By StingFellows 
Black Friday has evolved into one of the biggest shopping events of the year — a day when brands roll out irresistible discounts, and customers rush to grab the best deals. But what really makes a Black Friday campaign successful? The answer lies in smart advertising. From viral video ads to creative storytelling, brands that mastered emotional appeal and timing have achieved record-breaking sales.
Let’s explore 10 of the best Black Friday ad campaigns that made history, followed by 5 top tools to help you create high-converting Black Friday ads this season.
Top 10 Black Friday Ad Campaigns That Drove Record Sales
1. Apple – Subtle Luxury and Scarcity
Apple is known for rarely offering deep discounts, yet its Black Friday campaigns always generate buzz. Instead of slashing prices, Apple focuses on limited-time gift cards and sleek promotional videos. The brand’s minimalistic approach and emotional connection with its loyal customers drive massive engagement and conversions.
2. Amazon – Personalized Deals for Everyone
Amazon dominates every Black Friday by combining AI-powered recommendations and personalized video ads. Their campaign theme “Countdown to Black Friday” keeps shoppers returning daily. The secret? Amazon makes each user feel their deals are handpicked — a powerful example of personalization at scale.
3. Walmart – Value Meets Family Connection
Walmart’s Black Friday ads often center around family moments and the excitement of giving. In 2023, the retailer launched a heartwarming video ad featuring holiday gatherings and easy online shopping options. The emotional tone, paired with unbeatable prices, helped Walmart set new sales records.
4. Nike – Motivation Through Storytelling
Nike’s “You Can’t Stop Us” campaign blended motivation and diversity, becoming one of the most shared Black Friday ads online. Instead of just pushing products, Nike focused on movement, perseverance, and unity — turning an ordinary sale into a meaningful story.
5. Target – Seamless Shopping Across Devices
Target’s strategy focuses on integrating in-store and online experiences. Their “Deals Worth Running For” campaign used vibrant visuals and interactive video ads optimized for mobile and social media. The result? A 35% surge in app engagement during Black Friday week.
6. Samsung – Power of Product Demos
Samsung’s Black Friday campaigns highlight innovation. By using cinematic video demonstrations to showcase their latest TVs, smartphones, and appliances, Samsung appeals to tech enthusiasts who value performance. The brand also integrates AR previews, giving customers a near real-life shopping experience.
7. Best Buy – Urgency and Trust
Best Buy nails the art of creating urgency. Their “Doorbuster Deals” campaign featured countdown timers, early access perks, and bold video ads emphasizing limited stock. The campaign’s trust-driven message — quality electronics at guaranteed low prices — resonated deeply with tech-savvy buyers.
8. Sephora – Beauty in Motion
Sephora’s Black Friday ads embrace creativity and diversity. Their 2023 campaign used vibrant motion graphics and influencer-led videos showcasing quick transformations using discounted products. This approach boosted both video engagement and e-commerce conversions.
9. Coca-Cola – Nostalgia with a Twist
Coca-Cola’s ads remind us of the warmth of sharing moments. Their Black Friday campaign paired classic holiday music with short video clips of friends enjoying Coke during festive shopping sprees. The message: “Some things never go out of style.” Nostalgia, paired with digital storytelling, worked perfectly.
10. IKEA – Sustainable Shopping Matters
IKEA’s “Buy Back Friday” campaign took a different route — encouraging customers to return old furniture for store credit. This sustainability-focused message stood out amid discount-heavy ads, positioning IKEA as a socially responsible brand that customers respect and trust.
Top 5 Black Friday Ad Generator Tools for High-Impact Campaigns
1. Invideo
Invideo is the perfect tool for creating eye-catching Black Friday ads quickly and affordably. With its easy drag-and-drop interface, you can upload visuals, add text, transitions, and music to craft stunning marketing videos in minutes. As one of the best video apps, invideo’s AI automates scene transitions and video creation. Plus, its vast stock library of images, clips, and effects makes ad design effortless. Whether for e-commerce, fashion, or digital offers, invideo helps you create visually engaging ads that drive real conversions.
2. Animaker
Animaker is great for creating animated Black Friday ad videos. Its pre-designed templates, characters, and visual effects let you produce engaging storytelling-based promotions. You can easily add voiceovers, product highlights, and festive transitions — all without prior animation skills.
3. FlexClip
FlexClip offers a simple browser-based editor with templates specifically designed for holiday campaigns. It allows you to combine videos, images, and text with professional effects. Its AI-powered captioning and brand kits make it ideal for creating quick social media video ads.
4. Canva
Canva is not just for static designs — it’s also perfect for short video ads. The platform includes hundreds of motion templates for Black Friday campaigns, along with brand customization tools. You can easily adjust fonts, logos, and music to match your brand’s style.
5. VEED.IO
VEED.IO simplifies ad creation by offering easy-to-use video editing tools with text animations, filters, and subtitles. Its online collaboration feature is excellent for teams planning multiple ad versions for different platforms during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Tips for Creating a Winning Black Friday Ad Campaign
- Start Early: Build anticipation at least two weeks before the sale.
- Use AI and Automation: Leverage AI tools like invideo for faster and smarter video production.
- Optimize for Mobile: Most Black Friday traffic comes from mobile devices — design accordingly.
- Focus on Emotions: Ads that evoke joy, nostalgia, or excitement perform better.
- Add Clear CTAs: Make sure your “Shop Now” or “Grab Deal” buttons are visible and clickable.
- Test Multiple Formats: Use A/B testing for video lengths, headlines, and visuals.
Conclusion
The best Black Friday ad campaigns prove that creativity, emotion, and technology go hand in hand. From Apple’s minimalism to IKEA’s sustainability and Nike’s storytelling, each campaign delivers a unique brand experience.
With modern tools like invideo, anyone can now create professional-grade Black Friday ads that capture attention and drive sales — all without needing expensive equipment or editing skills. So this season, let your creativity shine and turn your brand’s offers into unforgettable visuals that sell.