branches of the company.
  • Ad Formats used: Medium Rectangle

Why It Works

  • Ensures ad spend is focused only on potential young employees.
  • Reduces wasted impressions from users outside the area.
Cost Estimation:
  • 2-week campaign will generate around 500,000 ad impressions per location.
  • The average CPM on the selected sites will range between 10 € - 15 €.
  • The overall investment for this campaign is 5 000 € - 7 500 €.
Sustainable Brand - Contextual Outstream Ads on Eco Websites

Sustainable Brand - Contextual Outstream Ads on Eco Websites

Customer:

A small brand selling plastic-free personal care products online.

Campaign Strategy:

Use contextual video targeting to appear on websites covering sustainability, green living, and conscious consumerism.

Example Ad Execution

  • A 20-second outstream video ad embedded within eco blog articles and product reviews
  • Message: "Make the Switch to Natural - 15% Off Your First Order."
  • Shown only on pages that match topics like zero-waste living, eco-friendly swaps, or sustainable shopping.

Why It Works

  • Outstream ads appear directly in articles where users are focused on the topic - no need to watch a video to see the ad.
  • Aligns brand message with the surrounding content.
Cost Estimation:
  • 3-week campaign
  • ~1 million impressions
  • CPM: 20 € - 25 €
  • Total cost: 20 000 € - 25 000 €
Nationwide Branding Campaign - Premium Publisher & Streaming Placement

Nationwide Branding Campaign - Premium Publisher & Streaming Placement

Customer:

A growing direct-to-consumer home appliance brand launching a new line of high-end espresso machines.

Campaign Strategy:

The brand wants to increase national awareness and position itself as a premium, trustworthy alternative to established household names. To achieve this, the campaign runs video ads on: - Reputable news publisher websites (e.g., national newspapers, lifestyle magazines) - Streaming platforms (e.g., CTV or Streaming Service environments) - The goal is to leverage the credibility and high-quality environment of these platforms to transfer positive brand perception.

Example Ad Execution

  • A sleek 20-second video featuring the espresso machine in a minimalist kitchen setting, paired with lifestyle footage and a calm voiceover: "Designed for those who value quality. Meet your new morning ritual."
  • Outstream placements on websites of premium publishers like The New York Times, The Guardian, etc.
  • Streaming video ads served before or during premium content on connected TV or desktop.
  • Messaging focuses on design, quality, and trust - no hard sell.

Why It Works

  • Brand uplift via environment: Appearing alongside premium editorial and entertainment content signals quality, even to users who are unfamiliar with the brand.
  • Emotional resonance: The ad format and placement evoke sophistication and credibility - key for premium product positioning.
  • No tracking required: Contextual and placement-based targeting avoids user-level profiling and works in a privacy-compliant way.
Cost Estimation:
  • Campaign Duration: 4 weeks
  • Impressions: ~8 million across all channels
  • CPM (Outstream, News Websites): 15 € - 20 €
  • Streaming: 80 € - 100 €
  • Channel Split: 70% Outstream, 30% Streaming
  • Total Budget: 265 500 € - 338 000 €