INSTREAM VIDEO DISTRIBUTION
(Pre-Roll & Mid-Roll)
NOTE: Pre-Roll & Mid-Roll are bundled together on Autos sites and can not be chosen individually
DELIVERABLES & SPECIFICATIONS
DESKTOP: MIN. 1280 X 720 / MOBILE: 640 X 360
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| AD COMPONENTS | :15 Pre-Roll / :15 VAST Pre-Roll |
| FILE TYPE | MPEG-4 (MP4), MOV or AVI |
| DIMENSIONS | Desktop: Min 1280x720 / Mobile: 640x360 |
| INSERTION POINT | Pre-roll only |
| MAX FPS | 15, 25, 30 fps |
| VIDEO TARGET BIT RATE | Low Resolution: 500-700 kbps
Medium Resolution (Standard): 700-1500 kbps High Resolution (Hi-Def): 1500-2500 kbps for 720p, 2500-3500 kbps for 1080p |
| VIDEO CODEC |
H.264 |
| ASPECT RATIO | 16:9 |
| CLICK EVENT | Both the video window and companion ad may be clickable with links to advertiser site |
| COMPANION AD | Yes, 300 x 250 |
| VIDEO LENGTH | 15 sec preferred (30 Sec acceptable) If video is longer than 15 sec, then the "event='skip'" (skippable) flag must be present on the VAST tag. |
| AUDIO CODEC | AAC-LC or HE-AACv1 |
| AUDIO BIT RATE |
128-192 kbps for AAC-LC 64-128 kbps for HE-AACv1 All non-DCM mobile specific third-party tags must be MRAID enabled. |
| AUDIO LEVELS | Volume should be normalized to -23 dBFS |
| PRE-ROLL ASSET DELIVERY | 10 business days prior to campaign launch
Ad Server: Site 1x1 Impression Tracker/Click-through URL If video is longer than 15 sec, it must be configured as skippable |
| VAST PRE-ROLL ASSET DELIVERY | 10 business days prior to campaign launch
Ad Server: Third-Party If video is longer than 15 sec, then the "event='skip'" (skippable) flag must be present on the VAST tag |
| NOTES | All creative tags and accompanying technologies being served by the tags must be SSL compliant (HTTPS)
FPS and Bit rate: Use lowest value that looks acceptable to help reduce file size Cannot accept VPAID tags Link to IAB guidelines for more detailed specs: Digital Video In-Stream Ad Format Guidelines |
GUIDELINES
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| PRE-ROLL ASSET DELIVERY | 10 business days prior to campaign launch
Ad Server: Site 1x1 Impression Tracker/Click-through URL If video is longer than 15 sec, it must be configured as skippable |
| VAST PRE-ROLL ASSET DELIVERY | 10 business days prior to campaign launch
Ad Server: Third-Party If video is longer than 15 sec, then the "event='skip'" (skippable) flag must be present on the VAST tag |
| NOTES | All creative tags and accompanying technologies being served by the tags must be SSL compliant (HTTPS)
FPS and Bit rate: Use lowest value that looks acceptable to help reduce file size Cannot accept VPAID tags Link to IAB guidelines for more detailed specs: Digital Video In-Stream Ad Format Guidelines |
YouTube
Extend the reach of Hearst Pre-Roll through Hearst Autos’ YouTube channels. In-stream video ads run alongside premium editorial video, delivering brand messaging to engaged audiences in trusted environments.
Benefits
Hearst Brand Alignment: Appear alongside Hearst’s leading editorial video franchises.
Brand-Safe Environment: Ads run within Hearst-managed YouTube channels to ensure trusted placements.
Audience Targeting: Reach relevant viewers using YouTube’s platform targeting capabilities.
Flexible Buying: Support rotational placements, contextual alignment, audience targeting, or sponsorship programs.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Off-platform via Hearst YouTube channels |
| Video Placement | Pre-Roll |
| Video Type | In-Stream – audio and video autoplay |
| Skippable | Up to 15s may be non-skippable. Videos longer than 15s are skippable after 5s. |
| Targeting | YouTube platform targeting capabilities |