There are different lengths that are available for both TV as well as web placements.
Broadband sites typically prefer shorter formats but can go up to 30sec. Youtube and other non-paid formats are completely open to any length and allow even a 10min video to work. Often, creative considerations, not media purchasing power, become paramount in deciding how long a video should be.
On TV, the 30sec format is the norm, however 45 or 60sec formats are used as well as 15 sec. As GRPs are mathematically transformed longer formats can limit your reach. A weekly GRP of 75 for a 30sec translates to about 45 weekly GRP for a 45sec.
The case for longer format stories
- I have seen studies that see higher involvement scores for longer format ads. Longer ads tend to do better because they have more time and therefore have more to become involved in. Theoretically the same ad tested in a 45 second format and a 30 second format would score the same on Enjoyment, Branding and Ease of Understanding but the 45 second version would get higher Involvement. Also from an editing perspective, you don't have to cut every millisecond to cram the essentials of the story. A 45 or a 60 allows for more storytelling, more drama, better comprehension and increase product presence. However, if nothing compelling is provided with the extra seconds than it could diminish the end results.
- If an ad is on air longer, people should be more likely to notice it
- A longer ad has more time to integrate the brand into the story in a memorable way
- Longer ads communicate multiple messages more successfully than shorter ads
- Longer ads can support more complex situations, potentially improving involvement
The risks for longer format stories
- For weaker ads, extra length runs the risk of including more aspects to dislike
- Longer ads are generally a little more difficult to understand
- it is often tempting to develop more complex situations, which in weaker ads lack clarity
The case for :15, :10 or :5sec format stories
- :15s are roughly 80% as effective as :30s in generating attention
- :5s - You can now buy 5 second ads. This might be installed to counter the TIVO effect. It is difficult to fast forward that accurately to avoid seeing the 5 sec ad.
The risks of shorter format stories
- creatively it is a lot more challenging to portray a typical 3-act story with a beginning, drama development and conclusion in 15sec. It can only hit one point and does not allow for much story telling. So a major limitation is what is possible creatively. Very often, a 30sec is already very short and wonders are done in the editing room
Recent Comments