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- 🧽 👀 This “No-Scrub” Mold Gel Quietly Racked Up $430K+ in Ad Spend
🧽 👀 This “No-Scrub” Mold Gel Quietly Racked Up $430K+ in Ad Spend
[3 Ad Thursday] Plus: sound-healing drums and full-body deodorant killer-ads 🔥
Welcome to, or welcome back to this week’s VidTao 3 Ad Thursday!
Each Thursday we’ll be diving into our VidTao YouTube ad library to uncover 3 high-performing YouTube ads driving results.
This week we’ve got three high-performing YouTube ads for you to check out & model, including:
🥁 Panda Drum - a Very Unique Product Ad ($380k+ AdSpend)...
🧴 Deodorant Ad by Mando (Over $176k in AdSpend)...
🧽 VexClean Mold Remover Gel Ad (Over $430k AdSpend)...
Ready to check the ads out?
~ update from our friends at Funnel of the Week ~
Air Fryers, ‘Dark Posting’ & Category Creation for
a $4B Market
Our friends at Funnel of the Week just released a new funnel breakdown…
…This time it’s a DTC beauty brand using dark posting + smart benefit repositioning to turn a decades-old niche product into a mainstream hit.
The product? Shampoo bars. The angle? No longer “eco-friendly” - now it’s hair transformation stories like:
“My hair grew 4 inches in 2 months”
“Finally found the solution for my thin, lifeless hair”
And the growth opportunity is huge:
US shampoo bar market: $4.13B, growing 7.7% annually
Only 35% of consumers know this category exists
Only 8% have tried solid shampoo bars
Inside this breakdown, you’ll see:
✓ All “dark post” influencer accounts running now - and how they target different demos
✓ Creative strategy that shifts from eco benefits to personal transformation
✓ The awareness stage moves that take someone from “never heard of it” to “ordering today”
✓ How this exact framework has created billion-dollar markets before (electric toothbrushes, plant-based meat, and more)
Let's dive right in and take a closer look at this week's YouTube ad standouts and discover what makes them so successful.
🥁 Panda Drum - a Very Unique Product Ad ($380k+ AdSpend)
Our first ad pick for this week’s selection is this relaxing Pandra Drum ad we found inside VidTao, check it out:
💰 This ad's estimated total ad spend is over $380K!
These are some of the elements this ad combines:
🌊 Sensory Pattern Interrupt
The ad opens with a single word: “LISTEN…”
No narration, no voiceover - just water sounds and the resonant tone of the drum.
It’s a full sensory interruption in a feed full of fast-talking, high-contrast ads.
The simplicity and sound instantly pull attention without effort.
🕊️ Emotion-First Storytelling
Rather than telling the viewer the drum is relaxing, the ad makes them feel relaxed.
Every frame slows the viewer’s heartbeat - it’s experiential marketing done right.
The viewer doesn’t need persuasion; they’re already immersed in calm.
🎥 Cinematic Craftsmanship
Natural elements (water, light, wood) showcase artistry and handmade quality.
Close-up shots of the instrument build perceived value - it looks premium.
This visual storytelling reinforces the product’s credibility and price point without needing testimonials or science talk.
🔊 Proof Through Experience
No bold claims - just proof in motion.
You see how it’s played, hear how it sounds, and feel what it represents.
That real-time demonstration replaces any need for social proof or authority figures.
👨👩👧 Inclusive Simplicity
Text overlays like “Easy to play for people of all ages” expand the audience.
It removes friction - no musical skill required - just instant access to peace.
The simplicity mirrors the calm product promise.
💸 Offer Stack & Value Anchor
The final frames shift gently from emotional to transactional:
“$100 OFF · Free Delivery · Free Accessories Included.”
These bonuses add a concrete layer of value while maintaining tone consistency - calm, confident, not salesy.
🧘♀️ Minimalist CTA & Brand Reinforcement
“Order yours at pandadrum.com.”
No shouting. No fake urgency. Just serenity extended through every frame.
The CTA fits the vibe - understated but persuasive - proving that calm sells too.
Finally, here’s what this advertiser’s landing page looks like:

See unique landing pages URLs using VidTao ad intelligence software
🕵️ Want to “Spy” on over 23 million YouTube ads (and landing pages)?
Go here to claim your free trial of the VidTao Premium YouTube Ad Library👇
🧴Deodorant Ad by Mando (Over $176k in AdSpend)
Next up - this Mando deodorant ad we found inside VidTao!
This ad's estimated total ad spend is over $176k!
Check it out:
Here are some of the elements this ad combines:
💥 Attention-Grabbing Hook
The ad opens with “You have B.O.” - a direct, taboo-breaking statement that instantly commands attention.
By normalizing it with “let’s face it, we all do,” the ad turns confrontation into relatability.
This is classic pattern-interrupt humor - shocking enough to stop scrolling, but safe through self-awareness.
🧠 Expert Credibility Anchor
Introducing Dr. Shannon Klingman gives the brand immediate authority.
Her white coat, confident tone, and claim as the “inventor of whole body deodorant” turn what could be a novelty product into a science-backed innovation.
