• by Felicia Greiff , April 4, 2016

Flashtalking, an ad server and dynamic creative solution provider, announced a contest looking for video concepts fusing data and creative.

The "Dynamic Video Contest,” the first of its kind, is open to anyone with a strong understanding of how to use data for creative purposes, according to its site. The prize is a trip to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, with airfare, hotel booking and a conference pass included.

The contest was developed as a way to illustrate new features for Flashtalking's Dynamic Video, a video creative that customizes according to audience segments, said Justin Rath, national director-technology innovations and video, Flashtalking, in an email. 

What's new to the product? It now includes a dynamic video overlay function and an encoder that processes bulk videos in a fraction of the time video production usually takes, which is important if video ads are going be personalized, Rath said. 

"We want to peacefully disrupt the creative process," Rath said when asked about the goal of the contest, adding, "We know that data can actually bring even more humanity, personalization and impact to advertising."

Submissions should feature a 30-second animatic using rights-cleared personal or stock imagery, illustrations or video (see the example above) as well as an explanation of the concept strategy and personalization. Participants can choose to name a brand or opt for a more general title (i.e. "An Auto Brand"). The person who wins the contest, Rath said, will need to understand how to create messages that break through with impact but also take advantage of the personalization and relevance afforded by data. 

The contest winner will be announced during Internet Week (May 16-22), and submissions are open now through May 6. 

Flashtalking acquired Encore Media Metrics in January and German ad-tech company Device[9] last September.