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The Best Interactive Ads: Engaging, Impactful, and Innovative

In today’s digital age, the advertising landscape is constantly evolving to capture the attention of consumers bombarded by countless messages.

Amidst this competition, interactive ads have emerged as a game-changer, captivating audiences through direct engagement.

These ads hold the power to revolutionize marketing strategies, providing a multitude of benefits including higher views, conversion rates, and insightful data on viewer behavior.

No longer confined to a single medium, interactive ads can be seamlessly incorporated across platforms, from social media to TV, magazines to outdoor advertising.

Get ready to dive into the world of the best interactive ads, where creativity, innovation, and consumer participation take center stage.

best interactive ads

The best interactive ads are those that generate higher views and are seen as fun, engaging, stimulating, and creative.

They deliver up to 3x the conversion rate of conventional video ads and up to 7x for playables.

Interactive ads provide more in-depth data on viewer behavior, such as how long they viewed the ad, what they clicked on, if they answered any questions, if they replayed the video, and whether they shared it with others.

Facebook, YouTube, and various other platforms offer interactive ad formats, including Instant Experience, Playable ads, and Lead ads.

Interactive ads can also be found in magazines, outdoor billboards, and even on TV.

They provide marketers with opportunities for creative campaigns, leading to higher conversion rates and more engagement.

Key Points:

  • Best interactive ads generate higher views and are seen as fun, engaging, stimulating, and creative.
  • They deliver up to 3x the conversion rate of conventional video ads and up to 7x for playables.
  • Interactive ads provide more in-depth data on viewer behavior, such as duration of view, clicks, question responses, video replays, and sharing.
  • Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms offer interactive ad formats, including Instant Experience, Playable ads, and Lead ads.
  • Interactive ads are present in magazines, outdoor billboards, and even on TV.
  • They provide opportunities for creative campaigns, resulting in higher conversion rates and more engagement.

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💡 Did You Know?

1. The world’s first interactive ad was created in 1994 by the telecommunications company AT&T. The ad allowed viewers to click on certain areas of the screen to learn more about different products and services.

2. One of the most successful interactive ad campaigns was by Burger King in 2004, called “Subservient Chicken.” In this campaign, viewers could give commands to a person in a chicken costume, who would then act out those commands on a live video feed.

3. The first interactive ad in space was launched in 2013 by the Japanese beverage company Suntory. Astronaut Koichi Wakata used Facebook to interact with fans and promote the company’s products while aboard the International Space Station.

4. In 2018, McDonald’s created an interactive ad in Sweden that turned into a weather forecast. The billboard used real-time data to display different food items based on the current weather conditions, suggesting that people choose their meals accordingly.

5. The first interactive ad on Instagram was created by Nike in 2014. The “Choose Your Winter” ad allowed users to swipe left or right to experience different winter sports and activities, showcasing Nike’s range of winter gear.


Volkswagen’s Interactive Magazine Ad: Virtual Test Drive App

Volkswagen took interactive advertising to a new level with their innovative magazine ad. In collaboration with a popular automotive publication, they created an ad that allowed readers to experience a virtual test drive using their smartphones. The concept was simple yet ingenious – readers could download an app that synced with the magazine ad. Once the app was installed, readers could use their phones to explore different features of the Volkswagen car model showcased in the ad. This interactive experience gave consumers a taste of what it would be like to actually get behind the wheel of a Volkswagen and test drive it themselves.

The success of Volkswagen’s interactive magazine ad lay in its ability to engage consumers directly and create an immersive experience. By leveraging technology, they were able to transform a traditional print ad into an interactive platform. This not only captured the attention of readers but also provided them with an engaging and memorable brand experience. It showcased the power of interactive advertising in capturing consumers’ interest and fostering a deeper connection with the brand.

  • Volkswagen’s innovative ad allowed readers to experience a virtual test drive using their smartphones
  • Readers could download an app that synced with the magazine ad
  • The app enabled users to explore different features of the showcased Volkswagen car model
  • This interactive experience provided consumers with a taste of driving a Volkswagen themselves
  • The ad’s success lies in its ability to directly engage consumers and create an immersive experience
  • Technology transformed the traditional print ad into an interactive platform
  • The interactive advertising showcased the power of capturing consumers’ interest and fostering a deeper connection with the brand.

