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The Evolution of Video Marketing: Trends Shaping 2026

Video marketing is a powerful tool utilised by many brands, businesses and organisations. While it used to be a desirable addition to a brand’s presence, over the past few years, it has undoubtedly become a much more integral part of a brand’s identity and marketing strategy. The data clearly supports the importance of video marketing, with 91% of businesses currently using video content as a key marketing tool, and 93% of marketers claiming it to be a vital part of their overall strategy. It’s easy to understand why, especially with the development of highly sharable long and short-form content across social media platforms.

Video lends itself to storytelling and is highly versatile in style, format and design, allowing brands to adapt and develop their own visual style through this content to showcase their unique selling points and features. Moving image content, especially live-action, also feels more tangible and personal than images or still graphics, and can engage customers with the history and purpose behind a product or service, which ultimately generates a deeper interest and understanding in the company as a whole.

With video now a cornerstone of modern marketing, staying ahead means recognising how the landscape has evolved and where the next breakthrough lies.

The human touch

Arguably, the most important evolution of video marketing in recent years is the growing need for brand authenticity and embedding a personal touch into marketing strategies and campaigns. Consumers not only crave participation, but a relationship and connection with a brand or business that feels considered, friendly and undeniably human. Audiences want to feel listened to and understood, and video content is increasingly catering to these needs.

Recognising the growing demand for authentic connection, brands are evolving their strategies to include recurring video series. For B2B companies, this could look like ‘Day in the Life’ vlogs, ‘Meet the Team’, or informative videos that offer audiences an exclusive look at the people and processes behind the name. By turning these into a consistent series, brands can showcase recurring team members and call back to previous videos, comments and jokes, generating that all-important community feel.

Additionally, incorporating live segments through streaming and native video features allows brands to build authenticity while making the most of each platform’s unique capabilities. This kind of unedited content offers audiences real insight, rather than a narrative that feels overly curated. Using these approaches helps create transparency and fosters a more genuine connection.

Interaction

Another crucial way video marketing has evolved is through the growing adoption of interactive video formats. This could be clickable elements, polls, ‘choose your own adventure’ content and more. The truth is, audiences crave participation and engagement with the brands and services they seek, and brands are utilising platform features to meet this demand and boost viewer participation at every opportunity.

Many platforms, including YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest, can now link to products through shopping or storefront features, encouraging audiences to access products and services with ease. Integrating new or unique platform features establishes brands as relevant and forward-thinking, building trust and reliability for the audience.

The shift toward audience participation raises a key question: Is it driven by a simple demand for frictionless accessibility, or have consumer standards evolved to require deeper brand connection? In reality, it’s likely both. Brands are quickly discovering that by reducing the barrier to entry and prioritising genuine engagement, they aren’t just securing a single transaction, they’re building long-term loyalty.

Interaction

Trends and styles

Text animation

Noticeably, with the evolution of video marketing, popular visual styles have begun to develop, especially through social-first content. Brands are utilising engaging editing and motion design elements such as text animation to craft creative and visually appealing content. 

Throughout social media, the use of bold, dynamic text animations has become more and more popular, becoming widely utilised for both style and accessibility. Colourful, alternative text styles are proving successful in capturing attention on social feeds and effectively highlighting keywords within the first few seconds to form a stronger hook.

Increasingly, many users are watching social videos without audio, meaning text animations can transform messaging to make content more accessible, engaging and inclusive. Text motion graphics and animated elements can also be utilised to illustrate a speaker’s point, acting as a visual aid in storytelling. This blend of accessibility and visual effect enables brands to further personalise their content and connect with a diverse audience.

Developing a video series

While individual branded elements and motion design provide the visual ‘hook,’ the real evolution of social media marketing lies in how those features are deployed over time. Moving away from one-off posts toward a consistent video series allows those text animations and branded motifs to become familiar cues for your audience. By weaving these engaging features into a recurring format, you’re not just making a single impression, you’re building a recognisable visual language. This consistency turns passive viewers into loyal subscribers and consumers, while the professional polish of motion graphics signals a level of quality and reliability that keeps them coming back for the next episode.

Brand examples

Monzo | 'Double Take'

Monzo | 'Double Take'

Monzo’s ‘Double Take’ series explores real-life money experiences through conversations with everyday people. Each episode is professionally produced in a dedicated studio setup, with branded elements throughout the set, as well as on-screen visuals, creating a consistent visual identity that makes the series instantly recognisable.

Watch here
Air BnB | 'Meet the Host'

Air BnB | 'Meet the Host'

Airbnb’s Meet the Host series showcases the value of building authenticity within video content. It highlights the real people behind each stay, with hosts sharing their spaces and personal experiences on the platform. The content leans into storytelling, using relaxed, documentary-style filming to create an approachable feel, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on community and belonging.

Watch here
Dyson | YouTube shopping

Dyson | YouTube shopping

Dyson, a brand well-known for innovative technology, is a great example of how companies are utilising the interactive tools increasingly available on social platforms such as YouTube. Combining a ‘Tips’ video with shoppable links to the products mentioned provides another layer of interaction and accessibility.

Watch here
Monzo | 'Double Take'

Monzo | 'Double Take'

Monzo’s ‘Double Take’ series explores real-life money experiences through conversations with everyday people. Each episode is professionally produced in a dedicated studio setup, with branded elements throughout the set, as well as on-screen visuals, creating a consistent visual identity that makes the series instantly recognisable.

Watch here
Air BnB | 'Meet the Host'

Air BnB | 'Meet the Host'

Airbnb’s Meet the Host series showcases the value of building authenticity within video content. It highlights the real people behind each stay, with hosts sharing their spaces and personal experiences on the platform. The content leans into storytelling, using relaxed, documentary-style filming to create an approachable feel, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on community and belonging.

Watch here
Dyson | YouTube shopping

Dyson | YouTube shopping

Dyson, a brand well-known for innovative technology, is a great example of how companies are utilising the interactive tools increasingly available on social platforms such as YouTube. Combining a ‘Tips’ video with shoppable links to the products mentioned provides another layer of interaction and accessibility.

Watch here

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