AOL Introduces Video Ticker Ads

Offers Advertisers an Emerging Interactive Solution for Online Video Advertising;

Developed in Conjunction with PointRoll’s Technology, TickerBoy



NEW YORK, NY.– AOL today announced the availability of video ticker ads, a new interactive video advertising solution that serves as a creative alternative to pre-roll ads that was developed in conjunction with PointRoll, the leading provider of rich media technology solutions.



AOL’s video ticker ad is a graphic banner ad that is integrated within a streaming video, but without obstructing the video viewing experience. When clicked on by a consumer, the ticker expands to launch a video ad, or an interactive Flash ad, within the video player window. These ads will run across the AOL Network of premium video content within the newest version of the AOL Video media player platform.



“Online video consumption is a fast growing consumer behavior and our new video ticker ads give advertisers a new and creative opportunity to reach consumers through this burgeoning medium,” said Curt Viebranz, President of Platform-A. “With these ads, advertisers can target users who are consuming video with a clickable video or an interactive Flash ad, creating a deeper, longer brand dialogue that isn’t passive.”



“Other rudimentary overlay solutions exist, but ours is the only one that is fully interactive, offers such deep metrics and is backed by PointRoll’s technology, TickerBoy,” said Jason Tafler, Senior Vice President of Global Business Operations and Strategy for PointRoll. “Already, TickerBoy is in exclusive company. Not only has AOL led the publisher/portal charge to adopt TickerBoy, this new video advertising solution will attract leading advertisers.”



According to a recent survey by TNS Research, 78% of respondents agreed that online video ads provide as good as -- if not more -- of an opportunity to learn about an advertiser than TV. And 64% said that they have taken some action after seeing an online video ad. In addition, 41% of those surveyed stated that after they see a brand featured in an online video ad, they are more likely to think of that brand as having a strong presence on the Internet.*



Rather than overlaying an ad and obstructing the view of a video, AOL’s video ticker ad appears at the bottom of the video player 10 seconds into the video stream. When clicked by a user, the ad expands while the video pauses. If the user does not interact with the ad, it will dissolve after 15 seconds leaving the branded text link. Clicking on the branded text link, located at the top of the video player, will relaunch the ticker.



Also announced today is a newly revamped media player platform which introduces several new and improved features, including:



* A single flexible experience: Sharing and social utilities - such as email, bookmarking and related videos - are available from the player view port;
* Multiple monetization options: New ad inventory includes 300 x 250 interstitials, video ticker ads and synched text ads;
* A new user interface and development framework: The new UI streamlines the control set and improves customization options, while the new development framework simplifies adding new features.



* TNS, AOL/Google Online Video Survey, September, 2007