Add video assets and set up serving files

To add assets for your in-stream video creative, upload video files to Campaign Manager 360 or add URLs that point to publisher-hosted videos.

You can prevent setting up duplicate creatives per placement by using In-stream video settings at the placement level to control companions creatives, skip button enablement, and transcode settings.

• Step 1. Create an in-stream video creative
• Step 2. Add video assets
• Step 3. Edit video settings
• Step 4. Preview your video
• Next steps
• FAQs

Step 1: Create an in-stream video creative

To get started, create a new in-stream video creative in your campaign or advertiser-level "Creatives" tab.

1. Open your campaign or advertiser.
2. Click New > In-stream video.
3. Name your creative in the Creative name field. Or leave it blank, and Campaign Manager 360 will name your creative based on the video file you upload.

Optional

• Universal Ad ID: Include a registered industry-wide identifier for your video creative that will be included in VAST tags. You can add IDs from Ad-ID, Clearcast, another provider, or use a Campaign Manager 360-generated ID. In VAST 2.0 and 3.0 tags, this ID will appear in the <adID> node, as well as in the extensions node for VAST 2.0 tags. In VAST 4.0 tags, this ID will appear in the <UniversalAdID> node. 
• Description: Enter any notes you have on your creative.

About default video ads

Is this the first video creative in your campaign?

• If your campaign includes in-stream video placements, Campaign Manager 360 will automatically create a default ad for your first video creative in each available orientation and assign it to all your in-stream placements. For example, if the first video creative you make for a campaign has both portrait and landscape assets, you’ll get a portrait default ad and a landscape default ad. If the first video creative you make for a campaign is a square asset, you’ll get a portrait default ad and a landscape default ad.
• The default ad has no targeting and will serve if no other ads on your placement are available. Learn more when you set up ads and placements for in-stream videos.

You can also use batch upload (New > Batch upload) to upload multiple videos at once. You will need to add companion creatives or publisher-hosted URLs separately.

Step 2: Add video assets

Follow the steps below to traffic a creative with a single video asset. If you have multiple assets with the same creative message that you’d like to traffic as one in-stream video creative, use dynamic asset selection.

1. Under Creative assets in your in-stream video creative, click Add asset and select your video file.
   • The maximum size allowed is 1 GB.

   • Always upload a source file with the highest possible specifications you have available so that Campaign Manager 360 can transcode the asset into as many serving files as possible. We recommend you use a high-definition video that meets the following requirements:

     Video:

     • Supported file formats: .avi, .mov, .mp4, .m4v, .mpeg, .mpg, .webm, .wmv
     • Dimensions:
       • Landscape/horizontal: 1280 × 720, 1920 × 1080, or 1440 × 1080
       • Portrait/vertical: 720 × 1280, 1080 × 1920, or 1080 × 1440 
       • Square: 720 × 720, 1080 × 1080, 1920 × 1920
     • Aspect ratio:
       • Landscape/horizontal: 16:9 or 4:3
       • Portrait/vertical: 9:16 or 3:4
     • Codec: H.264
     • Frame Rate: 23.98 or 29.97
     • Bitrate: At least 20 Mbps
     • Length: 15 or 30 seconds
     • File size: Up to 1GB
     • Black bars: No black bars
     • Letterboxing: No letterboxing

     Audio:

