New research: The short-form video ad experience

When the FreeWheel Council for Premium Video surveyed 243 brand and ad agency executives in late 2016, the advertising experience was rated as the most significant challenge facing the video industry today. As anyone who is part of the advertising value chain will tell you, there are many variables and responsible parties involved in ensuring the right ad shows up in the right place at the right time, and in the right way. Fragmentation of viewing options for consumers has compounded the challenge, but it's not just the screen that impacts the type of ad experience. The content type, whether long-form full episodes (traditionally 30-60 minutes) or short-form clips (less than five minutes), create different viewer expectations of appropriate lengths and frequency of ads supporting that premium content. As part of a series of research into the ad experience, the FreeWheel Council for Premium Video sought to study the behavior of almost 3,000 viewers in order to understand how engagement and emotional reactions are impacted by different content and ad scenarios. Surveying those consumers after the viewing experience of premium video clips and advertising also created a better understanding of expectations of the ad experience, which in turn enables both publishers and advertisers to work together on driving better and more engaging advertising. The research was done in partnership with RealEyes, a leading emotion measurement platform, and almost 3,000 adults (aged 18-49) were exposed to a set of nine different scenarios of content and ads, measuring different reactions through technology. The results of this unique study were very interesting. Some key takeaways: From a publisher's perspective, it is clear that finding the right balance of content and ads is a vital part of the overall viewing experience, and it has implications for engagement levels both within their platform, and with the advertising that supports the content. From a marketer's perspective, alignment with premium content and publishers who are continuing to refine the ad experience makes sense. Engagement levels tend to be high with compelling, sought-after content (no matter its length) and programmers and platforms who are creating more user-focused experiences will undoubtedly drive better business outcomes. This is how premium video shines and differentiates itself from the less restrained world of digital. To download a copy of the full set of results, click here. About FreeWheel Council for Premium Video The FreeWheel Council for Premium Video (FWC) serves the interest of the premium video industry through leadership positions, research and advocacy. Founded initially in the U.S. in 2015, and expanded into Europe in 2017, FWC is an advocacy group comprised of 46 premium video providers globally, including programmers, pay TV/telco operators, and digital pure-plays. The FWC operates as an educational and organizing resource to assist marketers in reaching desired audiences in premium video environments, conducting research documenting the benefits of premium video, and championing the interests of member publishers and the market.

New research: The short-form video ad experience

Featured Stories