Advertising

The Ooyala Ad Server

Third Party Integration

Applying Ads

Ad Sets

 

The Ooyala Ad Server

Q. How do I begin using my own ads with Backlot?

A. You can manage and upload your ads in the same way that you manage and upload other video content. Drag and drop to upload and automatically transcode your ad. You can also use the Upload button to upload your videos. You can organize it like your other videos and obtain analytics, too.

Q. What video ad formats can I use with my Backlot videos?

A. You can use pre-roll, post-roll, and in-stream advertising formats. Overlay ads will be available in the near future.

Q. What video formats can I upload to Backlot?

A. We recommend that you use ads in H.264, but we support many commonly used codecs: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VP6, VP5, H.264, H.263, WMV/WMA, and MJPEG.

Q. How can I see a list of all my ads in Backlot?

A. To view a list of your ads, follow these steps:

  • Access the Manage tab.
  • Select the Ad category. Ads that you have marked as "Ads" will show up in this list. To check to see if an ad is marked as an "Ad," select the ad in your content list and check the Details tab.

Q. Why do I need to mark my ads as "Ads" in Backlot?

A. Marking your ads will make your ad content available when you try to insert your ad. To mark your ad, select the ad in your content library. In the Details tab, check the "Mark this content as an Ad" box.

Q. How do I view analytics for my Ads?

A. Ads delivered through the Ooyala ad server can be seen by selecting the Ad content under the Analyze tab in Backlot. The ad contnet can be seen in each of the individual reports and easily grouped together under the Performance report.

Third Party Ad Integration

Q. How do I use an ad server/network with my Backlot account?

A. To use an ad server or network with your Backlot account, your account must be enabled by your account manager. If it is not enabled, these options will not show up in your ad options to choose from when inserting ads.

Q. What can I do if I don't have any ads?

A. We suggest you look into using a 3rd party server or network. We integrate with the following services:

  • Adify (In-Stream)
  • AdTech (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • Atlas (In-Stream, Companion)
  • CBSi (In-Stream)
  • DART Enterprise
  • DoubleClick (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • Google AdSense (In-Stream, Overlay, End Slate)
  • FreeWheel (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • LightningCast (In-Stream, Companion)
  • LiveRail (In-Stream)
  • Open AdStream (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • OpenX (In-Stream)
  • ScanScout (In-Stream)
  • Tremor Acudeo (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion, End Slate, VChoice)
  • Tremor Lite (In-Stream)
  • TV2N (In-Stream)
  • YuMe (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)

Q. How do I manually insert an ad from my ad server or ad network?

A. To insert ads from your ad server/network, your Backlot account must be enabled for integration. See your Backlot account manager for assistance or email support@ooyala.com. After this is set up, follow these directions:

  • In the Manage tab, select your video title.
  • At the bottom of the console, select the Edit Video button to enter the Darkroom where you will place ads in your video.
  • Select the Ads tab.
  • On the lower left side of the Ads area, select the +Ad button.
  • Select your ad server/network from the displayed options.
  • Drag the yellow playhead in the Ad track to the desired position for your ad.
  • If you wish to change the placement of your ad, you can drag the ad in the Ad track, stopping at your desired location in the video track.
  • To delete your ad placement, mouse over the ad in the Ad track and select the garbage can icon.
  • To ad a click URL to your ad, select the pen icon and add your URL the Click URL window.

Q. What additional information will I need if I want to use my current Ad Network or Ad Server?

A. You will need to enter the Ad Tag, Tracking Pixel URL (optional).

Q. What is an Ad Tag?

A. The Ad Tag is the URL given to you by your Ad Network or Ad Server. If this information if not added, the AdSet will not be included when your video is played.