     • Codec: PCM (preferred) or AAC
     • Bitrate: At least 192 Kbps
     • Bit: 16 or 24 bit only
     • Sample rate: 48 kHz
     • Audio settings: Required
     • Loudness aligned with IAB US spec of -24LKFS +/- 2LKFS (Campaign Manager 360 will normalize to target loudness of -24 LKFS)
   • If you do not have video assets and will only use a URL for a publisher-hosted video, skip to the end of these steps below.
   • In VAST 4.0 tags, your uploaded source asset will be included as the mezzanine file. 
   • For videos serving on connected TV devices, we recommend 1920 × 1080 as the creative's dimensions. 
2. Save your creative so that Campaign Manager 360 can process your asset. Campaign Manager 360 will not begin processing it until you save.
3. Wait for Campaign Manager 360 to process your asset. Campaign Manager 360 will now detect whether your uploaded video asset satisfies the video requirements for the key publishers in the specification (spec) library, validate the asset, and transcode it into a set of serving files. If you want, you can leave the page and work on other things while you wait. Nothing you do will interrupt the processing.
   • You can continue when the "Progress" column shows that transcoding is complete for the serving files you need.
   • If you have issues, see the FAQ below.
4. The uploaded video asset will be checked to ensure it meets the publishers spec requirements for fields such as:  
   • Frame rate
   • Aspect ratio
   • Kbps bounds
   • File type 
   • Required transcodes
   • Loudness
     
     View the status of your asset in the Publisher eligibility tab in your In-stream video settings.
     If your campaign is associated with a spec library publisher, Campaign Manager 360 will automatically toggle the site and placement transcodes to match said publisher’s required transcodes. If desired, this can be changed at the site or placement level under “In-Stream Video Settings”. If your campaign sites are associated with DV360 or The Trade Desk, you will also have the option of selecting the transcode requirements underneath your placement's settings for any of our supported publishers.
5. Choose which serving files to include with your video. Make this choice in the Serving files section: select ON under Include in serving to include a file.

6. Add additional assets if needed. Campaign Manager 360 will use all of the assets you add to generate serving files.

   Notes on duration in your files:

   • If you add more assets, make sure they are all about the same duration. No asset you add can be more than a second longer or shorter than the others. In other words, if the duration varies, it must vary by less than a second.
   • Campaign Manager 360 rounds duration up to the nearest second in the UI and your VAST tags. For example, if you upload a video asset of 15.7 seconds, Campaign Manager 360 will round that up to 16 seconds in the UI and in your VAST tags.
   • When you sync creatives over from Campaign Manager 360 to Display & Video 360, Display & Video 360 checks the actual files for the duration. Display & Video 360 does not use the rounded-up number in the Campaign Manager 360 UI or your VAST tags. For example, if you upload a video asset of 15.7 seconds to Campaign Manager 360 and then import it into Display & Video 360, the duration in Display & Video 360 will be 15.7 seconds.

Add URLs for publisher-hosted videos (optional)

If your account is enabled for publisher-hosted videos, you can also add URLs for this type of asset in the "Publisher-hosted videos" section of your video properties. Talk to your account manager if you need to be enabled for publisher-hosted URLs.

Use the special YouTube steps below for any YouTube URLs you want to add. You can use YouTube URLs if you want to run ads on YouTube mobile inventory or other sites that support the IMA SDK.

Add regular publisher-hosted URLs

1. Click Add URL and enter the full URL of your publisher-hosted video.

2. Check the columns next to your URL for duration, width, height, etc. You may need to edit or confirm this information. It depends on the number of assets in your video.

   Does your video have multiple assets?

   • No. My video has only one URL and no other assets. If your video has no other URLs or serving files, these columns are for informational purposes only.

   • Yes. My video has multiple URLs or serving files. It's important that you enter the exact width, height, and bit rate for each publisher-hosted video. Campaign Manager 360 does not validate this information, so you should verify it with your creative team.

     Here's why the information should be correct: The publisher's system will use dimensions and bit rate to decide which serving file is best for each particular impression—based on factors like internet connection speed and the site video player. Enter correct information to ensure the publisher chooses the right serving file.

   Note that for the first URL you add, Campaign Manager 360 enters sample values for width, height, and bit rate. These are not based on your video, so you should replace them with correct information if your video has multiple assets.

Add YouTube URLs

Before you get started, make sure you meet these requirements:

• Account settings: Make sure your account is enabled for publisher-hosted videos. Open any in-stream video creative in Campaign Manager 360 and check for a "Publisher-hosted URLs" section. If you don't see this section, talk to your account manager.

