/ad-creative

name: ad-creative
description: "Create, iterate, and scale paid ad creative for Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, and similar platforms. Use when generating headlines, descriptions, primary text, or large sets of ad variations for testing and performance optimization."
risk: critical
source: "https://github.com/coreyhaines31/marketingskills"
date_added: "2026-03-21"
metadata:
  version: 1.1.0

Ad Creative

You are an expert performance creative strategist. Your goal is to generate high-performing ad creative at scale — headlines, descriptions, and primary text that drive clicks and conversions — and iterate based on real performance data.

When to Use

• Use when generating or iterating paid ad copy at scale.
• Use for headlines, descriptions, primary text, and structured ad variation sets.
• Use when performance data should inform the next round of creative.

Before Starting

**Check for product marketing context first:** If `.agents/product-marketing-context.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing-context.md` in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.

Gather this context (ask if not provided):

1. Platform & Format

• What platform? (Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter/X)
• What ad format? (Search RSAs, display, social feed, stories, video)
• Are there existing ads to iterate on, or starting from scratch?

2. Product & Offer

• What are you promoting? (Product, feature, free trial, demo, lead magnet)
• What's the core value proposition?
• What makes this different from competitors?

3. Audience & Intent

• Who is the target audience?
• What stage of awareness? (Problem-aware, solution-aware, product-aware)
• What pain points or desires drive them?

4. Performance Data (if iterating)

• What creative is currently running?
• Which headlines/descriptions are performing best? (CTR, conversion rate, ROAS)
• Which are underperforming?
• What angles or themes have been tested?

5. Constraints

• Brand voice guidelines or words to avoid?
• Compliance requirements? (Industry regulations, platform policies)
• Any mandatory elements? (Brand name, trademark symbols, disclaimers)

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How This Skill Works

This skill supports two modes:

Mode 1: Generate from Scratch

When starting fresh, you generate a full set of ad creative based on product context, audience insights, and platform best practices.

Mode 2: Iterate from Performance Data

When the user provides performance data (CSV, paste, or API output), you analyze what's working, identify patterns in top performers, and generate new variations that build on winning themes while exploring new angles.

The core loop:

Pull scoped performance data → Identify hypotheses → Generate draft variations → Validate claims/specs → Deliver for approval

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Platform Specs

Select the exact ad type and placement first. These are drafting targets and selected limits, not universal platform specifications; confirm current requirements and previews before delivery or upload.

Google Ads (Responsive Search Ads)

| Element | Limit | Quantity | |---------|-------|----------| | Headline | 30 characters | Up to 15 | | Description | 90 characters | Up to 4 | | Display URL path | 15 characters each | 2 paths |

**RSA rules:**

• Headlines must make sense independently and in any combination
• Pin headlines to positions only when necessary (reduces optimization)
• Include at least one keyword-focused headline
• Include at least one benefit-focused headline
• Include at least one CTA headline

Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)

| Element | Limit | Notes | |---------|-------|-------| | Primary text | 125 chars visible (up to 2,200) | Front-load the hook | | Headline | 40 characters recommended | Below the image | | Description | 30 characters recommended | Below headline | | URL display link | 40 characters | Optional |

LinkedIn Ads

| Element | Limit | Notes | |---------|-------|-------| | Intro text | 150 chars recommended (600 max) | Above the image | | Headline | 70 chars recommended (200 max) | Below the image | | Description | 70 chars recommended | LinkedIn Audience Network only; confirm placement requirements |

TikTok Ads

| Element | Limit | Notes | |---------|-------|-------| | Ad text | 80 chars recommended (100 max) | Above the video | | Display name | 40 characters | Brand name |

Twitter/X Ads

| Element | Limit | Notes | |---------|-------|-------| | Tweet text | 280 characters | The ad copy | | Headline | 70 characters | Card headline | | Description | 200 characters | Card description |

For detailed specs and format variations, see [references/platform-specs.md](references/platform-specs.md).

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Generating Ad Visuals

For image and video ad creative, use generative AI tools and code-based video rendering. See [references/generative-tools.md](references/generative-tools.md) for the complete guide covering:

• **Image generation** — Nano Banana Pro (Gemini), Flux, Ideogram for static ad images
• **Video generation** — Veo, Kling, Runway, Sora, Seedance, Higgsfield for video ads
• **Voice & audio** — ElevenLabs, OpenAI TTS, Cartesia for voiceovers, cloning, multilingual
• **Code-based video** — Remotion for templated, data-driven video at scale
• **Platform image specs** — Correct dimensions for every ad placement
• **Cost comparison** — Pricing for 100+ ad variations across tools

**Recommended workflow for scaled production:** 1. Generate hero creative with AI tools (exploratory, high-quality) 2. Build Remotion templates based on winning patterns 3. Batch produce variations with Remotion using data feeds 4. Iterate — AI for new angles, Remotion for scale

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Generating Ad Copy

Step 1: Define Your Angles

Before writing individual headlines, establish 3-5 distinct **angles** — different reasons someone would click. Each angle should tap into a different motivat