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As audience attention becomes harder to earn—and even harder to keep—marketers are increasingly turning to formats that entertain, inform, and build long-term connections. Enter the sponsored video series: a format that allows brands to think like publishers, behave like broadcasters, and deliver like storytellers.
Unlike one-off ads or static placements, sponsored video series create room for narratives to breathe. They invite audiences back again and again, building familiarity and trust over time. Whether it’s a celebrity-led road trip, a docuseries diving into social issues, or a playful social-first game show, the best series create value by blending editorial quality with brand purpose.
This long-form approach aligns with how people consume content today—on-demand, in episodes, across platforms—and it works. Done right, sponsored video series boosts brand recall, drives engagement far beyond benchmarks, and often shifts perception in ways traditional ads simply can’t. They’re not just good storytelling. They’re good business.
In this article, we've collected 10 of the best sponsored video series from 2025 so far—campaigns that demonstrate the creativity, effectiveness, and versatility of episodic branded content as a storytelling solution.
10 Best Examples of Sponsored Video Series 2025 [clickable table of contents]
Sponsored Video Series Example 1: Atlantic Re:think and Visit Seattle
Sponsored Video Series Example 3: Freethink Media and Unlikely Collaborators
Sponsored Video Series Example 4: BBC StoryWorks and Brand USA & GoUSA TV
Sponsored Video Series Example 5: BBC StoryWorks and Türkiye Tourism
Sponsored Video Series Example 8: Reach plc and Allwyn: Lotto
Sponsored Video Series Example 9: Vox.com and J.P. Morgan Payments
Sponsored Video Series Example 10: Aller Media Creative Studio and Festis
Types of Sponsored Video Series in 2025
But before you dive into the best examples of sponsored video series in 2025, let's have a quick overview of the most common types of sponsored video series.
At the Native Advertising Institute, we’ve identified seven core types of sponsored video series that brands are using to connect with audiences through serialised video content.
- Documentary-style storytelling
- Expert-led explainers
- Celebrity-driven formats
- Social-first episodic content
- Branded docu-series with purpose
- Challenge-based or competition series
- Product-as-hero integration
1. Documentary-style storytelling
These series dive into real people’s lives, often featuring personal journeys, social issues, or cultural deep-dives—framed through the lens of the brand’s values. They build emotional resonance and authenticity. Common examples of themes are subjects such as health transformations, culinary heritage, sustainability and small business stories.
2. Expert-led explainers
Educational series that simplifies complex topics—whether it’s AI, finance, or climate change—by combining authoritative voices with strong visuals. Often paired with high production values or animation. The most common format for these types of sponsored video series is explainer-style videos hosted by journalists, academics, or scientists.
3. Celebrity-driven formats
Familiar faces draw attention, but the key is giving them room to share stories or explore topics with depth and personality. These often blend entertainment with personal insight. They usually take the form of travel diaries, “a day in the life”, or playful interviews.
4. Social-first episodic content
Fast-paced, bite-sized series tailored for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. These formats favour humour, challenge-based storytelling, and relatable real-life moments. Formats for these social-first sponsored video series are often “Never Have I Ever,” “Spin the Bottle,” “Hot Takes,” or influencer-led POV.
5. Branded docu-series with purpose
Often tied to CSR or brand mission, these series focus on impact—highlighting individuals or initiatives the brand supports. Think “content that does good.” They can cover themes like empowering underserved communities, education or innovation for change.
6. Challenge-based or competition series
Inspired by reality TV, these formats invite participants to achieve something (physical, creative, or intellectual), with the brand as facilitator. Builds engagement through narrative progression. They can often take on the likeness of talent showcases, cooking competitions or travel challenges.
7. Product-as-hero integration
The series is structured around a product or service, but presented through real use cases, testimonials, or fictional scenarios. Integration is natural, not forced. The most common formats for these types of sponsored video series are mini-dramas, “How I use [product]” stories or day-in-the-life segments.
10 Examples of Sponsored Video Series [2025 Updated]
Sponsored Video Series Example 1: Atlantic Re:think and Visit Seattle
In an inspired fusion of storytelling and civic identity, Atlantic Re:think and Visit Seattle delivered a standout branded video series that positions Seattle not just as a destination, but as a defender of intellectual freedom. Seattle Bookmarked: Banned Edition builds on the success of its predecessor by inviting prominent locals to read from books by Seattle authors that have been banned or challenged—turning literary censorship into a compelling cultural draw.
Filmed in the iconic Seattle Public Library, the campaign transformed simple readings into cinematic experiences, combining stylised b-roll and evocative visuals to bring the city’s literary soul to life. With titles like Brave Face, Ghost Boys, and Lawn Boy, each video spotlights Seattle’s progressive values, reinforcing the city’s appeal to “Advenculturists” – culturally curious travellers who seek out meaningful experiences.