Q. What Ad Source options are available?

A. My Ads and Ad Sets are available for all accounts. Below is a list of the additional integrations and ad types supported:

  • My Ads
  • Ad Sets
  • Adify (In-Stream)
  • AdTech (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • Atlas (In-Stream, Companion)
  • CBSi (In-Stream)
  • DART Enterprise
  • DoubleClick (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • Google AdSense (In-Stream, Overlay, End Slate)
  • FreeWheel (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • LightningCast (In-Stream, Companion)
  • LiveRail (In-Stream)
  • Open AdStream (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)
  • OpenX (In-Stream)
  • ScanScout (In-Stream)
  • Tremor Acudeo (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion, End Slate, VChoice)
  • Tremor Lite (In-Stream)
  • TV2N (In-Stream)
  • YuMe (In-Stream, Overlay, Companion)

Q. How do I view analytics for my Third Party Ads?

A. If you are using a third party for ads then the analytics will be available through that respective partner.

Q. Does Ooyala support VAST compliant ads?

A. Yes. Ooyala is VAST compliant and supports many VAST ad integrations of third party ad servers and ad networks.>/p>

Applying Ads

Q. How can Backlot help me monetize my video?

A. Backlot has several advertising features that allow you to insert advertising in your video. You can use your own ad content, your own sales team to sell ads, or an ad server or ad network to supplement your content with advertising. Backlot also provides the tools to restrict content so it can be made available for pay-per view, subscription, and other premium monetization models. Backlot's Analytics then provides the information you need to measure the impact and viewer engagement for your videos.

Q. How many ads can I place in my videos?

A. You can use as many ads as you want and you can place them anywhere in your videos.

Q. How can I get analytics from my ad content?

A. To obtain analytics from your ad content, select the ad title from your content library and apply the date range. The analytics relate to the ad itself, but they do not measure how the ad performed alongside specific videos. If you are using third party ad integration then you will use their software for tracking.

Q. What is an Ad Source?

A. Ad Source describes where your video comes from: My Content or an ad server/network. You find this option among other options when using the Ad Sets feature.

Q. What is a Click URL?

A. A Click URL is a web address used for promotion and sales.

Q. What is a Tracking Pixel URL?

A. A Tracking Pixel URL is a pixel that will be displayed with an ad. You can track your ad delivery with this pixel URL. A pixel URL is commonly comprised of a 1x1 transparent pixel that is placed on a web server that the content owner controls.

Q. How can I insert advertising into my Backlot videos?

A. There are two ways to insert advertising using the Backlot platform:

  • Manually place the ads from your own content library ("My Content") or from your ad server or ad network.
  • Use our Ad Sets to apply ad templates to your videos. Ad sets are ad templates that allow you to designate where your ads should come from and the placement of your ads in the video. Once you set up the template, you can program specific ad serving rules and apply them to your videos. We recommend this method if you are managing a lot of ads or ad placements. The directions are below.

Q. How do I manually insert my ad content in my video?

A. To manually insert an ad of your own in your video, follow these directions:

  • To insert advertising from your content library to a video, your ads need to be marked as "Ads" in your Backlot. Marking your ads, makes them easily accessible when you insert them.
  • To mark your ad, access the Manage tab.
  • Select your ad.
  • In the Details tab, check the "Mark this content as an Ad" box. Your ad will now be categorized as an ad.
  • In the Manage tab, select your video title.
  • At the bottom of the console, select the Edit Video button to enter the Darkroom where you will place ads in your video.
  • Select the Ads tab.
  • On the lower left side of the Ad tab, select the +Ad button.
  • Choose the My Content option to insert an ad from your own video library. Videos marked as "Ads" will appear in your list of ads.
  • Drag the yellow playhead in the Ad track to the desired position for your ad.
  • Select the +Ad button located on the lower left side of the console.
  • From your content library, select the ad you want to use.
  • Select the Add Selected Content button on the bottom of the console.
  • You will return to the Darkroom and your ad will be inserted where you placed the video playhead.
  • If you wish to change the placement of your ad, you can drag the ad in the Ad track, stopping at your desired location in the video track.
  • To delete your ad, mouse over the ad in the Ad track and select the garbage can icon.
  • To ad a click URL to your ad, select the pen icon and add your URL the Click URL window.

