Why You Need To Know About Video Ads Now

MediaMath’s Matt Ware says it’s not too late to get your head around video ads as the media continues its upward trajectory.
Online video consumption has rocketed in recent years, opening up a lucrative new advertising channel for marketers. In the first quarter of 2014, video advertising in Australia enjoyed an impressive year-on-year growth of 55.7% according to the IAB and represented 14.3% of total digital display dollars.
Although video advertising is by no means new, the way tech-savvy viewers consume video is changing – with a marked shift from TV to online viewing – presenting a real opportunity for marketers to incorporate programmatic video into their campaigns.
Video is a powerful tool for increasing brand awareness and tells a meaningful, multi-sensory story that resonates deeply with consumers. It also operates successfully as part of an integrated campaign, combining digital channels such as display, social media, and mobile to create a seamless brand message – which is critical for marketers looking to maximise their presence across all media channels.
When looking to integrate video into a campaign, there are some key elements that marketers should consider to ensure they reap maximum rewards from this growing channel.
Understand the user environment
While some marketers may think it’s a good idea to reuse their traditional TV ad for an online campaign, it’s worth remembering that viewers engage differently with online media. While longer, professionally shot commercials are suited to a TV audience, shorter ads featuring user-generated content are more effective for online viewing. The nature of TV viewing is very different to online video viewing, so factors such as device type, screen size, and interactivity also need to be considered when considering an online video campaign.
Video campaigns should be planned holistically and in line with other channels to guarantee a seamless storytelling experience across all platforms. While repetition is important for building brand recognition, over-saturation is a potential problem with multi-channel advertising – frequency caps and sequential targeting should also be co-ordinated across all channels, including video. Marketers should aim to present the consumer with the right mix of formats and messages to keep their brand at the forefront of viewers’ minds, without causing viewer fatigue or indifference.
Optimise and attribute
Video drives a high level of engagement, as long as it is precisely targeted to the viewer. Algorithmic optimisation allows technology to determine what’s working – using video-specific performance data such as quartile-completion metrics – and to allocate spend in that direction without relying on a manual process. Video advertising is adaptable and adjustments to frequency, targeting – and even creative – can be made in response to real-time results.
Alongside optimisation, an effective attribution solution allows marketers to understand the role an online video ad has in the conversion pathway. This is particularly the case for higher-funnel video ads that are not intended to drive direct sales. An effective attribution solution can allocate weight to each impression and track events through pixels, highlighting the impressions that have the most influence over the eventual conversion. This increased visibility enables marketers to effectively adjust their campaign to generate the best possible results.
Measure video success
Every online video campaign should have clear goals and a set of measureable KPIs in place to determine whether those goals are being met. Tools such as gross rating point (GRP) can help gauge online video success, comparing TV and digital campaigns to deliver like-for-like analysis. Campaigns can also be set up to meet any number of video-specific goals including: exposure, engagement, reach, and frequency. Effective measurement against these metrics ensures that marketers can adjust their online video campaign for optimal impact.
As a unique medium for storytelling and deep multi-sensory consumer engagement, online video content – and its associated advertising – is swiftly expanding. By understanding the distinct way that viewers consume online video, targeting video ads to a specific audience through algorithmic optimisation, understanding the role that video plays in the conversion path, and measuring performance against a set of video-specific targets, marketers can gain maximum return on this essential channel and ensure that video stays in the spotlight.
Matt Ware is the commercial director, APAC of MediaMath
Latest News

ghd Appoints GrowthOps Digital As Digital Marketing Partner
Global hair styling brand, ghd has today announced the appointment of GrowthOps Digital as its digital marketing partner.

Prahran Market Announces Masterchef Grand Finalist Simon Toohey As ‘Sustainable Simon’
Prahran Market is excited to announce Simon Toohey as the Market’s new sustainability guru ‘Sustainable Simon’

Xandr Shares Comprehensive Approach To Identity
Xandr today shared insight into its multi-faceted approach to identity solutions, to facilitate high-value transactions for buyers and sellers following the deprecation of third-party cookies and device IDs.

Bolster Group Launches Regional Tour ‘Small Town Big Sound’, For The Transport Accident Commission’s Vanessa
A nod to the colourful, late 70’s Aussie pub rock scene, Bolster Group has created the Small Town Big Sound campaign; collecting a handful of the nation’s locally adored bands to tour regional Victoria in the latest campaign for TAC’s Vanessa.

When It Comes Brand Building, Less Isn’t Always More
In this guest post, Hulsbosch’s creative director Marcel Wijnen, casts his design eye over what truly makes a brand and says it’s all about being true and essential… To do simple – and to be original – is a truly tough task. Not impossible, but not easy. Naturally, we can get lost in ‘striving for simplicity’ […]

Seven Victorian Charities Join Forces To Light Up Thousands Of Lives With ‘Power Up’ 2021 Campaign
Seven Victorian charities are uniting for a month-long virtual fundraising challenge - Power Up 2021 - between 28th February and 28th March. There’s no denying that 2020 affected everyone, but small charities experienced a huge drop in much needed donations and it is hoped the Power Up campaign will bring fundraising back to life.

