{"id":93865,"date":"2025-11-25T01:49:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T14:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=71492"},"modified":"2026-02-02T15:30:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T04:30:49","slug":"advertising-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/advertising-trends","title":{"rendered":"Advertising trends 2026: Cinema and epic storytelling craft the best ads of the year ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ads specifically tailored to how you behave? AI-generated commercials? In 2026, advertising trends look more Minority Report than Mad Men. This futuristic outlook takes into account the rapidly changing nature of the creative industries, and how AI, VR, and AR are changing the game faster than you can say \u2019Super Bowl<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, while the way<\/em> businesses advertise is evolving in line with tech development, the creative content of advertising is something entirely different. Audiences are looking back to nostalgic cinema, feeling cosy with animal critters, and responding positively to ads that tap into neglected social issues. There\u2019s also a strong leaning towards sophisticated storytelling and creative aesthetics that mimic the very best of independent film (A24 has a lot to answer for).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ads of 2026 have substance as well as gadgetry, with brands willing to take creative risks likely to be the winners in the year ahead. Read on to discover our complete advertising trends report for 2026, watch examples that are already setting the tone, and find tips and resources for creating your own creative campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover the biggest 2026 advertising trends in our essential trend report for the advertising industry and creative folk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Celebrating human creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AI is making its mark in the advertising industry, but creative agencies are starting to utilize AI technology<\/a> to free up time, as AI can perform tasks such as administration and analytics that would otherwise consume creative resources. Celebrating human creativity<\/strong> acknowledges the growing impact of human craft, artistry, and storytelling in advertising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some brands are recognising people\u2019s innate desire to create, even in and perhaps in reaction to an environment of digital automation. Apple\u2019s \u2018Great Ideas on Mac\u2019<\/a> campaign was a great example of this brewing mood in 2025, and Crayola\u2019s ‘Creative Acts of Color’<\/a>, which encouraged anyone to submit creative artworks inspired by the colorfully crayoned drawing of a nine-year-old Texan girl, shows how creativity-themed campaigns are fantastic ways to engage audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re also expecting to see more advertising campaigns that mimic high art aesthetics in 2026, following the lead of Lily Allen\u2019s album and video artwork for seismic album West End Girl, as well as the influence of Emerald Fennell\u2019s hyper-aesthetic take on Wuthering Heights<\/em>, set to release in 2026.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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