AdMob announces the launch of its new Interactive Video Ad Unit for iPhone, enabling consumers to browse Web sites, view additional videos, and more while the video is playing. The first ads will start running this week in select applications across AdMob’s iPhone ad network that reached more than 20 million unique iPhones and iPod touch devices worldwide in 2009.
“AdMob’s new Interactive Video Ad Unit brings together consumers’ love of watching videos on their mobile device with advertisers’ goal of providing an interactive, social experience for consumers,” said Omar Hamoui, Founder and CEO, AdMob. “We are excited to create new ways for advertisers to engage with consumers on their mobile devices and for the developers behind the most popular and engaging iPhone applications to effectively monetize.”
The Interactive Video Ad Unit will be sold primarily as an interstitial that will automatically play as an application loads. This auto-play implementation delivers a captive, engaged audience similar to video interstitials on the traditional PC web. It will also be available through a banner ad unit where consumers will click to play the video. The ad unit features customizable interactivity buttons within the video player, putting users a touch away from deeper brand engagement with an advertiser as they experience branded video content.
