Case Study
How Sticky Tooling Helped Adverge Revolutionize Hiring
A Custom Simulation Tool That Tests Real Marketing Skills—Without Google Ads Access
Adverge, a performance marketing agency known for its high standards, was facing a familiar but complex challenge: how do you accurately assess a candidate’s marketing capabilities, especially strategic thinking and in-depth Google Ads knowledge, without granting access to live Google Ads accounts?
They needed a smarter, safer, and more holistic way to evaluate talent. That’s where Sticky Tooling came in.
The Challenge
Adverge’s second-round interviews relied heavily on practical case assignments, but both existing options created friction:
Option 1: Live Google Ads Access
This gave realistic insight into how a candidate operated, but introduced risk. Client approval was needed, and any missteps could affect live campaigns.
Option 2: Real-time Audit Walkthroughs
This avoided platform access but placed too much emphasis on UI navigation. It also didn’t allow candidates to prepare or showcase their broader thinking and communication skills.
Both approaches had trade-offs, and neither gave the hiring team the well-rounded view they were after.
The Solution
Sticky Tooling partnered with Adverge to build a fully custom case simulation tool, tailored to their hiring process and visual identity.
Instead of needing live platform access, candidates now receive a curated case environment with:
- Google Ads interface screenshots
- Supporting business context documents
- Campaign data
- Clear expectations for presentation
And crucially: no access to real platforms or client data.
The custom simulation dashboard built for Adverge’s hiring process
The Results
The impact was immediate:
- Zero platform risk – no live access, no client involvement, no accidental changes
- Better-quality insights – candidates now demonstrate how they think and communicate, not just what they click
- Faster, safer preparation – for both recruiters and candidates
- More engaging candidate experience – realistic, fair, and representative of the actual role
“Hiring just got a whole lot smarter.”
— Adverge team
Client Review
“Working with Sticky Tooling was a game-changer for our hiring process. We’d been struggling with the limitations of traditional interview methods for months – either risking our live campaigns or settling for surface-level assessments that didn’t truly evaluate a candidate’s strategic thinking.
The custom simulation tool they built for us perfectly captures the complexity of real Google Ads management without any of the risks. Candidates can now demonstrate their analytical skills, strategic thinking, and communication abilities in a controlled environment that mirrors exactly what they’d be doing in the role.
What impressed us most was how quickly the Sticky Tooling team understood our specific needs. They didn’t just build us software – they built us a competitive advantage. The quality of insights we get from candidates now is dramatically better, and our hiring confidence has skyrocketed.
The tool has saved us countless hours of preparation time, eliminated client coordination headaches, and most importantly, helped us identify the right talent faster. It’s become an integral part of our recruitment process, and we couldn’t imagine going back to the old way of doing things.”
Menno Visser
Head of Talent Acquisition, Adverge
Performance Marketing Agency
Video Testimonial
Hear directly from Sarah Mitchell about their experience with our custom simulation tool
In this testimonial, Sarah discusses how the simulation tool transformed their hiring process and the measurable impact it had on their team’s efficiency and candidate quality.
Sarah Mitchell • Head of Talent Acquisition at Adverge
Conclusion
Sticky Tooling helped Adverge move from workaround solutions to a purpose-built hiring tool that finally matched the sophistication of their recruitment goals.
This case study isn’t just about better software, it’s about enabling better hires. And for Adverge, that means stronger teams, smarter marketing, and a safer, more streamlined process for everyone involved.
FAQ
Why didn't Adverge just use a Google Ads demo account?
Demo accounts don’t reflect the real decision-making pressures or case complexity. Plus, they still risk accidental changes and don’t offer the same flexibility in content or format.
What exactly did Sticky Tooling build?
A fully customized simulation tool that mimics the Google Ads experience using static visuals, documents, and contextual business info. It was built to match Adverge’s brand and processes, without relying on any third-party platforms.
How long did the build process take?
Sticky Tooling worked in close collaboration with Adverge over a few sprints to define the case structure, build the tool, test it, and iterate based on feedback. The project moved fast thanks to clear goals and quick decision-making from both sides. Approx 2 weeks of dev time.
Can this tool be reused or scaled?
Yes. Adverge can now update the content themselves or expand it to cover other marketing roles like Paid Social or CRO. Sticky Tooling designed the system to be modular and easy to evolve.
What made this project successful?
A tight collaboration between the client and our development team, combined with a clear pain point that couldn’t be solved with generic tools. The result is not just software, but a long-term hiring advantage.
Looking to build a smarter hiring tool?
Sticky Tooling designs and develops custom-built case platforms that help companies hire better—without compromising on safety, flexibility, or insight.