• Publisher support: If you plan to use YouTube URLs outside YouTube.com, make sure the publisher uses IMA SDK and supports YouTube URLs in a VAST tag. YouTube URLs will only work on sites that use the IMA SDK (such as YouTube.com).

Steps

1. Get your YouTube URL ready. Use standard form and use SSL (https://). For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABC1234de567f

   Do not use abbreviations (such as youtu.be).

2. Open your in-stream video in Campaign Manager 360 and add your URL to the "Publisher-hosted videos" section (click Add URL).

3. Enter the duration, width, height, and bit rate of your video. Note that Campaign Manager 360 shows sample values in each of these columns. You can remove these and enter the correct values. They are not based on your YouTube URL.

4. Set the file type to MP4 in the "File type" column.

When you're done, your YouTube URL should look like this:

URL	Preview	Include in serving	Duration	File type	Width	Height	Bit rate	Delivery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABC1234de567f		Yes	15	MP4	640	480	400	Progressive

Step 3: Edit video settings

Edit "Video settings" for your video if needed. These settings are only for VAST 3.0 and VAST 4.0 compliant publishers with skippable inventory:

• Skip button: Check the Include skip button box to insert additional skip tracking into the tags for your creative if you're using a skip button in the video. Skip buttons are overlays on your video that users can click to skip your ad content. It will only display for videos that are longer than 7 seconds. The publisher's video player is responsible for overlaying the button. You can also choose the following skip settings:
  • Skip offset: The amount of time to play the video before the skip button appears. Select and enter either a specific number of seconds or a percentage of the total video duration. This value is only used when "Include skip button" is enabled.
  • Progress offset: The amount of time before a video view will be charged, based on your agreement with the publisher. Select and either use the default value of 30 seconds, enter a specific number of seconds, or enter a percentage of the total video duration.

• OBA icon: If you're participating in an OBA (Online Behavioral Advertising) self-regulatory program, check this box to include the OBA icon, also known as the Advertising Option Icon. Please note that whether or not the OBA icon serves is dependent on the publisher’s video player.

  • Resource: Enter a link to the OBA icon file. Campaign Manager 360 only supports image and JavaScript icons. 
  • Program: Enter the name of the industry initiative that the icon supports, such as AdChoices.
  • Size: Enter the dimensions of the icon in pixels. 
  • Position: Use the drop-down to select where to position the icon over the creative. If you need to set a custom position, select "X, Y coordinates", and enter the precise X and Y pixel values to position the icon. 
  • Clickthrough URL: Enter the URL for your OBA program's informational page.
  • Click tracking URL: Enter a click tracker tag URL to record clicks to your OBA icon.
  • View tracking URL: Enter an impression pixel URL to record views of your OBA icon.

Edit QR code tracking settings (optional)

Advertisers uploading video assets that include QR code images can streamline campaign setup for their QR code video assets.

To enable QR code tracking set Enable QR tracking to On. A site, click tracker placement, and click tracker ad will automatically be generated in the same campaign, which represents the QR code. Campaign Manager 360 generates a new click tracker Ad and Creative for every instance. 

Associate your QR code asset with the click tracker URL on your third-party creative platform to complete the setup.

Switching this setting to Off will unassign and archive the auto-generated ad. 

Adding a QR code in video Creative settings within the Creative Library is not supported. You can only perform this action at the campaign level, for one campaign at a time. 

Campaign Manager 360 generates a new click tracker Ad and Creative for every instance. Assigning the video creative with a QR code to a different campaign will cause any QR code scans to be attributed to the incorrect placement of the Campaign.

Step 4: Preview your video

1. Click the preview button at the top of your creative properties. The Campaign Manager 360 video player selects a compatible serving file and displays your video. You can check events and try out different resolutions and dimensions.
2. To preview a specific serving file, click the preview button next to it in the Serving files section. You can cycle through every serving file in this window, but you can't check events or try different properties.
3. If you want to preview a specific serving file in the main preview (i.e., check events, try different properties, etc.), here are your steps: First, set the serving file to ON under Include in serving in your creative properties. Next, set every other serving file to OFF. This way, you can be sure the Campaign Manager 360 video player uses that specific serving file. Finally, click the preview button at the top of your creative properties.

