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An Example of a Perfectly Executed Pre-Roll Video Ad

  |  1 year ago   |  
An Example of a Perfectly Executed Pre Roll Video Ad

Most pre-roll advertisements seem to be web counterparts of ads that are made for TV or are so generic they fail to grab my attention. Some of those ads may work for TV, but not for the web. Like most online viewers, my finger hovers over the "skip this ad" button, ready to instantly click as soon as it's enabled.

However, the pre-roll ad for Madagascar 3 does it differently. So much so that not only did I watch and enjoy the ad, but I even feel compelled to share it here! This is easily the best pre-rol I've seen on YouTube.

SEE ALSO: Solve Media Solves Pre-Roll Video Ad 'Zone Out' Problem?

Madagascar 3 has 5 seconds before people click "skip" and in that short amount of time they:

  1. Addressed the audience
  2. Asked a question
  3. Showed 7 fast-paced cuts

About 15 seconds later they address the audience again with some humor and a very clear call-to-action. And, although the video is 90 seconds long, the actual ad ends before 30 seconds, the point at which the advertiser would have to pay for a view. This lets them get in their entire message all before they have to fork over any cash to Google. Great pre-roll and smart ad execution.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO_YWud1_CE" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO_YWud1_CE']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="An Example of a Perfectly Executed Pre Roll Video Ad" title="0"/></a>

Any other solid pre-roll ads you've seen on YouTube?

Posted in Video Advertising
2013 Video Marketing Summit
About the Author -
Tim Schmoyer is the host of ReelSEO's Creator's Tip. He's also the Creative Strategist at Epipheo Studios (http://www.epipheo.com/). You can see some of his personal videos on his Family Vlog Channel and his Video Creators Channel. View All Posts By -

What do you think? ▼
  • ChrisAbbott

    Thats cool.... :)))))

  • damianhoskin

    What a great preroll video concept.The change of pace is what got me. It's  a shame it isn't mobile phone optimized. I just happened to watch this video on a PC, I usually watch the majority of videos from my phone. Their use of clickable links within a preroll is VERY smart.

  • RichieDood

    wow after clicking "start now" the YouTube page has an amazing take over game also! 
    http://www.youtube.com/user/madagascar3movie?annotation_id=annotation_671428&src_vid=WO_YWud1_CE&feature=iv

  • http://www.bridgehands.com moonlitnite

    Awesome - very provocative!  Here's a few tweaks I'd add to your list:
     
    -      Personally address the audience – talk *TO* them, not at them!
    -      Make it fun and exciting, complete with spectacle.
    -      Keep the action moving quickly.
    -      Exception - your hook is REALLY sexy where anticipation is helpful.
    -      Never forget your ultimate goal – a CLEAR, CONCISE, EASY call to action.
     
    Happy Trails,   Michae

  • http://www.thinkbigonline.com.au/ AlisaT

    The 7 fast-paced cuts at the beginning really do divert your attention from the skip button! Good stuff.

  • ChrisAbbott

    Thats cool.... :)))))

  • damianhoskin

    What a great preroll video concept.The change of pace is what got me. It's  a shame it isn't mobile phone optimized. I just happened to watch this video on a PC, I usually watch the majority of videos from my phone. Their use of clickable links within a preroll is VERY smart.

  • RichieDood

    wow after clicking "start now" the YouTube page has an amazing take over game also! 
    http://www.youtube.com/user/madagascar3movie?annotation_id=annotation_671428&src_vid=WO_YWud1_CE&feature=iv

  • http://www.bridgehands.com moonlitnite

    Awesome - very provocative!  Here's a few tweaks I'd add to your list:
     
    -      Personally address the audience – talk *TO* them, not at them!
    -      Make it fun and exciting, complete with spectacle.
    -      Keep the action moving quickly.
    -      Exception - your hook is REALLY sexy where anticipation is helpful.
    -      Never forget your ultimate goal – a CLEAR, CONCISE, EASY call to action.
     
    Happy Trails,   Michae

  • http://www.thinkbigonline.com.au/ AlisaT

    The 7 fast-paced cuts at the beginning really do divert your attention from the skip button! Good stuff.

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