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# How to steal ad ideas like an artist
- URL: https://www.unbore.com/how-to-steal-ad-ideas-like-an-artist/
- Published: 2026-02-25T20:37:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-01T15:34:23.000Z
- Description: 3 rules for stealing ads while staying original and ethical.
- Author: Shlomo Genchin
- Tags: Brainstorming

Every new idea is just a mix of old ideas.

Here are my three rules for “stealing” ads ethically:

## Rule #1: Never steal from your neighbor

Instead of copying my competitors, I draw inspiration from other industries.  
For example, if I need a B2B idea, I’ll try to find it in a B2C ad library, like [Lurzer’s Archive](https://preview.convertkit-mail2.com/click/dpheh0hzhm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubHVlcnplcnNhcmNoaXZlLmNvbS8=?ref=unbore.com).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/1772379259936-image-15.jpg)

Well, Dovetail’s version is a bit too close.But it’s a nice ad nonetheless.

## Rule #2: Limit yourself to 30 minutes

Ad inspiration quickly turns into procrastination.

So I browse ads for half an hour, then get to work.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/1772379260428-image-16.jpg)

Source: Me

## Rule #3: Steal one element, not the whole piece

My client, AppsFlyer, wanted to target large companies that have outgrown their current tools.

So, while looking for inspiration, I found these two ads:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/1772379260970-image-17.jpg)

The fishbowl simply caught my eye.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/1772379261325-image-18.jpg)

And the big man in the small box reminded me of AppsFlyer’s target audience: enterprise teams locked into software built for startups.

Next, I googled “big fish in a small tank” and found this:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/1772379261812-image-19.jpg)

And here’s the final ad:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/1772379262326-image-20-742x1024.jpg)

MMP = Mobile Measurement Partner.AppsFlyer’s audience knows.