Food advertisements have a unique power to get our attention and make our taste buds tingle. Whether it’s the sizzling of a juicy steak, the oozing cheese on a pizza, or the decadent layers of a chocolate cake, these advertisements have a way of making us drool.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes food ads so unique, provide you with six tips for creating effective food ad designs, and show 11 examples of remarkable digital food advertisements that left a lasting impression on viewers.
Get ready to test your senses as you discover the best food ads!
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What makes food ads unique?
Food ads stand out from other forms of advertising for several reasons. Firstly, they tap into our primal desire for nourishment and pleasure. By showcasing delicious food in all its glory, these ads evoke strong emotional and sensory responses. They engage our senses which makes us envision the taste, smell, and texture of the food.
Plus, food advertisements often tell stories that connect with our memories, traditions, and aspirations, creating a deep emotional connection with the audience. Visual appeal, storytelling, and emotional appeal are key factors that set food ads apart and make them truly unique.
What are food ad designs?
Food ad designs are the visual representations and creative concepts used to entice consumers with irresistible imagery and visual storytelling. From vibrant colors and appetizing close-ups to clever copywriting and captivating layouts, food ad designs employ various techniques to evoke desire and create a strong craving.
Six tips for creating effective food ad designs
To make sure you’re creating effective food ad designs that are unique and appealing to the audience, follow these six tips:
- Visual presentation
- Sensory stimulation
- Storytelling and emotional connection
- Authenticity and transparency
- Humor and creativity
- Call to action
Visual presentation
Food is a feast for the eyes, and the visual presentation of your dish is crucial. Use high-quality photos, and appetizing imagery that shows the colors, textures, and freshness of the food.
More specifically, you can use close-ups, slow-motion shots, and vibrant backgrounds to create an effective image and make the food come alive on screen.
Sensory stimulation
Incorporate sound effects, background music, and narration and make sure to heighten the sensory experience by engaging multiple senses at once. This can include the sizzle of a hot pan, the crunch of a bite, or the pouring of a beverage can.
Anything you do should have the goal of transporting viewers into the world of flavors and aromas.
Storytelling and emotional connection
One really important thing is to develop a narrative around the food that resonates with your target audience.
Highlight personal experiences, celebrations, or moments of connection that revolve around the food. This will make viewers feel a part of the story and connect emotionally to the brand.
Authenticity and transparency
Consumers value authenticity and transparency. Show them how the real food is being prepared, use natural ingredients, and be transparent about the sourcing and production processes.
Authenticity will help you build trust and make your food more appealing to conscious consumers.
Humor and creativity
Using humor and creativity in your food ad design will make all ads memorable. Playful scenarios, unexpected plot-twists, or clever wordplay will leave a lasting impression on your customers and create a positive association with your brand.
Call to action
Just like with any other type of ad, your food advertisement needs an ending with a clear call to action. Encourage viewers to visit your restaurant, order online, or try a specific product.
You can even provide incentives like limited-time offers, discounts, or exclusive deals to create a sense of urgency and increase your chances of having them run to your restaurant!
11 examples of great digital food advertisements
1. Chipotle – Back to The Start (2011)
In a two-minute short animated film, Chipotle shows the journey of a farmer who transitions from industrialized farming to sustainable practices.
This food advertisement perfectly communicated what the brand truly stands for, which is a commitment to responsibly sourced ingredients. They managed to strike an emotional chord with viewers while highlighting the importance of sustainable food choices.
2. Oreo – Whisper Fight (2013)
This playful and imaginative food ad featured two individuals engaging in an epic “whisper fight” in a library. The ad shows the fun and joy of eating Oreos while capturing the attention of viewers with its creative storyline and entertaining visuals.
3. McDonald’s – Nocturnal Animals (2020)
This creative and appealing food ad is not the first time McDonald’s gave us all a lesson on how to reinforce brand image while creating an entertaining food ad. But it’s a great example to look at!
