Brand Ad Video Production
What You Need to Produce a High-Converting, Standout Ad
by Jonnie Halstead, Vice President of SHW Studios
Alright friends, let’s talk about one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—formats in brand ad video production: the brand anthem. Not a quick promo, not a product explainer, and definitely not a founder selfie. I’m talking about a cinematic, emotionally charged brand ad that connects before it converts. These are the high-impact videos that stop the scroll, spark curiosity, and make people feel something before they even hear your value prop. If your goal is to build brand trust, communicate your mission, and leave a lasting impression, this is the format to master. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what you need to create a standout brand ad video that resonates—and converts.
1. You Need a Reason to Exist
If you don’t know why your brand exists—beyond selling stuff—it’s going to show on screen. A good brand ad starts with a clear sense of identity. It should communicate purpose, personality, and point of view in under 90 seconds (ideally 60 so it fits all social channels). That’s harder than it sounds. And it’s why we spend time up front working with clients to find their emotional hook through script concepts and storyboard development. If you don’t have the reason yet, we help you get there.
Watch this Ad we produced for our client Outreach.
2. You Need a Brief That Doesn’t Suck
Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how often people skip this. A great creative brief is the blueprint for the entire production. It covers audience, tone, goals, deliverables, and usage. It gives your team direction without boxing in the creative. And it helps us push things further while still hitting the mark.
Here’s a fun piece we produced for Highspot.
3. You Need Talent, Locations, and Crew That Match Your Brand
This isn’t just about good casting—it’s about right casting. Real people or actors, slick studio or natural light—everything needs to align with the world your brand lives in. The wrong voiceover, the wrong setting, even the wrong font can throw the whole thing off. At SHW Studios, we hand-pick crew and collaborators who get the vision and elevate the outcome.
Check out the locations and talent featured in this piece.
4. You Need Time in Pre-Production
This is where the magic starts. Concepting, scripting, storyboarding—it’s where we find the rhythm of the piece before we shoot a single frame. We lay the foundation for momentum, emotion, and storytelling flow. You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint; you shouldn’t shoot a brand ad without one either.
Part of the process can be to produce a proof-of-concept like this one.
5. You Need Post-Production that Knows When to Roar and When to Restrain
This is where tone gets locked. We’re talking color, sound design, pacing, graphics, and timing. A brand ad should feel like it’s moving with purpose. We aim for elegance with edge—enough polish to feel premium, but enough soul to feel real. Final touches like motion graphics or logo lock-up matter more than you think.
This Highspot Ad featured epic live action mixed with stock (an editor’s dream!).
6. You Need to Leave Them Wanting More
Don’t try to cram every product and talking point into one ad. This isn’t a pitch deck. The best brand ads spark curiosity, they don’t smother it. End with a call to action, sure—but make it feel like a natural next step, not a hard sell. “Come along for the ride” beats “buy now” every time.
Highspot nailed it with this ad.
And Remember . . .
If you want people to trust your brand, you have to show them who you are before you tell them what you sell. A great brand ad is your handshake, your billboard, and your battle cry—all rolled into one. And when it’s done right, it keeps working long after the credits roll.
Jonnie Halstead is the VP of SHW Studios and a driving force behind SHW’s creative production and business development. Originally from New Zealand, Jonnie’s global journey spans music festivals, brand storytelling, and consumer experiences across APAC and North America. With roots in visual communications and a background producing everything from the X-Games to corporate keynotes, he brings a rare blend of artistry and executional savvy to every project. Since joining SHW in 2019, Jonnie has launched SHW Studios, led marquee campaigns for brands like AmazonAds and Microsoft, and served as Executive Producer on high-impact content and events—including the inaugural Eudēmonia Summit and SXSW. A natural collaborator and born storyteller, Jonnie’s work is fueled by bold ideas, cultural insight, and a deep love for turning vision into reality.
Need help creating a high-converting, standout brand ad video?
That’s exactly what we do at SHW Studios. From strategy to final edit, we specialize in brand ad video production that captures who you are—and why it matters.
Let’s tell your story.