Reebok’s Interactive Display: Fastest Runner Wins Free Shoes

Reebok, a renowned sportswear brand, demonstrated the power of interactive advertising in Sweden through a unique campaign. They set up a combination speed cam and shoe display in the heart of a bustling town. The display challenged passersby to sprint past it as fast as possible for a chance to win a free pair of Reebok shoes. This interactive campaign not only grabbed people’s attention but also encouraged active participation.

The effectiveness of Reebok’s interactive display went beyond generating buzz; it also served as a clever marketing tactic. By combining real-world interaction with the incentive of a prize, Reebok successfully engaged potential customers. This innovative approach attracted both passionate runners and curious onlookers. It demonstrated Reebok’s commitment to creating immersive brand experiences and using interactive advertising to directly engage with their audience.

  • The interactive display created by Reebok combined a speed cam and shoe display.
  • Participants were challenged to run past the display as fast as they could.
  • The fastest runner had the opportunity to win a free pair of Reebok shoes.
  • This interactive advertising campaign caught people’s attention and motivated active participation.

Domino’s Pizza: Order via Messenger and Twitter

As technology continues to advance, the world of interactive advertising is also evolving. Domino’s Pizza has embraced this evolution by enabling customers to order pizza through popular messaging platforms such as Messenger and Twitter. By simply tweeting a pre-set slice of pizza or using a chatbot on Messenger, Domino’s customers can place an order with ease. The seamless integration of interactive ads into social media platforms allows consumers to easily access and engage with the brand.

Not only does Domino’s Pizza’s interactive ordering system make the process more convenient for customers, but it also enhances the overall customer experience. Leveraging the popularity and widespread usage of platforms like Messenger and Twitter, Domino’s reaches a broader audience and makes ordering pizza more interactive and accessible. This type of interactive advertising caters to the fast-paced, digitally connected world we live in, where convenience and efficiency are crucial for consumers.

  • Domnio’s Pizza embraces technology in advertising
  • Allows customers to order pizza through messaging platforms
  • Seamless integration with social media platforms
  • Enhances customer experience
  • Broadens reach to a larger audience

“The seamless integration of interactive ads into social media platforms allows consumers to easily access and engage with the brand.”

Serena Williams and Gatorade’s Interactive Game: Match Point

The partnership between Serena Williams, Gatorade, and Snapchat resulted in an exciting interactive game called Match Point. This game allowed users to engage with a 22-level ad showcasing Serena Williams’ victories. Users could actively participate by playing the game and experiencing the thrill of tennis through their smartphones.

The Match Point interactive game reflects the increasing popularity of gamification in advertising. By incorporating elements of competition and interactivity, Gatorade and Serena Williams effectively captured the attention and interest of their target audience. This interactive ad allowed users to not only connect with the Gatorade brand but also appreciate Serena Williams’ achievements through active engagement.

  • The partnership between Serena Williams, Gatorade, and Snapchat
  • Exciting interactive game called Match Point
  • 22-level ad showcasing Serena Williams’ victories
  • Active participation and experience through smartphones
  • Increasing popularity of gamification in advertising
  • Elements of competition and interactivity
  • Connection with the Gatorade brand
  • Appreciation of Serena Williams’ achievements

“The partnership between Serena Williams, Gatorade, and Snapchat resulted in an exciting interactive game called Match Point.”

New York Times’ Instagram Ad: Downloadable Crossword App

The New York Times, a leading newspaper publisher, harnessed the power of interactive advertising through a creative Instagram campaign targeting millennials. They created an ad that allowed users to download a fun and interactive crossword app. By blending the traditional crossword puzzle with digital interactivity, the New York Times found a way to engage a younger demographic and make the brand more appealing and accessible to them.

The success of the New York Times’ interactive crossword ad lies in its ability to adapt to the preferences and interests of millennials. By offering an interactive and mobile-friendly version of the classic crossword, the New York Times effectively connected with a generation that values convenience and digital engagement. This interactive ad demonstrates the importance of understanding the target audience and tailoring interactive campaigns to meet their expectations.

Verizon Wireless’ Interactive Twitter Campaign: #TheForceAwakens and #TheoryWars

Verizon Wireless, a telecommunications giant, joined forces with the Star Wars franchise to create an innovative and interactive Twitter campaign.