Strategically distributed across YouTube, Meta platforms, and The Atlantic’s owned media, the campaign delivered impressive results: 847,348 views (13% above target), 50% average video completion rate (double the platform benchmark), and a remarkable 40% lift in travel consideration. Crucially, 63% of engagers aligned with the target audience – up three points from the previous season.
The campaign's strength lies in its ability to balance purpose and performance. By leaning into controversial subject matter with sensitivity and style, the team sparked meaningful engagement without sacrificing brand favourability – which held strong at 86%.
Seattle Bookmarked: Banned Edition stands as a masterclass in values-led branded content: visually rich, insight-driven, and designed to resonate deeply with its audience. In a crowded travel content landscape, it proves that sometimes the most powerful way to promote a place is to let its voices—especially the silenced ones—speak.
Sponsored Video Series Example 2: Schibsted and Norwegian
After years of turbulence, Norwegian Airlines turned the page with Takeoff—a refreshing native video series that swaps transactional messaging for emotional lift-off. Created by Schibsted Partnerstudio, this campaign repositions Norwegian as more than a low-cost airline. It’s a passport to adventure.
The series follows three travel influencers as they compete to become Norwegian’s Travel Expert 2024. Through playful challenges themed around hidden gems, local cuisine, and dream experiences, Takeoff serves up bite-sized escapism and authentic travel inspiration.
The result? A destination-driven brand campaign that puts storytelling before selling, and people before promotions.
From long-form episodes on VGTV to Snap Shows optimised for scroll-stopping attention, the campaign combines premium video craft with strategic multi-platform deployment. And it worked. With nearly 82,000 views on VGTV, almost three minutes of average watch time, and a 1.1% click-through rate on Snapchat—well above benchmark—the series proved that branded content can captivate without interrupting.
More importantly, it shifted perception: 88% of viewers correctly recalled Norwegian as the brand behind the content, and 72% said the series inspired them to travel with the airline. The influencers didn’t just host; they extended the campaign’s reach through behind-the-scenes content across Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok—sustaining brand visibility long after the final credits rolled.
Takeoff is a case study in using entertainment to build emotional equity. It’s a campaign that doesn’t just showcase destinations—it inspires action. And in a crowded media landscape, that’s the kind of impact brands should be boarding.
Sponsored Video Series Example 3: Freethink Media and Unlikely Collaborators
Can branded content shift the way we see the world? That was the audacious goal behind Perception Box—a groundbreaking series from Freethink Creative Studio and Unlikely Collaborators in partnership with Big Think. With an ambition to challenge limiting beliefs and spark introspection, the campaign turned a dense psychological concept into a cultural conversation.
Delivered through three distinct video series, Perception Box balanced science, celebrity, and soul. The Science of Perception Box provided a rigorous foundation with expert insight from neuroanatomists and psychologists. Question Your Perception Box used playful, gamified interviews with public figures like Steve-O, Jewel, and Jason Derulo to explore moments of personal growth. And Stories Untangled offered deeply moving, animated narratives—human stories told through visual metaphor, emotion, and voice.
Together, the 29-episode series reached over 21 million views and 6 million completed views, far surpassing KPIs and inspiring 75 million people through influencer amplification. But beyond reach, Perception Box drove reflection: thousands of comments showed audiences weren’t just watching—they were engaging, debating, and rethinking.
The campaign’s greatest triumph? Making complex science personal. It gave audiences multiple entry points—educational, emotional, and experiential—and met them where they were, across YouTube, Instagram, written content, and guest social channels. By doing so, it transformed passive media consumption into meaningful self-inquiry.
With standout quotes from guests (“the most professional YouTube video I’ve ever been a part of” – Steve-O) and renewed partnership plans for three more series in 2025, Perception Box proves that when native video goes beyond branding and into belief systems, it doesn’t just inform—it transforms.
Sponsored Video Series Example 4: BBC StoryWorks and Brand USA & GoUSA TV
When competition is global and perception is everything, Brand USA and BBC StoryWorks knew they had to do more than showcase destinations—they had to create emotional resonance. Enter USA Through Film: a rich, human-led video series that turns familiar faces into trusted guides, and transforms U.S. cities into deeply personal travel invitations.
Built on BBC StoryWorks' Science of Engagement research, the campaign leaned into the power of people-centric narratives—because travellers don’t just follow guidebooks, they follow people they trust. Each episode pairs viewers with a well-known film or TV personality as they return to a city that shaped them. These aren’t polished promo reels; they’re love letters—messy, soulful, and real.
With distribution across BBC World News, GoUSA TV, and social platforms, the campaign reached over 332 million impressions and generated powerful impact: 80% of viewers said they planned to visit the U.S. within a year, and 75% reported a “very positive” sentiment toward the country. That’s not just awareness—it’s affinity.
