Choosing the right type of YouTube advert can feel like a lot of pressure, especially when you only have 5 seconds to convince someone not to hit “skip.” But here’s the good news: with the right creative approach and a production team who understands how people behave on YouTube, your advert can stand out for all the right reasons.

At Brickoven Media, we’ve spent years creating high-retention, high-performing YouTube ads for brands across the UK. And we’ve learned that all winning ads fall into one of these three core formats.

Below, you’ll find the 3 most effective types of YouTube adverts, along with insights on which businesses they suit, how they perform, and how to make each one genuinely unskippable.

1. Talking Heads – Put Personality at the Centre

A “talking head” video features someone, usually a founder, team member, or customer, speaking directly to the camera. When done badly, it can feel flat. When done well, it’s one of the most powerful and cost-effective ad formats.

Why Talking Head Ads Still Work

With AI-generated content everywhere, authenticity is now a competitive advantage. Google’s digital marketing trends and insights report shows that human-led, story-based ads continue to have higher recall and stronger watch time than overly polished corporate-style productions.

Two high-performing approaches:

Brand Story Version

You, or a team member, speak directly to the viewer, sharing your brand story, mission, and what sets you apart. This is supported with beautiful b-roll footage of your workspace, team, or product.

Perfect for service-based brands, small businesses, and companies where trust drives sales.

Testimonial Version

Real customers tell their story, paired with footage of them using your product or service. It builds trust, reduces friction and gives viewers a clear picture of what to expect.

Why Brickoven Media recommends this format

The Brickoven team excel at guiding founders on camera, capturing natural delivery even if someone has no on-camera experience. These ads are ideal for anyone wanting to increase trust and fuel conversions quickly.

2. Product Videos – Show Off What Makes You Different

Product videos remain one of the strongest performers across YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok, especially as 2026 trends will continue leaning toward bold visuals, rich textures, and fast-paced edits.

This format lets your product do the talking.

Why Product Videos Work

Consumers want to see what they’re buying. With so much competition in e-commerce, product videos that use cinematic lighting, macro shots or real-life demonstrations instantly stand out.

Choose between:

Studio Product Video

Clean, controlled environments with bold lighting and crisp detail. Perfect for drinks, cosmetics, accessories, tech, homeware and food.

Real-World Product Video

Show the item in context: on the road, in the kitchen, in the gym, in someone’s hands. This approach sells lifestyle and aspiration.

Brickoven Media’s advantage

Brickoven combine filmmaking expertise with commercial strategy, meaning you get visuals that look incredible and drive action. They also optimise edits per platform, ensuring the same project performs across multiple channels.

3. Narrative Adverts – Storytelling That Sticks

Narrative adverts are the most creative approach, and often the most memorable. They’re ideal for brands wanting to build emotional connection or make a big splash.

Narrative Trends for 2026

• Real-customer mini-docs
• Emotion-driven brand storytelling
• Hybrid live-action + animation
• Abstract, conceptual ads
• Value or mission-led storytelling
• “A day in the life” journeys

Why These Ads Win

Stories make your brand stick in viewers’ minds, long after the ad ends. Plus, great narrative ads often get shared, giving you free visibility beyond your paid campaign.

When Brickoven recommends this format

These ads work brilliantly for brands with strong values, a big creative idea, or a desire to stand out in a crowded market. Brickoven’s cinematic approach and storytelling background make them a perfect fit for narrative-led production.

Which Type of Advert Suits Your Business?

Talking Head

For businesses that rely on trust, connection and expertise.

Product Video

For brands with visually appealing products that pop on camera.

Narrative Video

For companies ready to invest in creativity, memorability and impact.

Ready to Create an Unskippable YouTube Ad?

Brickoven Media collaborate with brands to craft strategic, creative, platform-ready content that performs across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo and beyond.

Explore:

• Commercial Video Production Services
• Case Studies & Portfolio
• YouTube Advertising Production
• Our YouTube Advertising Guide

If you want us to create an unskippable YouTube Ad get in touch with us at info@brickovenmedia.co.uk or call us at 07840349091.