Using the hashtags #TheForceAwakens and #TheoryWars, users were encouraged to submit their own theories and speculations about the Star Wars storyline.

This interactive campaign not only sparked engagement among Star Wars fans but also generated buzz and social media conversations.

Verizon Wireless’ interactive Twitter campaign demonstrates the power of user-generated content and crowd engagement.

By tapping into the immense popularity of the Star Wars franchise, Verizon created a platform for fans to actively participate and contribute their ideas.

This interactive ad campaign allowed users to feel a sense of ownership and connection with both the brand and the Star Wars community.

  • User-generated content and crowd engagement
  • Immense popularity of Star Wars franchise
  • Active participation and contribution of ideas
  • Sense of ownership and connection with brand and Star Wars community.

“Verizon Wireless’ interactive Twitter campaign demonstrates the power of user-generated content and crowd engagement.”

Spotify’s Music Brand: Engaging Users with Interactive Ads

As a leading music brand, Spotify has continuously found ways to engage users through interactive advertising strategies. Although specific details are not provided in the information provided, Spotify has been known to create interactive ads that allow users to “Canadify” their playlists in response to the spike in searches for “move to Canada” during the US Presidential election. These interactive ads seek to engage users and create a stronger connection between the brand and its users.

Spotify’s interactive ads are designed to cater to the preferences and interests of music enthusiasts. By creating interactive campaigns that resonate with their target audience, Spotify effectively strengthens its brand presence and engagement. Through various interactive elements, Spotify allows users to actively participate in the content and personalized experiences, fostering a deeper connection with the brand.

  • Spotify engages users through interactive advertising strategies.
  • Interactive ads can allow users to “Canadify” their playlists.
  • The goal is to create a stronger connection between the brand and its users.
  • Spotify’s interactive ads cater to music enthusiasts.
  • Interactive campaigns resonate with the target audience.
  • Various interactive elements allow users to actively participate.
  • Personalized experiences foster a deeper connection with the brand.

Advantages of Interactive Ads

Interactive ads offer numerous advantages that make them an essential tool for marketers. Firstly, interactive ads generate higher views and are seen as fun, engaging, stimulating, and creative. Brands that incorporate interactivity into their advertising campaigns are more likely to capture and retain the attention of consumers, ultimately leading to better brand recall.

Secondly, interactive ads deliver significantly higher conversion rates compared to conventional video ads. Studies have shown that interactive ads can deliver up to three times the conversion rate of a traditional video ad and up to seven times when using playable ad formats. This increase in conversion rates can be attributed to the active engagement and immersive experiences that interactive ads provide.

Lastly, interactive ads provide marketers with more in-depth data on viewer behavior. With interactive ads, marketers can track data such as:

  • How long viewers engaged with the ad
  • What elements they interacted with
  • Whether they answered any questions
  • If they replayed the video
  • Whether they shared it with others

This data allows marketers to understand consumer preferences, interests, and behaviors, enabling them to refine their advertising strategies for better results.

Platforms Offering Interactive Ads

A variety of platforms offer interactive ad formats that marketers can leverage to engage with their target audience. Facebook is one such platform, offering ad formats like Instant Experience, Playable ads, and Lead ads. These formats allow users to interact with the brand’s content directly on the platform, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

YouTube is another platform that provides interactive ad formats. Marketers can create interactive ads on YouTube by incorporating elements such as annotations, cards, and end screens. These interactive features allow users to engage with the video content and take specific actions such as subscribing to a channel or visiting a website.

Interactive display ads are another avenue for marketers to explore. These ads utilize rich media elements like videos, audio, and gifs. They can also include multiple content formats within the same ad, providing an interactive and engaging experience for viewers. Additionally, Google’s Lightbox ads are expandable ads that fill the screen and can include videos or carousels of images, further enhancing user engagement.

Mobile interactive ads have also gained popularity in recent years. These ads take the form of quizzes, surveys, calculators, QR codes, and contact forms. By incorporating interactive elements into mobile advertising, marketers can provide personalized experiences and encourage users to take specific actions.

Even traditional television platforms have incorporated interactive ad capabilities. Interactive TV ads, such as BMW’s interactive ad on Roku and Hulu’s interactive ads, allow viewers to engage with the ad by taking polls, answering questions, or accessing additional content. This level of engagement enhances the viewer’s experience and creates a stronger connection between the viewer and the brand.

