Ad Guide: In-Stream

General Information

smartclip’s best practices for advertising creatives:

• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (standard widescreen)
• Video length: 15-25 seconds (recommended)

The following setups are not allowed, as settings will get applied by smartclip:

• Ads that automatically expand
• Inserted “close button”
• Preset cappings (geo, FC, device, etc.) by campaign/agency

For In-Text Branded Activation ads, In-Text Interactive ads, In-Text Choose ads, and all Rich Media Video Effect ad formats, please provide the CI Guide including colour code, fonts, logos as well as the desired wording (e.g. slogans) as well as video and imagery for the campaign. 

Subtitles/closed captioning: VAST 4.1 enables subtitles/closed captioning by standardising the delivery of closed captioning files. Please make sure to include a closed caption file.

For IO, please provide all creative material or redirects at least five days before the campaign starts. Delayed/incorrect delivery can lead to a delayed starting date of the agreed campaign. Hence, a punctual start cannot be guaranteed. Changing ads during the campaign period may only be carried out with tested advertising assets and in coordination with smartclip.

Subject to prior consultation and agreements, other requirements may apply for individual forms of advertising/billing.

In-Stream Video Formats

Pre-Roll

Pre-Roll video ads stream directly before the publisher’s content begins. Since Pre-Roll ads precede featured content, they are more likely to be perceived by viewers as informative rather than intrusive. They drive key metrics such as brand awareness, brand engagement, brand favourability, and purchase intent.

Available on mobile, tablet, desktop, and smart TV.

Mid-Roll

Mid-Roll video ads resemble conventional commercial breaks, and stream in the middle of the publisher’s video content. Viewers that make it to a Mid-Roll ad are highly engaged and more likely to view featured content to the end. Therefore, this placement typically achieves high completion rates. 

Available on mobile, tablet, desktop, and smart TV.

Post-Roll

Post-Roll video ads stream directly after the publisher’s video content. Since Post-Roll ads follow featured content, they work well if your ad encourages viewers to perform an immediate action, as viewers are more likely to respond to a call-to-action when it does not distract them from the original featured content. 

Available on mobile, tablet, desktop, and smart TV.

Bumper Ad

Bumper video ads are shorter video ads available as Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Rolls. Due to its short, user-friendly features, this ad generally achieves high view-through rates (VTR) and works well as a campaign supplement.

Available on mobile, tablet, desktop, and smart TV.

Technical Specifications

Tag / Redirect Delivery

Video File

Dynamic Ad

Dynamic ads change creatives in order to create personalised ad experiences based on personal interest and/or location. This competitive video ad format effectively combines reach and relevance and is available in all online video in-stream and out-stream environments. 

Available on mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Technical Specifications

Physical Ad / Video Delivery