South Australian Supermarket Chain Foodland Launches ‘Mighty’ New Campaign, Via KWP!
South Australia’s largest independent supermarket chain, Foodland – with its unforgettable jingle “Foodland, the mighty South Aussies, yeah” – will launch a new campaign on 7th March. The campaign coincides with the chain’s $251m expansion program to open twenty-five new stores, revamp fourty-seven and create 2,500 new jobs over the next five years. Agency KWP! […]

AFG Launches Brand Refresh From The Works Ahead Of Tech Launches
Ahead of major new technology launches, AFG (Australian Finance Group) has unveiled a new brand design, logo and campaign created by The Works.

Client Retentions Boost Carat’s Billings And Solidify Growth
Jim Groves, Managing Director of Carat Perth, announced today a significant growth period for the agency with the retention of three existing clients.

Julie Bishop, Thelma Plum And More: Klarna’s First Aussie Smoooth Session
A-listers turned out to Klarna's Sydney party last night. It did move significantly down the alphabet on B&T's arrival.

The Future Of Post-Pandemic Advertising Or Plain Gross? People Are Freaking Out Over This Racy Menswear Campaign
B&T warns this contains imagery of attractive people in various states of undress. And by "warn" we mean "encourage".

A Win For Privacy Or For Google? Ad Tech Industry Weighs In On Tracking Changes
Here, B&T asks "a win for privacy or for Google?" & you'd pick the splinters out of our arse such was the fence-sitting.

72andSunny Announce New Narratives: Mapping Modern Masculinity Event
72andSunny announces plans for a masculinity event, adding it's not compulsory to do donuts in a ute before attending.

Government Supports ‘Buy Aussie Now’ Marketplace With ‘Tick Of Approval’ For Australian Businesses
B&T always looks to buy Australian, except that is when it comes to sombreros, Shih Tzus or plundered Inca ruins.

Co-Founder Of Eyeota Returns As Head of Brand Solutions AU/NZ
Eyeota, the leading audience technology platform enabling the intelligent use of data, today announced its co-founder, Trent Lloyd, has been appointed Head of Brand Solutions, Australia/New Zealand.

Muval Launches First Broadcast And Digital Advertising Campaign, Targeting ‘Relocation Of The Nation’
Muval is an online booking platform for removalists, despite sounding like a psyllium fibre supplement for constipation.

The Indie Recipe: A Dash Of Agility And A Spoonful Of Adaptation
Here's the recipe for indie agency success! Sadly it doesn't go so far as tips on stealing your competitor's clients.

Clems Melbourne Launches New Content Division
Judging by the press photo, Clems content division enjoy a laugh. Unless they're learning of a colleague's termination?

The Wiggles Mash-Up Tame Impala’s ‘Elephant’ With Iconic Hit ‘Fruit Salad’ For Triple J
The Wiggles have done triple J's 'Like A Version' and, thankfully, no one had a bout of narcolepsy or a heart attack.

Yes, You Can Now Buy Cadbury Creme Egg-Flavoured Beer!
The hot cross bun said to be the ideal accompaniment to Cadbury Creme Egg beer. Followed by a trip to Weight Watchers.

WPP Snares Facebook’s Dave Rolfe For Global Head Of Production Role
Dave Rolfe named WPP's global head of production while confirming he's no relation to convicted sex pest Rolf Harris.

Thursday TV Wrap: Gogglebox Numbers Continue To Climb
With MAFS on hiatus, it was a Steven Bradbury sprint to the line for the networks last night. Sans the silly helmets.

Australian Community News Launches Travel Website
Clearly having not read a newspaper in the past 12 months, Australian Community News announces plans for travel website.

Moccona Launches New “Me-Time” Brand Platform, Via Edge
Moccona's the premium instant coffee of choice at the B&T office. Even if we do refill the jar with International Roast.

Network 10 And Nickelodeon International Partner For First-Time With Live Action Series
Dreading the fast-approaching school holidays? This may be of interest or even a bulk purchase at Dan Murphys.

Introducing The Zavy Social Scoreboard
Get yourself acquainted with the Zavy Social Scoreboard here. Why not mix a martini for added mood and intimacy.

Study: 81% Of Creatives Say COVID’s Hit Their Earnings, 40% Saying It’s More Than Halved
In lieu of the AstraZeneca vaccine, B&T's warding off the pandemic with a Vick's Vapor Rub & a Johnnie Walker & honey.

Priceline Pharmacy Celebrates Every Day Being A Festival of You, Via Whippet
Priceline celebrates the 'festival of you' in latest campaign. Particularly if you stink, itch, secrete or blister.

Foxtel Media Unveils Four New Digitally Enabled Cient Offerings
Miss the Foxtel Group 2021 Showcase yesterday? Watch a video replay of it in full here while pausing for toilet breaks.

“The Free And Open Internet Is A Force For Good”: Quantcast Reveals New Intelligent Audience Platform
On Thursday, Quantcast held their Virtual NOVA event, discussing the current state of the advertising industry, the end of third-party cookies, the open internet vs walled gardens, and data privacy and consent. The event coincided with the launch of their new Quantcast Platform. It is an intelligent audience platform powered by the company’s patented AI […]