The Global Impact of Video and Animation in Marketing: A 2025 Research Report

Introduction

In 2025, video and animation have become essential tools in digital marketing. Businesses across sectors are adopting visual content to boost engagement, simplify communication, and improve campaign performance. This report presents a data-driven overview of how these formats are shaping global marketing strategies.

Key findings show that over 87% of marketers now use video and animation regularly—up from 68% in 2020 (Wyzowl, 2025). Video now accounts for 82% of total internet traffic (Cisco, 2025), reflecting a clear shift in audience preferences.

We analyze trends across regions, highlight industry-specific use cases, and examine how animation enhances retention and emotional connection. The report also explores emerging formats, including AI-generated animation and personalized video, offering marketers a roadmap for 2025 and beyond.

Global Adoption Overview 

Visual content has become a global standard. In 2025, 87% of marketers worldwide use video and animation as a core part of their strategy (Wyzowl, 2025). The U.S. and Europe remain leaders, with high adoption across B2B and B2C sectors. APAC, especially India, China, and South Korea, is seeing rapid growth through mobile-first platforms and localized animated content.

Regions like Latin America and Africa are also progressing, driven by improved mobile access and demand for digital learning. Industry-specific adoption is notable:

  • Tech and SaaS companies use animation for demos and onboarding.

  • Healthcare providers rely on visual explainers for patient education.

  • Retail integrates video into product pages and social media.

  • Education and e-learning heavily leverage animated modules.

The shift reflects a need for more engaging, accessible, and memorable content. Whether for storytelling or training, brands are partnering with an animation company to produce videos that resonate across cultures and platforms.

Why It Works: Psychology & Performance

Visual storytelling works because the brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text (Thermopylae Sciences + Technology, 2024). Studies show that viewers retain 90% of a message when delivered through video, compared to only 10% through written content (Insivia, 2025). That’s a game-changer for marketers aiming to educate, persuade, or convert.

Animation, in particular, simplifies complex ideas. It breaks down processes, adds emotion through character design and voiceover, and makes information easier to remember. This explains why animated explainers and tutorials continue to outperform static content.

Research from HubSpot shows that using animated onboarding videos led to a 20% increase in product adoption and a 15% reduction in support tickets (HubSpot, 2024). Viewers stay longer, click more, and feel more confident engaging with a product or brand when visual learning is involved.

This emotional connection—paired with clarity—makes animated content especially valuable for brand storytelling, product marketing, and education.

Platform Insights: Where Video and Animation Thrive 

In 2025, video-first platforms dominate digital attention. YouTube remains the global leader, hosting over 2.7 billion monthly active users (Statista, Q1 2025). TikTok’s surge continues with short-form animation driving high engagement, especially among Gen Z.

Meta’s platforms (Instagram and Facebook) now prioritize video through Reels and Stories, while LinkedIn has seen a 75% higher engagement rate on posts with animated explainers—especially in B2B content (LinkedIn Marketing Report, 2025).

Email campaigns using animated previews or GIF-style clips report up to 60% higher click-through rates (Campaign Monitor, 2025). E-commerce brands use animation to showcase product features, while SaaS companies use interactive video for onboarding and training.

This channel-based approach reflects how different industries tailor animation depending on audience behavior. A growing number of brands now work with an animation company to create cross-platform assets that are both entertaining and strategic.

2025 Trends in Animation

The animation industry in 2025 is driven by innovation and personalization. The top five trends include:

1. Hybrid Animation Styles

Brands blend 2D, 3D, and motion graphics to create flexible, visually rich stories that suit different platforms and goals.

2. AI-Powered Animation

AI tools now generate voiceovers, automate lip-syncing, and personalize content at scale—speeding up production and lowering costs.

3. Data-Driven Personalization

Animated videos customized by user behavior or location improve engagement and conversion. Netflix-style dynamic content is entering the marketing world.

4. Interactive Animation

Clickable elements in videos (like product demos or learning modules) boost engagement and increase session time.

5. Inclusive & Ethical Storytelling

Consumers respond to content that reflects diverse voices, sustainable practices, and culturally aware narratives.

Case Studies: Real Results from Global Brands

1. HubSpot – Animated Product Tutorials

HubSpot integrated animated videos into its user onboarding. As a result, they saw a 20% rise in feature adoption and a 15% drop in support tickets (HubSpot Case Review, 2024). The simplified animations helped users navigate complex tools without added support.