The insight driving the series was simple yet profound: friends and family are the most influential voices in travel decisions. By turning celebrities into surrogates for those familiar voices—and layering in diverse, authentic cultural experiences—USA Through Film tapped into something deeper than wanderlust. It tapped into belonging.
This is native video at its most effective: global in scale, intimate in tone, and data-informed from concept to execution. In an age where attention is scarce and trust is currency, USA Through Film proves that the best way to promote a place is to let it speak through people who love it most.
Sponsored Video Series Example 5: BBC StoryWorks and Türkiye Tourism
To reframe Turkey as more than sun, sea, and street food, BBC StoryWorks and &FRIENDS partnered with Türkiye Tourism to deliver The Colours of Türkiye—a two-part, multi-platform film and digital experience that invites travellers to see the country through an entirely new lens: colour.
Tapping into the global rise of experience-led travel, the series follows photographer Ana Lui as she journeys across Turkey—capturing its contrasts, cultures, and characters. The “warm” film explores hospitality, heritage, and sacred moments, while the “cool” film reflects Turkey’s modern side, from wellness retreats and edgy nightlife to culinary creativity. This narrative device not only segments the experience but mirrors the emotional tones of travel itself.
Anchored in BBC’s Science of Engagement methodology, the campaign was designed to inform, entertain, and inspire. It combined television reach (450M+ households), digital depth (bbc.com), and social impact (16.7M impressions), while Ana Lui’s photography brought a personal, journalistic authenticity that made Turkey feel less like a destination and more like a lived experience.
The results are as vibrant as the concept itself: 5 million video views, a 40% video completion rate (10% above benchmark), and a 92-second uplift in article dwell time. Brand favourability rose by 69%, travel intent by 47%, and audience perceptions shifted dramatically—positioning Turkey as a destination that defies stereotypes and delivers depth.
The Colours of Türkiye is native storytelling at its cinematic best—emotionally resonant, insight-driven, and beautifully executed across platforms. By letting real eyes and real stories lead the way, it paints a nuanced, authentic portrait of a country that’s as diverse as it is dazzling.
Sponsored Video Series Example 6: The Guardian and Samsung
In a media landscape saturated with AI hype and confusion, Samsung and The Guardian found a smarter way in: through the lens of maths legend and cultural icon Hannah Fry. The Formula to Life is a multi-platform native series that humanises AI—exploring life’s quirkiest questions while seamlessly weaving in Samsung Galaxy AI’s real-world relevance.
What began as a column series in The Guardian’s Saturday magazine expanded into a filmed vodcast—The Guardian’s first—starring Fry alongside author Emma Dabiri and geneticist Adam Rutherford. Across formats, the trio tackled topics like humour, language, selfies and creativity, blending academic insight, playful banter, and product integration in ways that felt authentic and engaging.
From boxout content on AI-powered sketch tools to organic in-conversation use of the Galaxy Z Flip6’s Live Translate feature, the campaign smartly placed product moments where they mattered—supporting the story rather than interrupting it. The vodcast’s candid and relatable tone gave tech a human face, and audiences responded.
Campaign results showed the impact of this approach:
- 81% of recallers said they were inspired to learn more about Galaxy AI
- 71% said they were more likely to purchase
- Those exposed were 127% more likely to choose Samsung as their top smart device brand (vs. 100% benchmark)
The formula worked—by fusing expert-led curiosity with everyday utility, the campaign elevated Samsung’s brand while building trust through education and storytelling. It’s a compelling reminder that native advertising doesn’t need to shout. Sometimes, it just needs to ask a better question.
Sponsored Video Series Example 7: DPG Media and Optimel
To launch its new high-protein product line, Optimel needed more than a health claim. They needed a story rooted in relevance. Enter Libelle walks the 4Days Marches with Optimel Protein—a six-part branded video series that proves native storytelling can be both authentic and action-inspiring.
Created by Brandstudio van DPG Media, the campaign centres on four real Dutch women preparing for the world’s largest walking event: the 4Daagse van Nijmegen. With an average age of 48, over 45,000 participants, and a culture of commitment, the march was the perfect narrative match for Optimel Protein’s target audience—women aged 50+ seeking strength, energy, and well-being.
Rather than traditional promotion, the campaign walked the walk. Over six months, the women trained, vlogged, consulted dieticians, and shared their highs, lows, and learning moments—all with Optimel Protein naturally integrated into their routines. The result was not just branded content, but a deeply human journey toward a shared goal: crossing the Via Gladiola finish line.
