9 Questions to Ask a Paid Ad Creative Agency Before You Hire

You've narrowed your paid ad creative shortlist down to two or three agencies, and every pitch deck says roughly the same thing: proven results, dedicated team, data led approach. The pitch tells you what they want you to hear. The right questions tell you how they actually work.

At Evolution Media, we run paid social, TikTok, Google and LinkedIn campaigns alongside video production for ecommerce and SME brands across Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol, Bath and the wider South West, so we've sat through this conversation from both sides of the table. Here are the questions worth asking before you sign anything.

Can you show me creative work across different industries and styles?

Ask to see a range, not a highlight reel of their best three ads.

• Look for variety in tone, format and platform, not one template reused for every client 

• Ask which pieces they're proudest of and why

• Check if the work looks distinct from brand to brand

Have you worked with brands in my sector, and does that create a conflict?

Ask directly whether they've worked with a direct competitor, and how they handle it. 

• Sector experience speeds up onboarding and creative relevance 

• A conflict isn't always a dealbreaker, but you need to know it exists 

• Ask what they'd do differently for your brand versus a past client in the same space 

What results have you delivered for similar sized clients? 

Ask for specific numbers tied to specific campaigns, not aggregated agency wide claims. 

• Request a breakdown by industry and campaign type 

• Ask about a campaign that underperformed and what they learned 

• Ask if you can speak to a current client as a reference 

How do you approach creative testing? 

Ask how many hook or concept variations they test before scaling a winner. 

• A structured process usually tests three to five hook variations per concept before committing budget 

• Ask how quickly they react to a creative that's fatiguing 

• Check whether testing is built into the retainer or billed as an extra 

How do you plan, execute and report on a campaign? 

Ask to see a real reporting example, not a template. 

• Clarify reporting frequency and who you'll speak to when something needs changing 

• Ask how they separate media spend from production and management fees 

• Check how quickly they adapt strategy when results shift 

What's the size and structure of the team on my account? 

Ask who specifically will work on your campaigns day to day. 

• Some agencies pitch with senior staff then hand execution to junior teams or contractors 

• Ask how many other accounts your account manager handles 

• Confirm who makes creative decisions and how fast 

How Evolution Media approaches questions to ask a paid ad creative agency 

We combine video production with Meta, TikTok, Google and LinkedIn paid media under one team, so the people producing your ad creative are the same people reading the performance data and deciding what to test next. For ecommerce and SME brands across the South West, that usually means faster iteration and fewer handoffs between a production company and a media buyer who've never spoken to each other. Book a discovery call or drop us a line at llew@evosales.co.uk / +44 139 232 1292. 

FAQs 

How many questions should I ask a paid ad agency before hiring? 

There's no fixed number, but covering portfolio, sector experience, results, testing process, reporting and team structure gives you a rounded picture without turning the pitch into an interrogation. 

What's a red flag when interviewing a creative agency? 

Vague answers about past results, reluctance to share a client reference, or a portfolio where every ad looks the same regardless of client are all signs worth probing further. 

Should a paid ad agency test multiple creative variations before scaling? 

Yes. Agencies that consistently hit strong click-through rates typically test several hook or concept variations for each campaign before committing significant budget to one version. 

How often should a paid ad agency report on performance? 

Weekly or fortnightly reporting is standard for active campaigns, with a monthly summary covering strategy and results against goals. Ask what's included before comparing quotes. 

Do I need a separate video agency and paid media agency? 

Not necessarily. Combining both under one team can reduce delays between producing creative and testing it, though it's worth checking the agency is genuinely strong at both rather than treating one as an afterthought. 

What should I ask about who works on my account? 

Ask specifically who will produce the creative and manage the media buying day to day, and how many other clients that person is responsible for.