Blip Introduces Custom Ad Engine
Within the next two weeks, Blip.tv will be giving users the ability to insert their own custom, clickable advertising graphics and clips to their videos. The same features have already been deployed for Blip’s network ads, but this will enable show creators to place ads that are more relevant to both their content and their business. For instance, the first show to use the new custom ads is the Make Magazine video podcast — ads will allow viewers to purchase kits used in that specific show, or more generally, Make Magazine subscriptions or registrations for the popular Maker Faire events.
The mechanics of including ads will be similar to those in place for users to add their own stock intro and outro clips to videos. The ads will initially work with content in Quicktime and Flash, though Blip’s Mike Hudack told us Windows Media could be added if there’s enough demand. This means that even videos downloaded and saved, or played in iTunes, can generate clickthroughs and statistics. While stats like impressions and clickthroughs won’t be available immediately to users, they will be tracked from day one and presumably added to the rich stat reporting tools Blip added with their latest upgrade in January.
The project was suggested by Make Magazine’s Senior Editor Phillip Torrone, whose experience at advertising agency Fallon Worldwide for their award-winning work on BMW Films provided the inspiration. For his part, Hudack drew from the example of his own text blog. “When I ran my blog I made about five thousand dollars from donations and Amazon.com affiliate links alone.” Now video creators can add similar calls to action for donations through Paypal, suggested products on Amazon, merchandise from CafePress or Spreadshirt and the like to their shows.
Make was a natural fit because the video content features real goods, and Torrone pointed out that the whole DIY community can benefit. “At Make and Craft we’re seeing a lot of makers [and crafters] becoming their own businesses from selling their items on Etsy to eBay. These are custom handmade goods, crafts, electronics — a lot of really amazing stuff.” Another early addition to the program is Galacticast, who can take advantage of the new tools for their new sponsorship program.
Ideas like Blip’s could go a long way to answering many of the questions we’ve been hearing from the community about how to turn shows into viable businesses, and I happen to know that other creator-focused video sharing sites are working on similar solutions for both advertising and reporting viewership. I’m arranging for a more in-depth interview this week with Mike to discuss the business of creating content for online distribution more generally, so if you have any questions you’d like me to ask, please email them or post them in the comments.
Comments (10)
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[…] Blip.tv who we currently use to show Wallstrip on our homepage, just introduced a custom ad engine. NewTeeVee is reporting the story. Take a good read. It’s cool. […]
Howard Lindzon » Wallstrip and Custom…
— 9:39 AM on February 12, 2007
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[…] Wallstrip and Custom, Clickable Ads From Blip.tv Blip.tv who we currently use to show Wallstrip on our homepage, just introduced a custom ad engine. NewTeeVee is reporting the story. Take a good read. It’s cool. […]
Wallstrip and Custom, Clickable Ads From…
— 10:14 AM on February 12, 2007
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[…] http://newteevee.com/2007/02/12/blip-introduces-custom-ad-engine/ Within the next two weeks, Blip.tv1 will be giving users the ability to insert their own custom, clickable advertising graphics and clips to their videos. The same features have already been deployed for Blip’s network ads, but this will enable show creators to place ads that are more relevant to both their content and their business. For instance, the first show to use the new custom ads is the Make Magazine video podcast2 — ads will allow viewers to purchase kits used in that specific show, or more generally, Make Magazine subscriptions or registrations for the popular Maker Faire events. […]
Blip.tv press » Blog Archive »…
— 11:10 AM on February 13, 2007
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[…] http://www.wallstrip.com/howard/?p=1441 Blip.tv who we currently use to show Wallstrip on our homepage, just introduced a custom ad engine. NewTeeVee is reporting the story. Take a good read. It’s cool. […]
Blip.tv press » Blog Archive »…
— 11:15 AM on February 13, 2007
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[…] Blip.tv announced today its new customizable ad engine that allows videobloggers to insert their own clickable advertising graphics and clips in their videos. The first partner is MAKE magazine. […]
Blip.tv press » Blog Archive »…
— 7:09 AM on February 16, 2007
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I’m stoked. Now I gotta pick something to sell…
This is my Question
Why are they using old advertising methods like pre-rolls post rolls and mid rolls when they could be using ticker advertising that promotes a brand and gives users more control over when they watch the ADs .Brightcove and Videoegg both have overlay ads ..
http://www.theeggnetwork.com/options/
http://corp.brightcove.com/advertisers/ad-specs-overlay.cfm
Awesome! I’m glad I picked blip.tv to host my stuff. If only I had something to sell…
Matt,
We support overlay ads for traditional advertisers, and we’re looking forward to making overlays available as part of the DIY advertising platform in the near future. When it comes to DIY, we want to start simple and grow the formats available over time.
Yours,
Mike
Co-founder & CEO, blip.tv
Thanks for the info Mike
Im really tired of Ads that interupt and especialy with the content on your platfom that tends to be short form ,even pre-rolls can be annoying .
I can handle overlays where I decide if I when and if I watch the comercial and if you and your advertisng partners are targeting accutratly you might just get me to view the video or flash\web based ad .
Joost for example doesnt even seem to have a ad insertion algorithm even though some of thier long form content even has spots for Ad breaks .
This would be better serviced by overlays and then postrolls/prerolls in between the shows or when switching chanels .
Overlay ads are also built into the AdBrite player, which I’ve always liked, but I’m not sure how customizable or publisher-driven they are. I think that in the future, you’ll definitely have all these options at a number of providers.
I think this is a great idea! I’m starting a video channel that I’m hosting with Blip.tv (because of their excellent toolset) and having the ability to create our own ads will only enhance our audience’s experience and our ability as a business. We’re already working to create “sponsored” videos now, this will take it to the next level.
BTW, we’re working out some server kinks, but should be up and running our innagural week next week
video.philebrity.com
Ouch! That video in the posting really looks like it needs to be de-interlaced. Check out “-vf yadif” if you’re using mencoder.
phil from MAKE here – i can’t speak for any video maker other than our team at MAKE but i personally don’t want weird overlays mid-content or ads that aren’t something i made myself. for us it’s important that the ads match up with who we are, the stuff we’re doing with blip is exactly what i’d want to know about/buy/visit after i watched a video from start to finish.
all the comments here are great, i can’t wait to see more videos with maker-made goods.
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article , but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.