Ad Sets

Q. What are Ad Sets?

A. Ad sets are ad templates that allow you to designate where your ads should come from and the placement of your ads in the video. Once you set up the template, you can program specific ad serving rules and apply them to your videos. If you are integrating ads from a 3rd party ad network or have multiple ads in different placements, we highly recommend our Ad Sets feature. Here is a short video introduction. To enable your account for this integration, contact your Backlot account manager or email support@ooyala.com. If your account is not enabled for integration, you will not see these options in your Ad Source drop down windows.

Q. Why should I use the Ad Sets feature?

A. Ad Sets make the process of inserting ads much faster if you are managing a lot of ads or large advertising campaigns. By using the Ad Sets you can create a set and apply it like a template to your videos.

Q. How do I create an Ad Set for use with and ad network or ad server?

A. Follow these directions:

  • CREATE AD SET
    • From the Publish tab, go to the Ad Sets sub-tab.
    • Select the New Ad Set button located in the Ad Sets pane.
    • On the right side of the Ad Sets pane, enter a name for your Ad Set.
    • From the Ad Source drop down window, select from your list of 3rd party ad networks/servers.
    • If you are integrating with an ad network/server, insert your Ad Tag. This is the URL given to you by your ad network/server. Without an Ad Tag, your ads will not be displayed.
    • If you wish to track your ad with a tracking pixel URL, enter the URL in the Tracking Pixel URL window.
    • To determine the placement of your ad, select an option from the Ad Position drop down window. If you choose an in-stream ad, choose to set the placement with a Time option or a Percent option. The Percent option allows you to place the ad according to the percent of video played from the beginning.
    • If you wish to use another ad, select the "Ad another Ad to this Ad Set" link at the bottom and repeat steps 1-8. You are now ready to insert your ad.
  • INSERT AD
    • From the Manage tab, select your video.
    • Select the Edit Video button to enter the Darkroom.
    • Select the Ad tab.
    • Select the +Ad button.
    • Select your Ad Set. The set will be applied to your video.

Q. How do I create an Ad Set using My Content?

A. To create an Ad Set using your own ad content, follow these directions:

  • CREATE AD SET
  • From the Publish tab, go to the Ad Sets sub-tab.
  • Select the New Ad Set button located in the Ad Sets pane.
  • On the right side of the Ad Sets pane, enter a name for your Ad Set.
  • Select the My Content option to use advertising creative from your own content library.
  • In the content window, select the ad you want to use.
  • Select the Add Selected Content button.
  • If you wish to ad a click URL, enter the URL in the Click URL window.
  • If you wish to track your ad with a tracking pixel URL, enter the URL in the Tracking Pixel URL window.
  • To determine the placement of your ad, select an option from the Ad Position drop down window. If you choose an in-stream add, choose to set the placement with a Time option or a Percent option. The Percent option allows you to place the ad according to the percent of video played from the beginning.
  • If you wish to use another ad, select the "Ad another Ad to this Ad Set" link at the bottom and repeat steps 1-9. You are now ready to insert your ad.
  • INSERT AD
  • From the Manage tab, select your video.
  • Select the Edit Video button to enter the Darkroom.
  • Select the Ad tab.
  • Select the +Ad button.
  • Select the Ad Set that contains your own ad content. The set will be applied to your video.

Q. How do I add another ad to my Ad Set?

A. To add another ad click on "Add another Ad to this Ad Set" found in the lower right corner of the Ad Set creation area.

Q. How do I delete an Ad Set?

A. To delete an Ad Set, click on the red "x" in the Ad Set library.

Q. Can I assign a default Ad Set for new videos added to my account?

A. Yes, click on the pull down on the bottom of the screen to select the default Ad Set.

Q. What happens if I change my Ad Set properties?

A. When you change the options in your Ad Set, the changes will be instantly reflected in your live videos.

Q. How do I remove an Ad Set from my video?

A. To remove an Ad Set, follow these directions:

  • From the Manage tab, select your video title.
  • Select the Edit Video button to enter the Darkroom.
  • Select the Ads sub-tab.
  • Above the video track, select "Remove Ad Set from this video."