Ad format
Make trolley remix video ads with Addy AI
Present two painful choices and position your product as the obvious escape hatch. Addy writes and renders these short-form ads in minutes.
70 credits per HD video ad on Addy.
What it is
The trolley remix format takes the classic ethical dilemma and applies it to everyday consumer frustrations. On screen, viewers see two undesirable outcomes, while the voiceover introduces your product as the smart third option that avoids both.
This format stops the scroll because viewers immediately recognize the setup and wait to see how you resolve the dilemma. It looks like a split-screen or text-heavy graphic with dynamic captions moving to the beat of the audio.
When to use it
Best for
- SaaS tools replacing legacy software
- Subscription boxes fighting subscription fatigue
- Alternative banking and fintech apps
- Productivity apps competing with complex systems
- Health snacks replacing junk food
Skip it if
- Your product is a pure luxury with no practical alternative
- You cannot clearly define what your two main competitors do poorly
- Your brand voice is strictly formal and corporate
A script you can copy
Hook
“Option A: Keep paying $200 a month for software that crashes. Option B: Excel spreadsheets until your eyes bleed.”
- Show text on screen representing the two bad choices side by side.
- Pause for one second to let the viewer feel the pain of both options.
- Introduce your product as the third option that takes zero effort.
Call to action
Click to try the third option free for 7 days.
- “Option one: burn cash on agencies. Option two: learn video editing yourself.”
- “Keep buying coffee every day or never leave your house again.”
- “Hire an assistant who quits in a month or do everything yourself.”
- “Endless meetings that could be emails or just pretending you didn't see the Slack.”
- “Pay cable prices for one show or cancel TV forever.”
Production tips
Keep choices relatable
Use two genuinely annoying scenarios your target customer deals with daily.
Fast text pacing
Flash the two options quickly on screen before introducing your product.
Clear third rail
Make sure your product is introduced as the immediate relief to the dilemma.
Keep it portrait
Shoot in 9:16 aspect ratio so the split screen fits naturally on Reels and TikTok.
Test multiple hooks
Use Addy to generate variations of the two bad choices to see which pain point hits hardest.
Questions
+What is a trolley remix ad format?
It is a short video format based on the trolley problem. You present two bad options to the viewer and position your product as the third, correct choice.
+How does Addy make these ads?
You paste your website URL, and Addy learns your brand, studies competitors, and writes the script. You swipe to approve the concept, and Addy renders the video in minutes.
+How much does it cost?
Starter plans begin at $19 per month for 2,000 credits, which comes out to roughly $0.68 per HD video ad. You can also start with a 7-day free trial that includes 150 credits and requires no credit card.
+Where can I post these videos?
Addy formats all videos in 9:16 portrait mode, making them ready to publish directly to Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.