Breakthrough Idea for Video Ads
This from CNet News.com:
YouTube tests 10-second ad format
Google is finally rolling out an advertising format for YouTube that could succeed where many others have failed: it’s not annoying.
Here is a lead of the story:
Google’s YouTube will feature ads that are similar to a model used by TV broadcasters for years, the company said Tuesday. TV viewers have grown accustomed to watching a show and seeing the image of David Letterman or some other star walk across the bottom of the screen as part of a promotion. YouTube’s new ads are very similar.
YouTube’s mini commercials, which are produced through Flash animation, appear at the bottom of a video, are mostly transparent, and disappear after 10 seconds. Once the ad appears, a user has the option of clicking on it while the video pauses. The viewer is then taken to a “player within the player” where he or she is encouraged to interact with the advertiser’s content. When the person clicks out of the ad, the video resumes.
Here is an example, watch for the ad about 10 seconds into the video.