There has never been a better time to explore solutions for cross-platform measurement. New technological advancements have been embraced by content consumers -- and now, in 2014, we mark the first
year that we’re testing cross-platform unduplicated reach and frequency measurement solutions. We are not at the currency stage yet, but we are certainly taking the first steps.
Credit for these advancements goes to measurement companies such as comScore and Nielsen, efforts from networks like ESPN, NBCU and Turner, and the industrywide effort of The
Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM), which has focused on this issue since its inception in 2009.
CIMM’s Managing Director Jane Clarke notes, “The
progress toward an open standard of cross-platform measurement made in 2014 is truly encouraging. It’s wonderful to see the industry testing, enhancing and ultimately embracing these
initiatives, and that CIMM’s mandate of cultivating projects that advance the discussion around these technologies has been fruitful thus far.”
I moderated a
panel at the recent CIMM Cross-Platform Media Measurement Summit that explored four cross-platform measurement solutions:
-- CIMM and ESPN’s work with comScore’s
Project Blueprint, which brings five separate data sources together to measure simultaneous usage and de-duped reach for video, audio and text. Phase 1 was pioneered by partner ESPN and phase 2 in
partnership with CIMM. The next step is to expand Blueprint from custom study to a standard practice.
-- NBCU’s single-source approach for measuring the recent
Olympics at Sochi with a "Day in the Life" for three target segments: Millennials, women and Alphaboomers.
-- CNN’s All Screen study uses custom data integration
linking Nielsen cross-platform data and internal digital data.
-- Nielsen’s roadmap for cross-platform ratings that addresses the what, why, and how of extending its
Ratings service to measure across platforms.
These four solutions all approach cross-platform measurement from different angles, using different methodologies and data
sources. And yet each approach offers a unique and illuminating way to combine data across platforms. A chart comparing all these solutions can be found on the CIMM
website.
Some, such as Project Blueprint, are poised for a fuller industry rollout. Blueprint sponsor Artie Bulgrin of ESPN says, “We have a working measurement
system that now needs to be vetted and tested by the industry, first by CIMM members as part of the phase two test. Blueprint will evolve further and ultimately the MRC will review. Right now
the first priority is establishing industry consensus.”
Other solutions like NBCU’s "Day In the Life" approach may not be easily scalable, but do offer an
ethnographic look at viewer behavior. Others, using Nielsen’s ratings, can help companies track back to industry-standard metrics. Such is CNN All Screen. Turner’s Howard Shimmel
anticipates that “Nielsen offers a syndicated service that combines TV in-home and out-of-home data, so the data gets absorbed into agency buying and planning tools.”
Nielsen
has its own set of priorities, according to Kelly Abcarian. "Right now our key areas of focus are on supporting all the clients implementing the Nielsen SDK with their video players to enable
cross-platform GRPs, and engaging the MRC on key accreditation efforts for these important expansions of our already accredited solutions," she says.
What are the next steps
that need to be taken for cross-platform measurement, taking into account ingrained industry challenges? “My dream would be for all relevant parties to meet with CIMM to identify the best
solution for the industry. No one provider can solve what the market needs, and it will only be through cooperation of various providers," says Shimmel, adding, “The biggest challenge is
companies who believe they can provide an integrated solution themselves.”
What the CIMM initiative proves is that when the industry shares knowledge and works
collaboratively, it is possible to find several excellent solutions to challenging problems.