It bridges the gap between clinical trust and commercial freshness.
🚿 Category Disruption Through Contrast
The ad reframes a familiar habit (“we apply deodorant only to our pits”) as illogical.
That single insight - “why just one area?” - reframes the entire deodorant category and makes Mando necessary, not optional.
It’s a clean “problem → logic gap → solution” structure that sparks instant re-evaluation.
🙋♂️ Relatable Testimonial Layer
Enter Johnny: a real Mando user, real story, real moment of embarrassment (“What’s that smell? Oh my god, that’s me.”).
The storytelling feels authentic, not scripted, turning potential shame into humor and empathy.
His transition - from problem (odor) → discovery (Mando) → transformation (confidence) - humanizes the science from earlier.
🧴 Memorable Benefit Positioning
“Whole body deodorant - for pits, packages, and feet.”
The repetition of body zones creates rhythmic recall. It’s borderline funny, but sticky enough to drive brand awareness.
It’s a great example of benefit phrasing that doubles as copywriting hook.
📈 Brand Legitimacy via Distribution Proof
Ending with logos of Walmart, Target, and Amazon visually signals scale and safety.
For a new DTC viewer, this acts as subconscious social proof: if it’s sold there, it must work.
🧡 Tone Consistency & Structure
From opening line to closing CTA, every beat blends humor, authority, and authenticity - three pillars of direct-response trust.
It’s confident but not clinical, personal but not overly emotional - the sweet spot for CPG health-meets-lifestyle brands.
This advertiser has many other cool ads to take inspo from as well, don’t miss out:
🧽 VexClean No-Scrub Mold Remover Gel Ad (Over $430k AdSpend)
Last but definitely not least - we chose this mold remover gel ad to take a closer look at as well, with the ad spend of over $430K!
Check it out here:
These are some of the elements this ad combines:
🧼 Instant Visual Payoff Hook
The ad opens with a visual-driven claim: “Restore your bathroom and tiles to their original shine in just 15 minutes.”
Within seconds, viewers see mold disappear in real time. This immediate cause-and-effect demonstration hooks both cleaning enthusiasts and skeptics. It’s not a claim - it’s proof on screen.
🔬 Credibility via “Science-Talk” Framing
Mentions of “patented nanotech” and “developed by a chemist” give the ad pseudo-scientific depth.
Even though viewers don’t fully understand the tech, the phrasing builds trust and authority. It’s the same psychological trick used in skincare or supplement ads - smart-sounding innovation signals quality.
👨🔬 Inventor Origin Story
The “frustrated chemist” backstory adds human relatability and credibility.
He wasn’t chasing profit - he was solving his own pain point.
That single positioning shift (“real person > brand”) makes the product feel genuine and grassroots, while still reinforcing expertise.
🦠 Problem-Solution Framing
The ad defines an emotional villain: endless scrubbing and harmful chemicals.
By showing visible grime dissolving without effort, it dramatizes the “work smarter, not harder” message that resonates universally - especially with household decision-makers.
🌿 Safety + Family Appeal
The narration carefully reassures: “All-natural, non-toxic, safe for your family.”
This doubles the target audience - appealing not just to those who want clean, but also to those who want safe.
It repositions the product as a lifestyle upgrade, not just a cleaning tool.
📱 Social Proof Through Virality
Pivots from personal invention → viral sensation:
“Over 1 million units sold worldwide… thousands sharing jaw-dropping before-and-afters.”
This creates FOMO, reinforces legitimacy, and taps into herd behavior - if others are buying, it must work.
⏳ Scarcity + Exclusivity Layer
“Not sold on Amazon or major retailers.”
This line instantly makes the offer feel rare, special, and more trustworthy - you’re buying direct from the source, not a knock-off.
Stacked with “limited-time offer” and “up to 70% off,” it’s classic urgency-driven copy that turns attention into conversions.
💰 Risk Reversal for Trust
The 30-day money-back guarantee neutralizes objections.
Combined with strong visual proof, it shifts the viewer from “will this work?” to “why not try?”
Inside VidTao, you are able to see not only thousands of different ads by numerous advertisers, but also many unique landing page URLs.. don’t miss out!
Want to brainstorm with us on new ways to scale your business with
YouTube Ads (and other performance video platforms)?
Join us for a free YouTube ad brainstorming session here:
With that, we’re all done for this week! 🚀
We hope this week’s selection of high-performing ads has sparked new ideas to test yourself!
Want more insights like these?
Stay tuned for next week’s VidTao 3 Ad Thursday, where we’ll continue breaking down winning strategies from the best YouTube ads in the game!
And btw… If you have questions about YouTube ads?
Go here to schedule a free chat with our friends at Inceptly. Inceptly is a top Direct Response video ad agency, specializing in high-performing YouTube ad creatives & media buying.
Have a great week!
PS - Go here to Claim Your Free Trial of VidTao Premium: Access 23 Million YouTube Ads & Their Landing Pages!
PPS - Are you spending $1k/day+ on Paid Ads? 👉 Go here to set up a free YouTube Ad brainstorm chat.