If you are a growing brand planning to run Instagram ads, you have probably faced this question already. “Should we hire a creative agency or an Instagram ad production company?”
At first glance, both sound similar. Both promise creativity. Both show impressive portfolios. Both talk about brand stories and audience engagement. And both will happily take your brief and your budget.
But the difference between the two matters a lot, especially if your goal is performance-driven Instagram advertising.
Let us break it down in simple language, without fancy words and without putting anyone to sleep.
What Is a Creative Agency?
A creative agency is usually a big-picture partner. They focus on branding, campaigns, and overall communication.
Their work often includes:
- Brand strategy and positioning
- Campaign ideas across platforms
- Visual identity, like colours, fonts, and tone
- Long-term storytelling
In short, they think in terms of brands, not just ads.
This is great if you are launching a new brand, doing a large campaign, or rethinking your entire identity. Creative agencies are like architects. They design the blueprint before the building is built.
But when it comes to Instagram ads, this approach can sometimes become too broad.
What Is an Instagram Ad Production Company?
An Instagram ad production company is far more focused. Their entire job is to create content that works specifically as ads on Instagram.
They think in terms of:
- Reels, Stories, and Feed ads
- Hook in the first 3 seconds
- Vertical video formats
- Platform behaviour and scrolling habits
- Content that looks native, not like an ad
They are not trying to win awards. They are trying to win attention.
If a creative agency is an architect, an Instagram ad production company is a builder who knows exactly how Instagram works today.
Check Out
Boss Wallah Studios empowers entrepreneurs and brands to produce high-quality content with ease
The Core Difference: Thinking vs Doing
(Source – Freepik)
Here is the simplest way to understand it.
Creative agencies are idea-first.
Instagram ad production companies are execution-first.
A creative agency might give you one brilliant idea that looks stunning but takes weeks to approve, shoot, and finalise.
An Instagram ad production company will give you multiple ad variations, shot quickly, edited for speed, and ready to test.
On Instagram, speed matters more than perfection.
Why Growing Brands Struggle With Creative Agencies
Growing brands usually face three challenges:
- Limited budgets
- Need for quick results
- Constant testing and learning
Creative agencies often work on longer timelines and larger retainers. That makes sense for their model, but it can feel heavy for a brand that needs to move fast.
You may end up with:
- One expensive video instead of ten testable ads
- Beautiful visuals that do not convert
- Long discussions about concepts when the market has already moved on
Instagram does not reward overthinking. It rewards relevance.
ALSO READ | Behind the Scroll: How an Instagram Ad Production Company Builds Creatives for Reels, Stories and Feed Ads
Why Instagram Ad Production Companies Fit Growth Better
Instagram ad production companies are built for performance marketing.
They understand things like:
- Why raw-looking videos often outperform polished ones
- Why founders talking on camera convert better than actors
- Why UGC style content works even for premium brands
- Why ads need refreshing every few weeks
They design content assuming it will be skipped, scrolled, or ignored. That mindset makes their work sharper.
Instead of asking “Is this creative enough?”, they ask “Will this stop the scroll?”.
Cost, Volume, and Flexibility
(Source – Freepik)
Another big difference is how both operate.
Creative agencies usually focus on fewer, bigger assets.
Instagram ad production companies focus on volume and iteration.
For growing brands, this means:
- More creatives for the same budget
- Faster turnaround times
- Easier scaling when ads start working
- Less emotional attachment to one idea
When performance drops, you do not panic. You simply test the next set of ads.
So What Should Growing Brands Choose?
If your goal is:
- Building a long-term brand narrative
- Launching a high-visibility campaign
- Repositioning your brand
A creative agency makes sense.
But if your goal is:
- Running Instagram ads that convert
- Scaling leads or sales
- Testing multiple messages quickly
- Creating platform native content
An Instagram ad production company is the smarter choice. For most growing brands, Instagram ads are not about making a statement. They are about making money.
ALSO READ | What Most Brands Get Wrong About Social Media Marketing: It’s Not Posting, It’s Production
The Smart Approach Many Brands Take
Interestingly, many successful brands use both, but at different stages.
They work with a creative agency for brand direction and big ideas.
And they work with an Instagram ad production company for day-to-day ad content.
This way, branding stays consistent, and performance stays strong.
Check Out
BossWallah enables you to create, optimise, and grow social media video channels effortlessly from scratch
Final Thoughts
Instagram is not a billboard. It is a fast-moving feed where attention is rented for seconds.
Growing brands do not need louder ideas. They need better execution.
If your brand is serious about scaling through Instagram ads, working with an Instagram ad production company is not a compromise. It is a strategic decision.
And when your ads start blending into the feed instead of screaming at it, you will know you chose right.
