ezra@wonderrstudio.co.za | +27 71 865 2249
Animation for business marketing has become more common over the last few years. From animated adverts to product videos and social media content, businesses are using animation to explain ideas, tell stories, and connect with audiences in a simple and memorable way. This article breaks down why animation works, how to use it properly, and what to consider before investing in animated content.
Animation is good at one thing most ads struggle with: keeping attention.
Unlike filmed content, animation isn’t limited by reality. You can show ideas, emotions, and stories that would be expensive—or impossible—to film.
More importantly, animation lets you tell a story without needing a big setup:
People also tend to remember animated content more easily, especially when characters or a short story are involved.
According to research by Wyzowl, people retain up to 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to just 10% when reading text.
That’s a big difference.
Animation also helps when your product or service is hard to explain. Instead of long explanations, animation can show the idea visually in seconds.
One mistake many businesses make is jumping straight into animation without knowing why they need it.
Before making an animated advert, trailer, or video, it helps to ask:
Animation looks great, but without a basic marketing plan, it can easily become “nice to look at” content that doesn’t do much.
A simple strategy helps you:
Even a short animated video can be powerful if the goal is clear.
Forbes – Why Animated Video Is So Effective
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/10/30/why-animated-video-is-so-effective/
Some of the best examples of animation in marketing come from brands that lean into storytelling, not hard selling.
A well-known example is how large food brands in Japan use short anime-style commercials. Instead of focusing on the product only, they show:
The product becomes part of the story, not the main character shouting for attention.
This is why those ads are shared online, remembered, and talked about—long after the campaign ends.
This McDonalds ad below, went viral in 2025, bringing in millions of views and shares across the globe, and surprisingly got a lot of Americans attention. Keep in mind, this was targeted to the Japanese audiences, but got the attention of everyone.
Why was this so successful?
Because it connected beyond the product itself. A simple 20s animation with a very cozy ambiance, showed a family enjoying a McD meal together. Exactly one of the reasons why it went viral among Americans. Often fast food restaurants in the US only focuses on on hardcore selling and often families don't sit-and-eat together as they used to, which is why it connected unintentionally for Westerners.
Animation works well for:
You don’t need a massive budget to do this. You need a clear idea and a good story.
In many cases, yes.
A full filmed commercial often includes:
Animation removes many of these costs.
However, animation isn’t automatically cheap.
The cost depends on:
A short, well-planned animated video can be very affordable.
A long, highly detailed animation can become expensive quickly.
The key is knowing what level of quality you actually need to reach your goal.
You’re probably reading this because animation is already on your radar.
If so, it helps to talk to people like ourselves here at Wonderr Studio who understand both storytelling and marketing, not just animation for animation’s sake.
A good animated project should:
If you’re exploring an animated advert, trailer, explainer, or music video, feel free to get in touch with us. ezra@wonderrstudio.co.za | Whatsapp: +27 71 865 2249
Collaborating early usually saves time, money, and a lot of back-and-forth later on. To learn more about our services.
I hope this article has been insightful for you.
