Best Display Ads Examples to Inspire Your Next Campaign

Today, display ads remain a powerful tool for capturing attention, building brand awareness, and influencing conversions. However, their effectiveness is increasingly challenged by ad fatigue, banner blindness, and evolving user behaviors.

In this guide, we'll explore the key ingredients that make display ads visually appealing and strategically effective. From innovative designs that push creative boundaries to data-driven campaigns that speak directly to consumer needs, we've curated a collection of display ad examples that showcase the best in the business. These aren't just pretty pictures – they're masterclasses in visual storytelling, brand communication, and conversion influence.

Nike's "Just Do It" Campaign

Nike's iconic "Just Do It" campaign features powerful imagery of athletes in action, paired with their famous slogan. This ad showcases a determined runner against a dramatic backdrop. The minimalist design with bold text effectively communicates Nike's brand message of empowerment and athleticism. It's effective because it evokes emotion and aspirational feelings, encouraging viewers to associate these qualities with Nike products.

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Airbnb's "Live There" Campaign

Airbnb's "Live There" campaign uses stunning imagery of unique accommodations and local experiences. The ad features minimal text, letting the visuals speak for themselves. The tagline "Don't go there. Live there" effectively communicates Airbnb's unique value proposition of authentic, immersive travel experiences. This approach is effective because it inspires wanderlust and differentiates Airbnb from traditional hotel stays.

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Dollar Shave Club "Our Blades Are F****ing Great"

This provocative ad uses bold, attention-grabbing text to convey Dollar Shave Club's irreverent brand personality. The simple design with stark contrast makes the message stand out. It's effective because it's memorable, humorous, and clearly communicates the product's key benefit in a way that resonates with their target audience.

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Spotify's Data-Driven Ads

Spotify's clever campaign uses listener data in humorous ways. The example shown reads, "Dear person who played 'Sorry' 42 times on Valentine's Day, what did you do?" This approach is effective because it feels personalized, leverages real user behavior in an entertaining way, and showcases Spotify's understanding of its users' habits.

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Google's "Make Google Do It" Campaign

This ad for Google Assistant uses a simple, clean design with the product name prominently displayed. The "Make Google do it" tagline effectively communicates the product's core functionality in a concise, memorable way. It's effective because it clearly shows how the product can simplify users' lives.

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Slack - Problem Solving Ads

Slack's ad uses workplace pain points to communicate its value proposition. The clean design and straightforward message effectively convey how Slack can improve workplace communication by removing emails. It's effective because it clearly addresses a common annoyance for many businesses.

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Amazon Prime's "Great Shows Stay with You" Campaign

This creative ad for Amazon Prime Video shows characters from popular shows integrated into everyday scenes. It's effective because it cleverly illustrates the tagline "Great shows stay with you," making a memorable impact and highlighting the engaging content available on the platform.

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Apple's "Shot on iPhone" Campaign

Apple's "Shot on iPhone" campaign showcases stunning photographs taken with iPhones. This approach effectively demonstrates the product's high-quality camera capabilities. It's powerful because it uses real user-generated content, adding authenticity and relatability to the ad.

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Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" Campaign

This personalized Coca-Cola bottle ad is part of their "Share a Coke" campaign. By featuring names on the bottles, Coca-Cola created a personal connection with consumers. It's effective because it encourages engagement and sharing, boosting brand visibility and emotional connection.

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Rocket Mortgage "Push Button. Get Mortgage"

This ad uses a simple, bold design with the clear message "Push Button. Get Mortgage." It effectively communicates the ease and speed of using Rocket Mortgage's services. The ad is powerful because it simplifies a typically complex process into an appealing, straightforward concept.

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Headspace - Mindfulness Moments

Headspace's ad uses calming colors and simple illustrations to create a serene atmosphere. The message "Seek mindfulness" clearly communicates the app's purpose. It's effective because it provides a moment of calm amidst busy web browsing, aligning perfectly with the product's benefits.

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Grammarly - Before and After

Grammarly's "before and after" ads typically demonstrate how their tool improves the writing by leveraging common grammatical mistakes. These ads are effective because they clearly show the product's value in a relatable, easy-to-understand format.

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Closing Thoughts

As we've explored through these diverse and compelling examples, effective display advertising in 2024 is both an art and a science. The most successful campaigns share several key characteristics:

1. Visual Impact: From Nike's powerful imagery to Airbnb's stunning destinations, visually arresting ads cut through the digital noise.

2. Clear Value Proposition: Ads like Rocket Mortgage's "Push Button. Get Mortgage" and Slack's problem-solving approach demonstrate the importance of communicating benefits succinctly.

3. Brand Personality: Dollar Shave Club's irreverent tone and Spotify's clever use of data show how infusing ads with distinct personality can create memorable impressions.

4. Emotional Connection: Campaigns like Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" and Apple's "Shot on iPhone" forge personal connections with audiences.

5. Simplicity: Google's "Make Google Do It" and Headspace's mindfulness ads prove that sometimes, less is more in conveying a message effectively.

These examples underscore that while technology and platforms evolve, the fundamentals of human psychology in advertising remain constant. The most effective display ads in 2024 will be those that combine data-driven insights with creative execution, delivering relevant messages that resonate on an emotional level.

As marketers, the challenge lies in balancing creativity with performance metrics, continually testing and refining our approaches. By learning from these best-in-class examples and applying the best practices we've discussed, you can create display ad campaigns that not only capture attention but drive meaningful engagement and conversions.

Ready to elevate your display advertising game? At DriftLead, we're here to help you craft campaigns that stand out and deliver results. Visit https://driftlead.com/marketing-plan/ to get your free marketing plan and start your journey towards more effective, data-driven, multi-channel advertising.