FINTECH CASE STUDY
Canada Drives Successful Advertising
Successful social media campaigns driven by strategic motion graphics.
+24%
Conversions
Top Advertisers 2018
Summary
Company: Canada Drives
Industry: Automotive, Fintech, Lead Generation
Business Model: Online auto-finance platform (D2C)
Timeframe: 2015 – 2020
Role: Graphic Designer, Motion Designer, UX-Oriented Marketing Designer
Team: Worked closely with marketing managers, social media teams, and leadership
Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator
Background
This case study reflects my role in elevating the brand’s digital presence through data-driven ad design and motion graphics. Working closely with marketing teams, I focused on improving clarity, trust, and conversion across social campaigns. The goal was to create digital experiences that aligned with the company’s mission of making car ownership easier, faster, and more accessible for Canadians.
Canada Drives is a Vancouver-based automotive and fintech company that reshaped how Canadians access car financing. Known for its fully online process, it allows people to check their credit options, get pre-approved for auto loans, or sell their vehicles without visiting a dealership. By simplifying a traditionally stressful experience, the platform became one of the country’s leading digital car-finance services.
Problem
Canada Drives needed to reduce the cost of leads and clicks from social media and Google Ads. The existing campaigns were becoming too expensive, so the challenge was to design ads that performed better while keeping costs down.
Solution:
I approached the challenge through constant experimentation and collaboration. I designed and tested multiple ad concepts, using performance data and feedback from the social media team to guide every decision. When a design performed well, it was adapted and rolled out across all platforms including Google Ads, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.
Best Performing Ad:
This simple motion animation generated strong results on Facebook:
• +38 percent increase in thumb stop rate
• +24 percent increase in conversion rates
• 6.2 second average watch time
• 41 percent higher recall compared to static ads
Performance was driven by a disrupted layout using circular text, a bounding motion effect that guided attention, and delivering all key information in under seven seconds. Metrics shown are simulated and illustrative.
TV Commercials
Two 30 second television ad versions for TSN were produced around 2016 for Canada Drives and aired nationwide across Canada. Developed in collaboration with the art director and a film production company, I handled motion graphics, broadcast technical preparation, and editing of the original footage, ensuring both spots met TSN standards. The campaign increased inbound calls and sales, with its strongest impact in brand awareness, measured through higher branded search, direct traffic, and caller recall of the TV ad.
3D Animation
I introduced 3D animation as a way to reach customers with a more modern and distinctive visual style. Because 3D is harder for competitors to replicate, I regularly proposed campaigns that used this approach. This project was produced using Maya, After Effects, and Adobe Premiere.
2D Animation
Depending on the project, I conceptualized and produced motion graphic videos using vector illustrations. These animations followed brand guidelines while maintaining clear, smooth motion. This project was used on social media in October 2017.
YouTube Animations
YouTube pre-roll animations were part of our daily workflow at Canada Drives. This specific project required 3D animation and advanced knowledge of Adobe After Effects. I led the motion graphics, video editing, and sound editing. The project was produced in September 2017.
Animation for Web
I had the opportunity to work for Canada Drives, a company that helps thousands of Canadians purchase vehicles by offering auto finance options for people with good, bad, or no credit. Canada Drives uses an online application supported by various visual assets and animations. My role was to design, prepare, and animate many components of the website while considering loading speed, performance, and functionality. The mock-up below is from the 2019 version of the app.
Animation for Web
I had the opportunity to work for Canada Drives, a company that helps thousands of Canadians purchase vehicles by offering auto finance options for people with good, bad, or no credit. Canada Drives uses an online application supported by various visual assets and animations. My role was to design, prepare, and animate many components of the website while considering loading speed, performance, and functionality. The mock-up below is from the 2019 version of the app.
Impact & Achievements
At Canada Drives, I was responsible for designing all promotional and marketing materials, including the monthly newsletters sent to subscribers. Below is one example of the many assets I created over five years. These materials played a key role in helping Canada Drives become one of the most successful advertisers in Canada 2018.
