Why Video Marketing Strategy Still Matters in the AI Age: Lessons from Episode 9 of The VBG Brief

Todd Valentine
Jul 4
2 min read

Published: July 4, 2025

Al of VBG Creative setting up the video marketing strategy — Setting up the camera before a shoot.

In Episode 9 of The VBG Brief, Todd Valentine, Al Gregoire, and Wels Blanchard dive deep into the continued power of video storytelling—especially in an age dominated by AI-generated content.

Whether you're a small business, nonprofit, or startup, this conversation unpacks why high-quality video production isn't just important—it’s essential.

In Episode 9 of The VBG Brief, Todd, Wels, and Al break down why video is still the most powerful tool in marketing, especially in the AI era.

The Power of Video Marketing Strategy in 2025

If you’re wondering whether video still moves the needle in a world full of automated content, the answer is a hard yes.

Here’s why:

95% of marketers say video marketing is an essential part of their strategy. (Sprout Social)
84% of viewers say they were convinced to buy a product after watching a brand’s video. (Outbrain)
Short-form videos (under 2 minutes) deliver the highest ROI for 21% of marketers. (Sprout Social)
Short-form video is projected to make up 90% of internet traffic by 2025. (Vidico)

Behind the Scenes: Summit at Sawyer and The Encouraging Place

The VBG team shared insights from two powerful video projects:

1. Summit at Sawyer Documentary

A story-driven video project capturing a 154-unit affordable housing development in Southeast Raleigh. The goal? Inspire replication in other communities by showing what’s possible through partnership and vision. The VBG team is currently in post-production, crafting a 30+ minute film designed to spark action and investment.

2. The Encouraging Place Annual Fundraising Campaign

Last year’s campaign raised over $50,000 through a documentary-style video series that brought emotion, context, and community voice to life. By pairing compelling interviews with intentional B-roll and color grading, the VBG team helped turn storytelling into real revenue. That project alone influenced over 50% of the organization's annual fundraising efforts.

What Makes Great Video Work?

According to our in-house video strategist Al Gregoire, powerful video content follows three key principles:

Define the Goal – Know what you want the viewer to do after watching.
Understand the Audience – Gen Z doesn’t respond to the same edit styles as Baby Boomers.
Tell a Cohesive Story – The video should evoke emotion, not just show facts.

Common Video Mistakes Businesses Still Make

Even with all the data and tools available, many businesses still get video wrong:

Using editing styles that don’t match their brand
Prioritizing aesthetics over clarity and messaging
Neglecting emotional storytelling in favor of trend-chasing

Final Thoughts

If you’re not leveraging video in your business strategy, you’re falling behind. AI can help with quantity, but it can’t replace human emotion, story structure, and brand alignment.

As Todd puts it:

“Know your ICP like you know your finances. Then create video content that speaks to their interests.”

Whether you're trying to increase donations, drive engagement, or build brand authority—video storytelling is still the most powerful tool in the marketing toolkit.