The campaign smashed benchmarks:
- Long-form videos outperformed quality view rates by 140%
- Expert-led articles doubled average reading time
- Brand favourability rose by 18% among exposed audiences
- Purchase intent jumped by 20 percentage points
More importantly, the series offered proof that storytelling doesn’t need celebrities or gimmicks to connect. It requires purpose, participation, and proximity to real lives. By aligning product benefits with an emotional, relatable challenge, Optimel didn’t just launch a new SKU—it positioned itself as a partner in everyday strength.
Optimel goes the extra mile is a standout case in empathetic, user-centred storytelling—where walking becomes narrative, and protein becomes promise.
Sponsored Video Series Example 8: Reach plc and Allwyn: Lotto
With Will You Be Next?, Allwyn and Reach plc reimagined lottery marketing—not by shouting from the rooftops, but by listening on the streets. This multi-platform campaign put social proof at the heart of the story, using hyper-localised native content to make the dream of winning Lotto feel close, real, and possible.
Filmed across 12 UK cities with regionally relevant talent, the campaign asked everyday people what they’d do if they hit the jackpot. The result? A celebration of ambition, humour, and humanity. From playful vox pops to the heartwarming Won in a Million vodcast series, the creative tapped into the diversity of dreams and voices across the country—creating connection, not just coverage.
The campaign made full use of Reach’s vast media ecosystem:
- 32 print coverwraps
- 12 Instagram collabs with local newsbrands
- Native articles and competitions on national and regional sites
- A vodcast distributed via YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and @dailymirror
The impact? Over 29 million UK adults reached (vs 22M projected), 7.9M social video views, and engagement rates nearly double the benchmark. Crucially, 80% of recallers took further action, and QR codes on local coverwraps became the top-performing digital driver to play.
Will You Be Next? proves that native video doesn’t just scale—it resonates. By reflecting communities back to themselves, the campaign didn’t just sell the dream. It made it feel shared, accessible, and worth believing in.
Sponsored Video Series Example 9: Vox.com and J.P. Morgan Payments
B2B native advertising often struggles to blend clarity with creativity—but Payments, Explained proves you can have both. Created by Vox Creative for J.P. Morgan Payments, this sharp, stylised video series transformed complex fintech messaging into an engaging visual journey that resonated well beyond the finance crowd.
At the heart of the campaign were two short explainer videos designed to make J.P. Morgan’s Customer Insights platform feel not only accessible but essential. The challenge: how do you show that raw data is useless without the ability to interpret it? The solution: handcrafted miniature worlds, playful motion graphics, and smart metaphors—from stop-motion shopping aisles to data visualised as mountain ranges and footprints. The campaign ditched dry charts in favour of narrative-led creativity, making the intangible tangible.
Hosted across Vox.com and social platforms like LinkedIn, the campaign drew on Vox’s award-winning Explainer Studio to shape the storytelling arc: tap into curiosity, simplify complexity, and showcase product benefits without ever leading with them. It worked. The campaign delivered 13.2 million impressions, surpassed expectations by 123%, and achieved a video completion rate of 36%. Most importantly, unaided brand awareness among exposed audiences increased by 3–4x compared to the control group.
Payments, Explained succeeded because it didn’t just tell people what J.P. Morgan Payments does—it showed them why it matters, using design, narrative and emotional resonance to reframe dry data as a competitive edge. It’s a prime example of how branded content can drive recall, reposition perception, and make even the most complex B2B solutions feel human, helpful, and even a little fun.
Sponsored Video Series Example 10: Aller Media Creative Studio and Festis
To launch its new summer flavours and shake off its “kids’ drink” image, Festis teamed up with Hänt.se to show that it’s just as perfect for fun-loving adults. The result was a colourful, celebrity-powered native video series that combined nostalgic party games with playful storytelling—perfectly crafted for TikTok and Meta.
Produced by Aller Media Creative Studio, the campaign centred on two classic, format-driven series: Never Have I Ever and Spin the Bottle—starring some of Sweden’s best-known personalities. Each video featured lively interactions, personal revelations, and Festis front and centre—sipped during confessions, spun to spark challenges, and always present as a mood-booster. By using Hänt’s own editors and social hosts, the content felt authentic, organic, and true to both brands.
But it wasn’t just fun and games. This was smart, strategic branded content. The series format created anticipation, familiarity, and high repeat engagement. Distribution spanned TikTok, Meta, a dedicated landing page, influencer extensions via the SPARKS network, and targeted banners—all designed to reach Festis’ expanded target audience of adults aged 18–55.
And it worked:
- 3.6 million video views (+20% over goal)
- +81% preference uplift among those exposed
- +54% increase in brand association with “adult-suitable”
- Shift in brand perception from “child-related” to “summery,” “tasty,” and “refreshing”
Festis <3 Hänt.se is a glowing example of what happens when format, platform, and product all speak the same language. It’s branded entertainment with heart, humour, and high impact—and a masterclass in rebranding through relevance.
