Presenters vs Actors: Which Do You Need for Your Campaign

When you plan a live event, video shoot or brand campaign, one of the first decisions you’ll make is who should front it. Do you hire a presenter or an actor? Both are skilled professionals but they bring different strengths. Knowing which one you need can save time, money and effort — and make your campaign land the way you want it to.

What a Presenter Does

A presenter’s job is to communicate clearly and confidently. They guide an audience through information and make it feel natural. You’ll often see presenters hosting events, leading product demos, or speaking on camera for corporate and brand videos.

They don’t play a character. Instead, they represent your brand in a way that feels approachable and genuine. A good professional presenter builds trust and connection quickly.

Where presenters work best

Live events and conferences

Product launches and exhibitions

Brand films or explainer videos

Online content where tone and clarity matter

Presenters are used to working with unpredictable situations. They think on their feet and keep things flowing even when timings or scripts change. If you need someone to talk to a crowd or camera and get a message across, a presenter is the right fit.

What an Actor Brings

Actors are storytellers. They take a script and turn it into something believable. Where a presenter informs, an actor performs. They bring emotion, humour and realism to a message, helping the audience connect with a story rather than a set of facts.

Actors are ideal when your campaign needs to show a situation rather than explain one. They’re trained to work with direction, repeat takes and create consistent performances.

Where Professional actors work best

TV commercials and online ads

Branded short films or social content

PR stunts or live activations that use characters

Training and internal videos with realistic scenarios

If your campaign needs to make people feel something, an actor is usually the stronger choice. They give a brand message more depth and help audiences see themselves in the story.

How to Choose Between Them

Think about the goal of your campaign before you cast. If the focus is on information, instruction or connection, go with a presenter. If it’s about emotion or storytelling, choose an actor.

For example:

A new product launch at an exhibition needs someone who can talk to visitors and explain features clearly — a presenter.

A short social video that tells a story about a customer experience needs believable reactions and emotion — an actor.

Sometimes a campaign needs both. A presenter might open a live event, and actors could perform short scenes during it. This mix works well for experiential marketing where you want the energy of live hosting but also moments that feel scripted and creative.

Why the Right Choice Matters

People remember faces and voices. Choosing the right professional affects how your brand is perceived. A confident presenter can make a complex topic feel simple. A talented actor can make a scripted scene feel completely natural.

Getting this right saves production time and keeps your campaign consistent. It also makes a big difference to audience engagement. When viewers believe the person in front of them, they’re more likely to listen, interact and remember what they’ve seen.

Tips for Casting the Right Talent

1. Be clear on your message

Decide what the main takeaway should be. Is it to inform, entertain or inspire? This helps define whether you need a presenter or an actor.

2. Match the tone to your brand

Think about how you want to sound. Friendly and conversational suits presenters. Emotional or story-led work suits actors.

3. Consider your setting

A busy exhibition hall needs someone comfortable with noise and people. A film set needs someone who can repeat the same performance over several takes. Choose talent who fits the environment.

4. Write a proper brief

Give detail on what you expect, audience type, key messages, style and timing. Professionals work best when they know what success looks like.

5. Value experience

Experienced presenters and actors bring more than performance. They bring reliability. They’re used to working with clients, crews and live audiences, and they know how to stay calm when things don’t go exactly to plan.

When You Might Need Both

Many campaigns now combine live performance with filmed content. A presenter might host an event while actors appear in supporting roles or short films shown on screens. PR stunts often use actors in character to surprise the public, while a presenter keeps everything organised and on message.

Blending both roles creates variety. It also helps audiences connect emotionally while keeping the campaign structure professional and clear.

The Bottom Line

Actors and presenters share some similarities, but their skills serve different goals. Presenters connect with people in the moment. Actors bring a story to life.

If your campaign depends on clear communication and approachability, choose a presenter. If it relies on emotion or narrative, choose an actor. And if you want both structure and storytelling, a mix of the two often works best.

 

At We’ve Got Talent, we specialise in supplying professional presenters, actors and extras for events, campaigns and PR stunts across the UK. We take time to understand what each project needs and match it with the right talent. Whether it’s a live activation, a broadcast project or a short social film, we help brands create performances that connect with people.