When to Choose a Hero Spot: The Flagship Video for Beverage Brands

What Is a Hero Spot?

A hero spot is your flagship video—the single piece that best represents your product, brand, or campaign. It's the content that lives on your homepage, anchors your launch campaign, and gets shared in investor decks.

Think of it as your product's introduction to the world, done at the highest level of craft and intention.

When You Need a Hero Spot

Product Launch

You're bringing a new SKU to market. The hero spot announces it to the world—showing what it is, why it matters, and why people should care.

This is the content your audience sees first. It sets the tone for everything else.

Brand Refresh

Your existing content is outdated or no longer represents who you are. A new hero spot establishes your evolved brand—new look, new feel, new story.

Major Campaign

You're running a significant marketing push (seasonal, partnership, cause-related). The hero spot anchors the campaign with a flagship piece that all other content references.

Investor/Retail Pitch

You need premium content for investor presentations or retail buyer meetings. A hero spot demonstrates brand quality and market potential in a format that commands attention.

Website Centerpiece

Your homepage deserves better than a slideshow. A hero spot creates immediate impact and keeps visitors engaged longer than static content.

What a Hero Spot Includes

The Primary Piece

• Length: 30-60 seconds (sometimes up to 90s for brand stories)
• Production value: Highest level—premium lighting, liquid capture, potentially talent
• Storytelling: Complete narrative arc, not just product shots
• Sound design: Original music or premium licensed track, professional audio mix

The Cutdowns

Every hero spot should be cut into:

• 15-second version for skippable YouTube pre-roll and long-form social
• 6-second bumper for non-skippable YouTube and Stories
• Platform-optimized formats (9:16, 1:1, 16:9)

These cutdowns carry the same polish as the hero, just shorter.

Hero Spot vs. Ad Creative

| Aspect | Hero Spot | Ad Creative | |--------|-----------|-------------| | Purpose | Flagship representation | Performance testing | | Quantity | 1 primary + cutdowns | Multiple variants | | Production level | Maximum | Efficient but quality | | Timeline | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | | Cost | $15,000+ | $700-$1,200/piece |

You need both—but at different times:

• Hero spot when launching or refreshing
• Ad creative for ongoing performance marketing

Production Process

Pre-Production (1-2 weeks)

Hero spots require more pre-production than standard content:

• Creative brief defining story, tone, and key messages
• Script or storyboard mapping the visual narrative
• Shot list detailing every setup and capture
• Location/studio scouting for the right environment
• Styling and props for premium product presentation

Production (1 day)

A hero spot typically requires one dedicated shoot day focused entirely on this piece. Unlike a content day (which captures 5-8 deliverables), a hero spot day prioritizes craft over volume.

Post-Production (1-2 weeks)

Extended post-production for:

• Premium color grading establishing the visual signature
• Sound design and original music licensing
• Motion graphics if applicable
• Multiple revision rounds to perfect the final piece
• Export suite with all formats and lengths

What It Costs

Hero Spot — $15,000+

Includes:

• Full pre-production (creative brief, shot list, styling)
• One dedicated production day
• Premium post-production
• Primary hero (30-60s)
• Cutdowns (15s, 6s)
• All platform formats

What Drives Cost Higher

• Location shoots vs. studio (permits, travel, logistics)
• Talent (actors, models, spokespeople)
• Complex liquid effects (high-speed, multiple product units)
• Original music composition vs. licensed tracks

Examples of Hero Spot Use Cases

Energy Drink Launch

A 45-second spot introducing a new flavor. Dynamic product shots, lifestyle context, and clear benefit messaging. Cut into 15s and 6s for pre-roll ads.

Functional Beverage Brand Story

A 60-second piece exploring the founder story and brand mission. Used on homepage, investor deck, and as anchoring content for a PR push.

RTD Cocktail Campaign

A 30-second hero for a summer campaign. Premium liquid capture, aspirational lifestyle setting. Cut into multiple formats for Meta, TikTok, and YouTube.

Do You Need a Hero Spot?

Yes, if:

• You're launching a new product
• Your current flagship content is more than 2 years old
• You need investor/retail-ready video
• Your homepage lacks compelling video

No, if:

• You need volume for ad testing (get ad creative instead)
• You're pre-launch with no clear product-market fit
• Budget is under $12,000 (consider The First Drop or Campaign package instead)

Not Ready for a Hero Spot?

If you're not at the launch or brand refresh stage, start with The First Drop—our $3,500 starter project. You'll get 2-3 videos of quality content without the hero spot price tag.

When you're ready to go bigger, we can produce your hero spot.

Learn about The First Drop →