Corporate Video vs. Promotional Video — Do You Know the Difference?

DP (acting as a camera operator) during "Run-and-Gun" corporate campaign for a client BETBY. Filming of ambassador and best chess player on the world, Magnus Carlsen in Valletta during NEXT summit igaming 2025. A fast-paced, mobile style filming, that emphasizes quick setups, flexibility, and minimal equipment and crew to capture authentic, real-time footage in dynamic environments where opportunities for retakes are limited, sometimes to only one take. BTS: Ivana Cattafi / IC Studio)

When businesses think about creating video, the terms corporate video and promotional video often get used interchangeably. While they share similarities, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference will help you choose the right format for your goals.

What Is a Corporate Video?

A corporate video is designed for business communication. It’s less about selling directly and more about informing, engaging, or educating.

👉 Examples of corporate videos:

• Company overview/brand story

• Training and onboarding content

• Internal communication videos

• Investor presentations

• CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) features

💡 Purpose: Build trust, share knowledge, and strengthen your brand identity.

What Is a Promotional Video?

A promotional video is focused on marketing and sales. It’s shorter, more attention-grabbing, and designed to persuade viewers to take action.

👉 Examples of promotional videos:

• Product launch ads

• Social media campaigns

• Event promos

• Limited-time offers

• Customer testimonial clips

💡 Purpose: Drive awareness, leads, and conversions.

When to Invest in Corporate Video

You should consider video production if you are:

• Launching a new product or service

• Entering a new market

• Hosting a major event

• Seeking investment or partnerships

• Onboarding new employees at scale

  
  

Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect	Corporate Video	Promotional Video
Goal	Educate, inform, build trust	Persuade, sell, create urgency
Audience	Employees, partners, investors, stakeholders	Customers, prospects, wider public
Tone	Professional, detailed, long-term value	Energetic, concise, action-driven
Length	2–10 minutes (sometimes longer)	15–90 seconds (short and sharp)

When Should You Use Each?

• Corporate video → when you want to strengthen credibility, train teams, or communicate internally.

• Promotional video → when you’re launching, marketing, or selling directly.

Many companies benefit from having both in their video library — one builds the foundation, the other drives immediate results.

Key Takeaway

Think of corporate video as your brand’s voice and promotional video as your megaphone. Both are essential — the difference lies in when and how you use them.