2. Unilever – Sustainability Campaigns

Unilever’s climate awareness videos used short, animated explainers. These videos reached 10 million+ viewers, with twice the engagement compared to their earlier static content (Unilever CSR Report, 2024). The animation format made sustainability messaging more relatable and easier to share.

3. Duolingo – Social Media Clips

Duolingo leaned into short-form animation on TikTok and Instagram. By using humorous clips featuring its mascot, the brand saw a 32% increase in app downloads from social traffic alone (Mobile Marketing Magazine, Q4 2024).

4. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) – Employee Training

TCS replaced traditional slides with animated training modules. They recorded a 95% completion rate—up from 68% the previous year (TCS Learning Report, 2025). Employees rated the animated content as more engaging and easier to understand.

These examples show that when brands make animated videos with purpose and alignment, the returns are measurable—whether through engagement, efficiency, or reach.

ROI and Marketing Impact

Video and animation now play a direct role in marketing ROI. According to Wyzowl’s 2025 survey, 91% of marketers say video helped them increase website traffic, and 87% report positive ROI from video marketing (Wyzowl State of Video Marketing, 2025).

Animation reduces support costs by replacing manuals with visual content. Animated explainers also improve click-through rates on landing pages and email campaigns, often doubling conversion potential.

A report by Oberlo (2025) shows that brands using animation in paid social ads saw 33% higher conversion rates compared to image-based campaigns. In e-learning, companies using animation report 50% faster course completion times and greater information retention.

The costs of production have also dropped. With AI-assisted tools and skilled animation companies offering competitive pricing, the barrier to entry is lower than ever. Brands can scale animated content affordably while tracking performance in real time.

In short, animation isn’t a cost—it’s an investment that improves clarity, engagement, and revenue when done right.

Role of Animation Companies in Strategic Marketing

In 2025, animation companies are more than creative vendors—they’re strategic partners. As video and animation become key drivers of brand visibility, businesses rely on animation experts not just for production, but for content strategy and optimization.

Leading animation companies now support scriptwriting, visual storytelling, platform-specific formatting, and analytics integration. They help brands align animation with SEO goals, brand tone, and audience behavior.

Outsourcing to skilled agencies has become cost-effective, especially in regions like India where production costs are lower, but quality remains high. Global brands increasingly collaborate with Indian studios for explainer videos, e-learning modules, and social media animations.

Beyond creative production, agencies now offer post-launch support—helping brands tweak videos based on performance insights. This collaboration ensures higher returns from every video asset created.

Businesses that work with experienced animation companies gain not only engaging content but also strategic clarity and execution.

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead

Looking forward, video and animation are set to dominate digital marketing even more. Google’s evolving algorithms increasingly favor visual content, especially videos that enhance user experience and session time.

AI-powered animation tools are accelerating production, enabling mass customization. Brands can now deliver hyper-personalized videos to users based on preferences, geography, and behavior—driving deeper engagement.

Interactive animations are also gaining ground. From click-based demos to branching explainer videos, brands are experimenting with two-way visual content. These formats not only educate but also entertain and convert.

Sustainability and inclusive storytelling will remain top priorities. Consumers respond to ethical messaging, and animation allows companies to present complex global issues—like climate change or diversity—in a clear, sensitive way.

As technology evolves, so will viewer expectations. Brands that embrace these shifts and make animated videos that are intelligent, ethical, and user-focused will lead the market.

Conclusion

The data from 2025 shows one thing clearly—video and animation are no longer optional. They are central to how brands educate, connect, and convert audiences across digital channels.

From boosting SEO and retention to enhancing ROI and global reach, video has proven its value across sectors. And animation? It’s what makes content digestible, engaging, and memorable—especially in a noisy digital world.

Now is the time to invest in thoughtful, well-crafted visual content. For businesses ready to stay ahead of the curve, partnering with the right animation company can turn storytelling into strategy—and views into action.

FAQs

Q1: Why are video and animation so effective in marketing today?

They boost retention and engagement—viewers remember 90% of a video message vs. 10% from text.

Q2: How do animation companies support business growth?

They offer creative and strategic services—storytelling, branding, SEO alignment, and analytics optimization.

Q3: What industries benefit most from animated videos?

Tech, education, healthcare, retail, and finance all use animation for training, marketing, and customer support.

Q4: Is animation cost-effective for small businesses?

Yes. AI tools and outsourcing have made professional-quality animation affordable for startups and SMEs.

Q5: What’s next in the animation space?

Expect more AI-powered, personalized, and interactive animation formats driven by real-time user data.

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