Imagine Communications has introduced new features and enhancements to its xG Linear ad management platform, targeting Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) in North America. The updated platform aims to streamline ad placement processes and optimize inventory usage, significantly boosting profitability for media organizations.
A standout addition is the xG PlacerPlus feature, which promises to cut ad placement times by up to 90%. Available immediately with xG Linear version 2.6, this feature helps media companies maximize revenue by efficiently managing ad placements. The new placer can automatically prioritize high-value ads, ensuring they occupy premium inventory slots, while reallocating lower-cost ads to other available spaces.
xG Linear is designed as an enterprise-level solution, offering robust ad placement tools, copy management, schedule optimization, and real-time visibility. It can be deployed either on-premises or as a cloud-hosted platform, providing flexibility and scalability to accommodate the needs of growing sales operations. The platform’s open APIs facilitate seamless integration with leading ad tech partners, and it can scale up to 10,000 headends, making it suitable for complex and high-volume operations.
The xG PlacerPlus feature is particularly beneficial in enhancing revenue generation. It allows media companies to utilize their inventory more effectively and optimize the distribution of ad units. Advanced functionalities include automated vertical and horizontal spot movement, enhanced orbit placement logic, and the ability to rank ad units based on cost-per-second rather than rate, providing a more strategic approach to ad placement.
In addition to revenue benefits, xG PlacerPlus significantly improves workflow efficiency. By automating many scheduling tasks, it reduces the need for manual interventions, saving operations teams multiple hours per week. The inclusion of color-coded ad unit icons in the schedule viewer aids in quickly identifying inventory, further streamlining the process.
The platform also prepares media companies for future convergence. Its Ad Unit Classification capabilities enable the tracking of nonlinear ad units at the order line level. This feature supports the seamless transition to converged workflows, allowing organizations to efficiently manage ad campaigns across various TV channels, including linear, Connected TV (CTV), and Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST).
Rob Malcolm, General Manager of Ad Tech at Imagine Communications, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation. He emphasized that these enhancements to the xG Linear platform are designed to help media companies work smarter and maximize revenue, ensuring sustainable and profitable growth in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In summary, Imagine Communications’ latest updates to the xG Linear platform offer a robust, scalable, and efficient solution for MVPDs, enhancing ad placement, optimizing inventory, and preparing for future convergence in the media industry.