For more details, see our guide to creative preview.

Next steps

Save your creative. After you finish uploading your assets, set up companion creatives, third-party URLs, assign ads and placements, and test your tags.

FAQs

Which serving files should I include with my creative?

You can choose to include any or all of them. If you include multiple serving files and/or URLs, the publisher's system can choose the best version of your asset for each impression, based on factors such as device type, connection speed, and the video player on the site. Including multiple serving files can also allow users to select different resolution settings when viewing your video.

You should also check with your publisher to make sure you include the right serving files. Some publishers will not accept pre-fetch tags with transcodes they don’t support, so you’ll need to disable those transcodes.

How will I know when transcoding is complete?

The creative pane will update as soon as Campaign Manager finishes validating and transcoding your asset into serving files. This should only take a few minutes. If it takes more than an hour, try uploading your asset again. You may need to contact support.

Why does Campaign Manager 360 validate and transcode my asset?

When you upload a file, Campaign Manager 360 processes it in two ways:

• Campaign Manager 360 validates the asset to make sure it works, and may generate a more efficient version.
• Campaign Manager 360 transcodes the asset into a number of alternative versions that use different formats or have different properties, each designed for specific players or bandwidths. These versions give your publisher's system more options to choose from for each impression and ensures that the appropriate file serves based on the viewer’s connection and screen size.

You can find all these files in the Serving files section.

Why is my creative non-compliant?

Your creative may be flagged as non-compliant because:

• Third-party URLs aren't secure.
• A companion creative includes URLs that aren't secure.

Solution: Check for any URLs that begin with http. Ask your developer or vendor for a secure version of these URLs. Remember that the secure URL may be totally different; often you can't just add an 's' to http. Remember that landing pages do not affect compliance and can start with http.

Learn more about SSL compliance.

Progress is "Failed" or "N/A" for a serving file

Failed

If Campaign Manager 360 can't process an asset or generate a particular kind of serving file, you'll see "Failed" in the Progress column.

• Failure to process an original file means Campaign Manager 360 could not validate or finish preparing the file. There may be an issue with the asset, so make sure you have a valid file and try uploading again.

• Failure for any other serving file means Campaign Manager 360 could not transcode your original asset into that particular version. If you want this alternative version to be available when your creative serves, transcode it yourself and upload the version manually (click Add asset above).

N/A

"N/A" in the Progress column means the resolution for this row is too high. The file you uploaded is already at its highest resolution, and cannot be transcoded into versions with a higher resolution. If you need a serving file at this resolution, you'll need to get it from your developer.

What formats does Campaign Manager 360 transcode my file into?

Google Marketing Platform uses Video Ad Serving Template (VAST) specifications to format video creatives.

Note: Google Marketing Platform will transcode video assets to into files with the same aspect ratios/orientation and at a lower specification. For example, if you upload a horizontal source file with a 4:3 aspect ratio, Campaign Manager 360 will transcode the file into horizontal sizes with lower specifications that also have a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Horizontal transcodes 

File type	Resolution	Video bit rate (kbps)	Audio bit rate (kbps)
3GPP	176 × 144	56	24
3GPP	320 × 240	192	32
MP4	480 × 270	400	64
MP4	640 × 360	400	96
MP4	640 × 360	1000	64
MP4	640 × 360	1500	128
MP4	640 × 480	400	96
MP4	720 × 600	720	96
MP4	854 × 480	720	128
MP4	960 × 540	1250	192
MP4	1024 × 576	1500	96
MP4	1280 × 720	2000	128
MP4	1920 × 1080	4000	128
MP4	Matches source video	20000	192
M3U8	Varies with connection speed	Varies with connection speed	Varies with connection speed