In this visually stunning ad, McDonald’s showed its late-night menu by transforming nocturnal animals into various fast-food items. This food ad effectively conveyed the message that McDonald’s is available even during the late hours, satisfying late-night cravings in a whimsical and captivating way.
Source: ads of the world
For more great McDonald’s ads, check out our 8 McDonald’s marketing campaigns that get our approval.
4. KFC – Finger lickin’ goodness (2020)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, KFC temporarily suspended its famous slogan, “Finger lickin’ good,” due to hygiene concerns.
But, in a bold move, they released a food ad that blurred out the slogan in every frame, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to safety while maintaining its iconic phrase.
This clever adaptation of their original food ad not only resonated with viewers but it also created a huge buzz around the brand.
5. Heinz – Ed’s Heinz Ad (2020)
Back in 2020, Ed Sheeran starred in a Heinz ketchup ad that humorously showed his obsession with the sauce. This food ad capitalized on Ed Sheeran’s likeability and combined it with a relatable love for Heinz ketchup, resulting in a memorable and entertaining advertisement.
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6. Snickers – Mr Bean (2015)
Is there even a way to combine Mr Bean with Snickers humor, without ending up with an amazing food ad?
This Snickers food ad featured the beloved character Mr Bean getting transformed into a modern-day superhero after eating a Snickers bar. With its humorous approach and by including the iconic Mr Bean, this food ad successfully communicated the brand’s “You’re not you when you’re hungry” message.
7. Coca-cola – Share a Coke (2013)
There’s something about us that makes us love seeing our names on any product we can buy.
And Coca-Cola used this as a strategy for their hugely successful campaign “Share a Coke”.
They personalized their bottles by printing popular names from different countries on them. This unique approach encouraged people to find bottles with their names or those of loved ones, fostering a sense of connection and personalization.
This food ad became a massive success and generated a wave of social media engagement.
8. Doritos – Crash the Super Bowl (2016)
Doritos invited consumers to create their own commercials for a chance to have it aired during the Super Bowl.
One of the winning ads featured dogs in a Doritos-themed chase, adding humor and cuteness to the brand’s image. The campaign was a huge win for the brand because it engaged consumers, created buzz, and showed the creativity of the Doritos community.
If you’d like to see more amazing Super Bowl ads, make sure to check out our The 25 best Super Bowl commercials of all time article.
9. Domino’s – Pizza Turnaround
Back in 2010, Domino’s pizza was facing major criticism for the low quality of their products and the company was determined to change things around! In their “Pizza Turnaround” campaign, the brand not only significantly improved the quality of its pizzas, but showed the world how much the change really means to everyone working at the company.
They created a documentary-like four-minute-long commercial, showing the staff, the former staff, and the unsatisfied customers talking about the image of the brand and how it’s changed over the years.
This piece of advertising is a unique example of food ad designs where authenticity, and a genuine attempt to change can completely turn around a brand image.
10. Taco Bell – Viva Young
“Viva la Youg” which premiered during the Super Bowl in 2013 is undoubtedly one of the best Taco Bell commercials. As the group of lively and mischievous senior citizens break free from their nursing home for a night of adventure, they stop at the Taco Bell for a late-night meal.
This food ad effectively conveyed a sense of fun, spontaneity, and rebellion while promoting Taco Bell’s late-night offerings. It captured the attention of viewers with its lighthearted and unexpected storyline, making it one of the most memorable Taco Bell commercials to date.
11. Burger King – Whopper Detour
One of the most brilliant Burger King food ads is the “Whopper Detour” campaign. Launched in 2018, the ad aimed to promote the Burger King app by offering customers a one-cent Whopper if they ordered it from a McDonald’s location.
This funny and clever concept capitalized on the rivalry between Burger King and McDonald’s, and generated a huge buzz while creating a sense of excitement among viewers.
The “Whopper Detour” ad successfully highlighted the convenience and benefits of using the Burger King app, and its witty approach made it a standout commercial for the brand.
