Obviously, the combination of dynamic motion and video appeals to online audiences. With the latest release of the Mixpo platform, we’ve added some features that allow advertisers to tap into this appeal and better achieve their branding goals.

The two features include:

• A new aspect ratio control in the Studio.
• Full-page takeover.

Aspect ratio control in the Studio

Aspect ratio refers to the width-to-height ratio of images and video content. TV spots typically have aspect ratios of either 4:3 or 16:9 (widescreen).

Until now, the Mixpo platform has not fully supported the 16:9 aspect ratio. The result? Black bars around 16:9 content in expanded Xspots.

With the new aspect ratio control, you can set an Xspot’s aspect ratio to match the aspect ratio of the uploaded video content. This means almost no black bars in widescreen content viewed in expanded formats, such as 560×300 and full-page takeover.

16:9 content expanded to 560x300 before the aspect ratio control

16:9 content expanded to 560x300 with aspect ratio set appropriately in Studio

Learn more about the new aspect ratio setting at Why do I have black bars around my Xspot content?

Full-page takeover

For some time, you’ve had the ability to set Xspots to expand from the regular 300×250 display ad size to 560×300. Now you have another expansion option: Full-page takeover.

When viewers move their mouse over or click an Xspot set for full-page takeover, the 300×250 ad expands to take over the entire browser window.

The full-page display adjusts automatically to the aspect ratio of the video content (provided you set the aspect ratio correctly in the Studio).

See full-page takeover in action for a 16:9 Xspot.

To learn more about full-page takeover, visit the Publish page, and then click How do I set an Xspot to expand?

Note: The image in the Xspot demonstrating full-page takeover came from an article called File: Aspect ratio 16 9 example.jpg on the website Wikimedia Commons.

So how do you get an Xspot to stand out? To reach through the clutter and motivate viewers to watch?

By actively choosing a compelling thumbnail image. That’s how.

What is a thumbnail image?

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of the thumbnail image.

Studies show that consumers spend considerably more time engaging with video ads than with display ads, and that higher exposure rates mean more conversions.

But, if consumers never start watching a video ad, none of that great engagement, exposure, or conversion can happen.

That’s where thumbnail images come in.

Typically, media companies do not allow video ads that run on their sites to play automatically when viewers land on the pages where the video ads are embedded. Instead, video ads play when viewers click or pause their cursors over them.

The thumbnail image is the image that viewers see in the video ad player before they take action with their cursors.

The thumbnail image, in other words, is all you’ve got to influence whether or not that cursor action ever gets taken.

Choosing thumbnail images in Mixpo version 3

If you don’t take action to set a thumbnail image, you get the default image.

To see an Xspot’s thumbnail image, make sure its play mode is set for click-to-play or mouseover-to-play, then preview it.

The image you see in the Player on the preview page before you click or pause your cursor over the Xspot is the thumbnail image.

In previous versions of the Mixpo platform, you had one option for replacing the default image with a more compelling one: upload the more compelling one. In version 3, you can still go that route.

In addition, you have another powerful option: You can examine each frame of each video clip included in an Xspot and choose the frame that tells the most compelling story.

Choose Thumbnail from Video window

In the Choose Thumbnail from Video window, you can extract any video frame and set it as the thumbnail image.

Find detailed instructions for choosing a thumbnail image, visit the Create page and then click Where can I get a good thumbnail image?

No doubt about it. Mixpo Version 3 represents a significant change from the previous version. But, you’re unlikely to find the transition particularly burdensome. Why?

First of all, rest assured. Live ads won’t be affected.

In addition, behind the scenes, you’ll experience:

• The same familiar settings organized better
• A redesigned product with a simpler workflow
• Easier creation in a refined Studio
• Great product support in case any questions or confusions arise.

Tip You might also want to visit the completely redesigned and reorganized Help Center.

Same settings organized better

You don’t lose anything in the new version. All of the settings you’re familiar with are still there. You just have a lot more control over which settings you see when.

For example, take a look at the redesigned Publishing page. The new page is made up of sections that collapse and expand.

Publishing page with most options collapsed

Each expanding section gathers a group of related settings together.

Choose Thumbnail and Customize Player section expanded

You see all related settings only after expanding an Advanced column on the right.

Advanced options expanded

Redesigned product with a simpler workflow

In the new version, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the publishing process, that is, the process of getting from a VideoAd you put together in the Studio to a live ad running on a website or ad server.

For example, on the Publishing page, we clearly distinguish the essential steps (labelled Steps 1, 2, and 3) from the optional steps.

Basic VideoAd information - the 1st essential step

After naming a VideoAd, you can easily preview the ad yourself and send a preview page link to the advertiser.

Preview - the 2nd essential step

With the ad approved, you’re ready to copy and embed the ad tag. You can easily customize the tag so it works on https pages, a variety of ad servers, and websites that use iframes.

Copy Ad Tag - the 3rd essential step

The optional steps are always there if you want to choose a thumbnail, customize the Player, share a VideoAd with other members of your team, and more.

Easier creation in a refined Studio

The Studio looks pretty the much the same as it always has but it works even better.

You’re familiar with overlays – text, image, and video objects that transform TV spots into interactive online VideoAds ready for the Web.

In Version 3, text overlays are a lot easier to manage.

For example, you can quickly edit text for all overlays in one convenient list.

Edit overlay text in one place

And, you can control the appearance and behavior of all overlays on one handy Set Styles page.

Set all overlay styles on one page

Take the Version 3 plunge

This post just scratches the surface of the new Mixpo release but stay tuned. In this blog, over the next few weeks, I’ll go deeper and cover many useful new features and refinements in more detail.

(Want to start exploring new features on your own? Visit the Create page, and then click Where can I get a good thumbnail image?. Or, visit the Publish page, and then click What version of the ad tag do I need?)

As you begin working with the Version 3, we’d love to get your feedback.

Questions or concerns? Contact support.