Vertical transcodes 

File type	Resolution	Video bit rate (kbps)	Audio bit rate (kbps)
3GPP	144 × 176	56	24
3GPP	240 × 320	192	32
MP4	270 × 480	400	64
MP4	360 × 640	400	96
MP4	360 × 640	1000	64
MP4	360 × 640	1500	128
MP4	480 × 640	400	96
MP4	600 × 720	720	96
MP4	480 × 854	720	128
MP4	540 × 960	1250	192
MP4	576 × 1024	1500	96
MP4	720 × 1280	2000	128
MP4	1080 × 1920	4000	128
MP4	Matches source video	20000	192
M3U8	Varies with connection speed	Varies with connection speed	Varies with connection speed

Square transcodes 

File type	Resolution	Video bit rate (kbps)	Audio bit rate (kbps)
3GPP	176 × 176	42	24
3GPP	240 × 240	144	32
MP4	480 × 480	383	64
MP4	640 × 640	386	96
MP4	640 × 640	619	96
MP4	640 × 640	948	64
MP4	640 × 640	1459	128
MP4	720 × 720	695	96
MP4	854 × 854	1170	128
MP4	960 × 960	1250	192
MP4	1024 × 1024	1470	96
MP4	1080 × 1080	3076	128
MP4	1080 × 1080	19299	128
MP4	1920 × 1920	4096	128
M3U8	Varies with connection speed	Varies with connection speed	Varies with connection speed

What is the M3U8 format?

M3U8 offers the publisher a range of resolution and bit rate options for each chunk of data in the video. This way, the publisher's system can adjust resolution and bit rate based on the user's internet connection speed.

If the user's connection slows down while the video is playing, the publisher's system can load the next chunk of the video at a lower bit rate and resolution. Likewise, if the connection speeds up, the publisher can load a higher-quality chunk of video.

How do I adjust placements to meet a publisher's specifications?

To adjust an existing placement to meet a publisher’s specifications (even if it is not trafficked under an publisher-specific site):

1. Open the placement settings.
2. Expand Video Transcode Settings.
3. Turn on Control transcodes from the placement.
4. Select the publisher from the dropdown.
5. Click Save.

How can I turn transcodes on and off?

You can turn transcodes on and off by:

1. Opening your creative and scrolling down to the Creative assets > Serving files section.
2. Toggle each transcode ON or OFF under Include in serving.

How can I add additional transcodes?

If Campaign Manager 360 does not generate a file format you need, you’ll have to transcode your asset into the format yourself. You can then add the transcode by uploading it as a source file in your creative by clicking Add asset under Creative assets > Assets. 

Can I make changes to transcodes if a publisher profile is applied to my placements?

Yes, you can still customize or manually set transcodes on an individual site or placement.  The Included transcodes dropdown selection will be updated to “None Selected”.

What if my asset fails Publisher eligibility?

If the uploaded video asset does not meet a spec library publisher’s requirements, this will be noted under Publisher Eligibility in the creative settings. If a creative does not match a spec library publisher’s requirements but is assigned to the publisher’s campaign anyway, Campaign Manager 360 will display an alert under the Campaign Explorer view. 

Which publishers make up the spec library?

• Hulu
• NBC
• CBS
• VEVO
• Discovery Inc.
• Turner Broadcasting
• Disney
• FOX
• Twitch
• Univision
• ABC
• The CW Network
• NFL Enterprises LLC - NFL.com (uses IAB spec)
• Hearst Corporation
• MLB.com

Is there an alternative to using creative URLs?

Yes. Use Media Asset ID <mediafile> in your VAST tags to identify media assets in your own platforms. Media Asset IDs provide static, unique identifiers within video VAST tag <mediafile> nodes for each individual transcode.

Is the WebM format supported?

You can upload video source files that use the WebM format, but as of January 2022, Campaign Manager 360 no longer transcodes videos into the WebM format because most publishers don't support it.