Nielsen, Adobe Partnership Supports Cross-Platform Measurement Across Web, Apps

Adobe and Nielsen Tuesday announced a strategic partnership to build and support a cross-platform system for measuring online TV, video and other digital content across the Web and apps.

The collaboration integrates Nielsen's digital audience measurement products with Adobe Analytics and Adobe Primetime, digital analytics and online TV delivery platforms. The companies will jointly market Nielsen's Digital Content Ratings, powered by Adobe, which will deliver attribution, analytics and currency-grade content metrics allowing media buyers to make smarter purchases.

"As consumers expand their video consumption across screens, the media industry needs stronger digital and cross-platform measurement to accurately track consumers and better monetize cross-screen audiences," stated Howard Shimmel, chief research officer at Turner Broadcasting.

Online video and TV viewing consumption on a variety of devices continues to rise. The number of online TV videos watched per visitor each month in Q2 2014 rose 54.8% across all device types, per Adobe's U.S. Digital Video Benchmark report released Monday. The number of online videos watched in Q2 2014 rose 43% to 38.2 billion. More consumers are watching video on smartphones vs. tablets.

Brad Rencher, senior vice president and general manager, digital marketing at Adobe, believes the two companies can standardize audience measurement for digital content. The partnership aims to provide analytics tied with ratings benefiting advertisers, media companies, and consumers.

Media companies and advertisers will have access to the Nielsen Digital Content Ratings, powered by Adobe, beginning 2015. ESPN, IPG Mediabrands, Sony Pictures Television, Starcom MediaVest Group, Turner Broadcasting, Univision Communications Inc., Viacom and others will be part of the rollout of the new ratings system.

The share of video starts on a variety of devices continues to rise. Smartphone video viewing has surpassed tablet video viewing. Video viewing on smartphones rose 59% in Q2 2014 compared with the year-ago quarter, while tablet share growth has slowed -- up 29% YOY, compared with 42% in the previous quarter. Gaming consoles video viewing rose 127% in the quarter compared with the year-ago quarter.

Viewers watched 2.08 ads per video start in Q2 2014, up 25.8% compared with the year-ago quarter. For example, the ratio of ad starts per video start was 66.0% higher in sports content vs. non sports content in Q2 2014.

7 comments about "Nielsen, Adobe Partnership Supports Cross-Platform Measurement Across Web, Apps".
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  1. Nicholas Schiavone from Nicholas P. Schiavone, LLC, October 21, 2014 at 6:33 p.m.

    It is unfortunate that Nielsen seems to have turned to science fiction to set its business priorities: I believe it was Doctor Who that advised: "First things first, but not necessarily in that order." It would be better for Nielsen's current clients, if Nielsen fixed its principal television and cross-platform measurements, instead of distracting attention from its recent methodological fiascos by promoting a partnership with Adobe. (One hopes Adobe has not entered into a parasitic business relationship. I would hate to see my Adobe Reader or Flash Player fail as a result of this "strategic" deal.) Isn't it the least bit curious that the only "media" expert quoted by MediaPost is a former Nielsen VP of Media and Advertising Analytics whose areas of focus included fusion, program promotion, optimization and measurement, and cross-platform usage behavior. Howard is probably a good man, even if he did go to work for Jeff Zucker's company. But this Nielsen "stunt" needs to be explained by Nielsen's inscrutable CEO, Mitch Barns, who has yet to explain why Nielsen can't get its Network TV Ratings right in 2014. Well, good luck with "the rollout of the new ratings system" in 2015 - enabled by Adobe. And what about Nielsen OCR? How is that going? Why does Nielsen need Adobe, if Nielsen OCR works so well. Or does it? “Enquiring Minds Want To Know.”

  2. John Grono from GAP Research, October 21, 2014 at 7:48 p.m.

    OCR is for tagged ads, not tagged programme content.

  3. Nicholas Schiavone from Nicholas P. Schiavone, LLC, October 22, 2014 at 12:58 a.m.

    That's fascinating!
    "Kangaroos did not always hop, Brown University research claims."
    Did you know that too?

  4. John Grono from GAP Research, October 22, 2014 at 1:51 a.m.

    Of course - it received wide coverage here. They also box ... and street fight.

  5. Nicholas Schiavone from Nicholas P. Schiavone, LLC, October 22, 2014 at 5:36 p.m.

    Let's get serious, John:
    It is unfortunate that Nielsen seems to have turned to science fiction to set its business priorities. I believe it was Doctor Who that advised: "First things first, but not necessarily in that order."
    It would be better for Nielsen's current clients, if Nielsen fixed its principal television and cross-platform measurements, instead of distracting attention from its recent methodological fiascos by promoting a partnership with Adobe. (One hopes Adobe has not entered into a parasitic business relationship.
    I would hate to see my Adobe Reader or Flash Player fail as a result of this "strategic" deal.) Isn't it the least bit curious that the only "media" expert quoted by the distinguished MediaPost Publications is a former Nielsen VP of Media and Advertising Analytics whose areas of focus included fusion, program promotion, optimization and measurement, and cross-platform usage behavior. Howard is probably a good man, even if he did go to work for Jeff Zucker's company.
    That nonsense aside, this Nielsen "stunt" needs to be explained
    by Nielsen's inscrutable CEO, Mitch Barns, who has yet to explain why Nielsen can't get its Network TV Ratings right in 2014. Well, good luck with "the rollout of the new ratings system" in 2015 - "Powered by Adobe."
    And what about Nielsen OCR? How is that going? I understand the difference between digital content and campaign measurment. But why does Nielsen need Adobe, if Nielsen OCR works so well. Or does it? “Enquiring Minds Want To Know.”

  6. John Grono from GAP Research, October 22, 2014 at 6:35 p.m.

    Dear Nicholas. I thank you for your opinion and input.

  7. Nicholas Schiavone from Nicholas P. Schiavone, LLC, October 22, 2014 at 7:12 p.m.

    Dear John, You are most welcome. And I respect yours.

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