Big Ads vs Smart Content: Video Marketing Trends That Need to Die

The scale was staggering. Dozens of crew members. Multiple cameras. Specialist lighting rigs. A budget that could make most business owners break out in a cold sweat.

That experience reminded me of something important: context matters. Big ads like that serve a very specific purpose. But they are not the model most businesses should follow when it comes to video marketing.

And that brings us to a bigger conversation about the video marketing trends holding businesses back — and what actually works in 2025.

Why Big Ads Still Matter (But Not for Everyone)

There’s no denying it. For a household brand like Three, Volkswagen, or Microsoft, big-budget commercials make sense.

• They need reach.
• They need spectacle.
• They need to stamp their authority on a national or global stage.

But for most businesses? That approach is unnecessary — and, worse, counterproductive.

Trying to mimic that blockbuster style online can feel inauthentic. The very thing that works on a 50-inch screen in someone’s living room looks awkward when repurposed for LinkedIn or Instagram.

This is where many brands get caught chasing the wrong video marketing trends. They think they need “the big ad moment,” when what they actually need is consistency, relatability, and speed.

The Luxury Brand Dilemma

Now, there’s an exception worth calling out. Luxury brands often face a unique challenge when it comes to video marketing.

Whether it’s a travel operator, high-end hospitality, or a prestige lifestyle brand, there’s a pressure to present cinematic production values. The product itself — an African safari, a five-star villa, a bespoke experience — demands aspiration.

But here’s the catch: luxury margins are often tighter than outsiders think. Marketing budgets don’t always match the image being sold.

This creates a chicken-and-egg problem:

• “We need to look like we have a huge budget.”
• “But we don’t actually have a huge budget.”

The good news? Smart, well-planned video production can bridge this gap.

Big Budget vs Smart Budget

Let me give you a real-world example.

The Three advert I worked on was massive in scope. Rightly so. It needed to make noise on a national scale.

Now compare that with a recent project we produced for Maclean & Bruce, a Scottish whisky and luxury experiences company.

• Crew of four.
• Tight, efficient shoot.
• Delivered a film that still conveyed luxury, prestige, and storytelling.

Did it have the size of a national ad? No.

Did it deliver exactly what the brand needed? Absolutely.

The point is simple: it’s not about how big your crew is. It’s about clarity of story and speed of delivery.

And that’s where many current video marketing trends get it wrong.

Video Marketing Trends That Need to Die

Let’s be blunt: there are some common practices in online video that need to go. Here are three of the worst offenders.

1. Overproduced Content

Slick doesn’t always mean effective. Online audiences don’t expect Hollywood polish — in fact, they often mistrust it.

The most successful content right now is often filmed on a phone, cut quickly, and delivered with personality.

Audiences don’t want perfection. They want proximity.

2. Content Without Strategy

Too many businesses fall into this trap:

• They post a one-off video “because we should.”
• Then they stop.
• Weeks of silence follow.

Consistency is where the magic happens. Random content bursts create noise but not momentum. This is one of the most damaging trends in video marketing right now.

3. Slow Production Cycles

Traditional ad timelines — four to six weeks for one video — don’t work in online marketing.

By the time the video is ready, the moment has passed. Campaign windows are short. Social trends move fast. Competitors won’t wait.

Brands that win are the ones who can move quickly and show up consistently.

What Works Instead

The most effective video marketing trends today can be summed up in three words:

• Authenticity → Show the real people and stories behind your brand.
• Consistency → Show up every week, not once a quarter.
• Agility → Create content quickly so it matches the pace of your campaigns.

It’s not about lowering the bar for quality. It’s about redefining it.

Quality today means relevance. The right message at the right time — not the most expensive production.

The Future of Video Marketing Trends

Looking ahead, here’s where I believe we’re heading:

1. Shorter, more frequent content
   Brands will rely less on a handful of big campaigns and more on a steady flow of snackable, high-quality content.
2. Story-first, not feature-first
   Lists of product features are forgettable. Human stories stick. That’s where audiences lean in.
3. Hybrid production models
   Mixing professional shoots with DIY footage will become the norm. Brands will get premium polish where it matters, and authentic quick-turnaround content where speed is key.

The lines between “big ad” and “social video” will blur — but agility will win every time.

How to Avoid the Trap

If you’re a business owner or marketing leader, here’s how to avoid falling into outdated video marketing trends:

• Start small and strategic. A plan beats improvisation. Our free 30-Day DIY Video Plan gives you a plug-and-play roadmap to stay consistent without overthinking it.
• Think smart budget, not big budget. If you need professional video but don’t have months to wait, our Social Content Boost delivers three story-driven videos in just 7 days, for a flat £1,250.

Both approaches are designed to break the cycle of inconsistency and help you build momentum.

Conclusion

Big ads still matter. But only for the brands that need them.

For everyone else, chasing blockbuster production values is one of the worst video marketing trends out there.

The future belongs to brands that stay consistent, authentic, and fast. Whether that means cinematic storytelling scaled smartly, or quick-turnaround content designed for social feeds, the principle is the same:

Momentum beats spectacle. Every time.

✦ Want to try it yourself? Check out our free 30-Day DIY Video Plan.
✦ Need scroll-stopping content next week? Contact us with the word “BOOST” for the Social Content Boost package.