Short-Form Video vs Traditional Ads: Which Actually Works Better?

Joey Lever
Oct 3
2 min read

In today’s digital world, attention is the most valuable currency. Businesses are constantly asking the same question: should we invest in traditional advertising, or focus on short-form video for social media?

At Another World Media, we’ve produced everything from cinematic campaigns to 15-second reels, so we’ve seen firsthand how both approaches perform. The answer isn’t as simple as “one or the other” — but the shift in 2025 is undeniable.

Why Traditional Ads Still Matter

Traditional advertising — think TV spots, glossy product commercials, or big event campaigns — offers reach, familiarity, and prestige. These ads are designed to make a splash, often backed by big budgets and polished production value.

They’re great for:

Launching a new brand or product with impact
Building authority and trust in established markets
Reaching audiences that still consume TV, radio, or print

But here’s the catch: traditional ads demand high investment, and they’re one-size-fits-all. Once an ad is out there, it’s hard to tweak if engagement drops.

The Rise of Short-Form Video

Scroll through TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts and you’ll see why short-form content is dominating. These quick, engaging clips meet audiences exactly where they spend their time — on their phones.

Short-form videos are:

Cost-effective: You can test multiple edits (A/B testing) without burning through budget.
Engaging: Viewers are more likely to watch a 15–30 second clip to the end.
Shareable: Trends, sounds, and hashtags amplify organic reach.
Flexible: Easy to adapt for different platforms and campaigns.

At Another World Media, we’ve run campaigns where a single short-form reel outperformed a full-scale ad in terms of clicks, comments, and conversions. The data doesn’t lie: attention spans are shorter, but impact can be bigger.

Which Works Better?

The truth is, it depends on your goals.

Want prestige, brand positioning, or to make a bold statement? Traditional ads still shine.
Want engagement, direct audience connection, and data-driven results? Short-form video wins every time.

For many brands, the sweet spot is a hybrid strategy — launch with a cinematic advert, then break it down into multiple short-form edits optimised for social media. That way, you get the best of both worlds: reach and retention.

Final Thoughts

The era of “one video fits all” is over. In 2025, the brands winning online are those willing to experiment, adapt, and meet their audience on the platforms they already love.

At Another World Media, we help businesses do exactly that. From BBC campaigns to social-first content for brands like Dunelm and Jake & Nayns, we create video strategies that connect, engage, and convert.

👉 Thinking about your next campaign? Let’s talk.