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Turn Old Footage Into New Ads That Print đź’¸
Copy these winning ad templates
Archit Batlaw
November 12, 2025
Hey there!
Welcome back to Art of Ads, where you learn what works from the front lines of performance marketing.
I want to talk about the single biggest missed opportunity in content creation: the massive, untapped goldmine of existing B-roll footage. đź’°
In a world where everyone is talking about diversity, diversity, diversity, it’s natural to focus on new content. And it’s needed! but it shouldn't mean constantly starting from scratch. Your existing library is a treasure trove. I promise you, new, high-performing ads are waiting to be cut from the footage you've already paid for.
Ready to boost your ROI? Here’s how to find your next winning ad in the footage you already have
✍🏽 Ads that don’t mention the brand name
Traditional UGC often relies on “A-roll” - someone speaking directly to camera about why they love a product. “I’m obsessed with XYZ”.
But this format’s oversaturated. It feels staged (because it is).
What’s working right now is UGC built from B-roll.
Think of short clips of someone trying on a bodysuit, adjusting fabric, or reacting naturally, with a static caption pointing out the benefit or outcome.
It looks like something a real TikTok creator would stitch together in CapCut. Not something an ad team made.
Creators don’t use endcards, logos, even brand names… so why should you?
✍🏽 Emotional B-Roll Ads
Here’s another winning ad we made with just b-roll, this time for Ruff Greens, a pet supplement brand.
Instead of voiceovers or polished A-roll, we built a spot entirely from B-roll.
The story wasn’t about the product. It was about the dog.
We showed how a dog feels eating kibble, then how it lights up when Ruff Greens is added. There’s no brand name mentioned until the very end, just a logo.
*cue emotional music*
Ads that tugs at heartstrings can travel further, last longer, and stick harder than one that just lists features.
How many ads have you made that make people cry?
The internet is a vast place and it’s not all UGC creators talking to the camera. B-roll driven ads feels organic, story-driven, and credible.
It keeps people watching, feels native, and unlocks placements like Instagram Reels where audiences are primed for discovery.
When you make your next brief, ask:
Have I used all the footage we have? Or am I biased towards only using new content?
Chances are, the raw material for your next top performer is sitting on a hard drive right now.
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Archit
PS. If you're spending $100k+ monthly on paid social and want help with creative or paid media optimization, I would love to chat and see if we’re a good fit.
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