Non-Digital Interactive Ads

Interactive advertising is not limited to digital platforms alone. Traditional media, such as magazines and outdoor ads, can also incorporate interactive elements to engage consumers. Interactive magazine ads provide readers with an additional layer of engagement by allowing them to interact with the content using their smartphones or other devices. An example includes Peugeot’s interactive print ad that asked readers to physically hit the ad to trigger an action.

Similarly, outdoor ads have also embraced interactivity. For instance, Reebok’s interactive outdoor display in Sweden used a speed cam and shoe display to give away a free pair of shoes to the fastest runner past a billboard. These non-digital interactive ads showcase the versatility and creativity that can be achieved by blending traditional advertising mediums with interactive elements.

Conclusion: Creative Campaigns, Higher Conversion Rates, Enhanced Engagement

Interactive ads have become an integral part of modern marketing strategies. These ads not only capture consumers’ attention but also actively engage them, fostering a stronger connection with the brand. Examples, such as Volkswagen’s virtual test drive app, Reebok’s interactive display, and Domino’s Pizza’s ordering via Messenger, demonstrate the effectiveness of interactive advertising in capturing consumer interest and driving higher conversion rates.

The advantages of interactive ads include:

  • Higher views and fun engagement
  • Increased conversion rates
  • More in-depth data on viewer behavior

These advantages make interactive ads a powerful tool for marketers. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Google offer various interactive ad formats to cater to different marketing objectives and engage with a wide range of audiences.

Even non-digital platforms like magazines and outdoor ads can incorporate interactive elements to create memorable brand experiences.

Overall, interactive advertising allows marketers to unleash their creativity, increase conversion rates, and enhance engagement with consumers.

By embracing interactive advertising, brands can connect with their target audience in a more meaningful way, ultimately leading to improved business outcomes.

Bullet Points:

  • Higher views and fun engagement
  • Increased conversion rates
  • More in-depth data on viewer behavior

FAQ

What is an example of an interactive ad?

An example of an interactive ad could be an ad for a clothing brand that allows users to virtually try on and mix and match different outfits using augmented reality technology. In this ad, the viewer can interact with the products and see how they would look on themselves, creating a more engaging and personalized experience. Another example could be a social media ad that prompts users to participate in a survey or quiz related to a particular product or service. This type of interactive ad not only grabs the attention of the viewer but also encourages their active involvement, ultimately fostering a deeper connection and potential conversion.

Are interactive ads better?

Interactive ads can be incredibly effective for marketers as they provide a unique opportunity for creativity and innovation. By allowing users to actively engage with the advertisement, these ads are more likely to capture attention and generate higher conversion rates. The interactive element also promotes increased engagement, as users interact with the ad in a more immersive and participatory way. Additionally, the hands-on nature of interactive ads has been found to enhance brand recall, as the interactive experience creates a more memorable and impactful impression on users. Overall, the benefits of interactive ads make them a compelling choice for marketers looking to optimize their campaigns and drive better results.

Are interactive ads worth it?

Interactive ads are definitely worth it when it comes to engaging with consumers. The fact that people spend almost 50% more time viewing interactive ads shows the effectiveness of this approach. Additionally, interactive ads have a higher potential for being remembered, even if users choose not to engage with them. This boosts brand visibility and recall, making interactive ads a valuable investment for marketers.

Which ads are most effective?

While word-of-mouth advertising is undoubtedly powerful, it is difficult to pinpoint a single type of advertising that is universally the most effective. This is because the effectiveness of an ad campaign greatly depends on the target audience, industry, and unique circumstances. For some businesses, social media campaigns may generate high levels of engagement and brand awareness. For others, traditional forms of advertising like television or print media might yield greater results. Ultimately, the key lies in understanding the preferences and behaviors of your target customers and tailoring your advertising approach accordingly.

Furthermore, while satisfied customers can be powerful brand advocates, a comprehensive advertising strategy should go beyond solely relying on their word-of-mouth recommendations. Utilizing various channels and techniques to reach and engage potential customers will help expand brand reach and maintain a steady stream of new customers. It is essential to see word-of-mouth advertising as a valuable component of an overall marketing strategy rather than the sole determinant of ad effectiveness.