Commentary

Native Advertising And Video: How To Avoid The Skip Button

Native advertising is taking the advertising industry by storm, and among the many possible execution strategies for brands and publishers, video is proving to be a far-reaching and highly effective way to go native.

But first, let’s define native advertising. The terms “advertorial” and “native advertising” are often commingled in conversation, despite meaning very different things. Advertorial refers to branded content controlled by the advertiser, often opinion-based and often unrelated to the broader host environment.  In contrast, native advertising refers to branded or integrated content that remains consistent with the visual design and user experience of the environment or media outlet in which it appears.

Admittedly, I was skeptical when I observed credible news organizations such as The New York Times and The Washington Post embracing native advertising. I questioned how they could maintain their journalistic integrity if advertisers paid for content on their sites. However, in analyzing the results, I see reputable native executions that satisfy both the brand advertiser and the consumer audience.

It’s important to draw a clear line against native advertising controlling the expressed opinion in a content piece, such as paying for a positive review of a new product.  However, native executions that drive discovery, consumer conversation and brand impression can be powerful and innovative marketing.

The chatter around native advertising typically centers on onsite executions and written editorial. Yet with the increased consumption and ever-expanding distribution of video, brands should be focusing on executing native advertising within the video experience itself, regardless of where the video lives.

Video is a compelling format for native advertising for the same reasons it trumps banner ads. Video enables brands to tell stories at a level of visual appeal and engagement that other formats simply cannot achieve. As part of this trend, a new model has emerged for native advertising in video. Rather than mimic television commercials that jarringly interrupt the viewer’s experience, this new model interweaves engaging content, brand integration, and multiplatform distribution tactics in order to send a stronger brand message to more viewers.

Here are a few quick tips for further developing your video native advertising strategy:

1. Distribution: Don’t limit yourself to a publisher’s site or YouTube alone. If you make an investment in creating compelling video content, then take advantage of today’s multiplatform options to broaden your distribution. In addition, know that video can have a contextual home in more places than written editorial.

2. Measurement: Remember to measure the results, which is easier with video.  For example, you can verify if a viewer completed the entire video play, but not if they read an entire written article. 

3. Message: Remember that the content is the focus. The idea is to leave the viewer with an experience and impression that reflects positively on your brand, so don’t force your advertising message into the content.

Video can be a compelling and measureable way for marketers to go native, keeping viewer’s fingers off the “skip” button by leveraging strong visual integration, low interruption and a thoughtful content message
6 comments about "Native Advertising And Video: How To Avoid The Skip Button ".
Check to receive email when comments are posted.
  1. Mike Einstein from the Brothers Einstein, March 18, 2014 at 12:40 p.m.

    Only way to avoid the skip button with this turkey is to not do it in the first place.

  2. Sheldon Senzon from JMS Media, Inc., March 18, 2014 at 12:54 p.m.

    Another example where poor Erwin Ephron is spinning around in his grave...Try keeping it simple, no need to impress us with a lot of mumbo jumbo...

    "Advertorial refers to branded content controlled by the advertiser, often opinion-based and often unrelated to the broader host environment. In contrast, native advertising refers to branded or integrated content that remains consistent with the visual design and user experience of the environment or media outlet in which it appears"

  3. Neil Perry from The Institutes, March 18, 2014 at 4:07 p.m.

    Nice piece. Thanks for taking the time to share. Your identification of video as a perfect vehicle for effective native advertising is spot on and I'm seeing many marketers using it efffectively, as long as they avoid that self-promotion trap so many can't seem to avoid.

  4. John Osborn from Turnstilâ„¢, March 20, 2014 at 1:44 p.m.

    Thank you Jen for a thoughtful piece on native video. I thought your definitions of advertorial and native were as clear and concise as I've heard, though I think an industry lexicon definition is still being formed. I agree that this is the time for engagement and attraction, not hard promotion, by advertisers.

  5. Robin Solis from synchronicity.co, December 12, 2014 at 7:02 p.m.

    Why not use examples b/c I found the definitions impossible to understand.

  6. Robin Solis from synchronicity.co, December 12, 2014 at 7:04 p.m.

    Do you mean one "sticks out" and one does not? I mean, C'mon!

Next story loading loading..