AI-powered Evince automates the detection and capture of primary and secondary ad elements on multiple live sports streams, instantly storing visual proof of delivery.
Skandha Media Services, a player in scalable playout services leveraging cloud technology, automation, AI, and machine learning, has unveiled Evince, an AI-based ad verification tool designed for live sports streaming platforms and advertising agencies.
Evince is engineered to empower broadcasters, OTT platforms, content owners and aggregators, rights holders, and brands by automating the detection and capture of primary and secondary ad elements on live sports streams. The tool provides advertising agencies and advertisers with a clear view of how ads appear on specific channels via mobile, digital, or CTV, and at what point during a live event they are shown. This ensures that contractual obligations are met by delivering automated visual proof-of-delivery.
Yogesh Salian, director of client services at Skandha Media Services, said: “This technology goes far beyond providing traditional logs for a live sports stream that may be firing hundreds and even thousands of Ads over the full length of a live game or competition. The advertising agency not only has the ability to check that a particular Ad appeared visually correctly during an event on a specific stream or platform, but also that it was delivered at a specific time, or in a particular spot, for the expected duration.”
Ad placement and timing are crucial during live sports events. Evince provides visual evidence that an ad has been served by using AI to detect ad elements displayed in a live sports stream, capturing and meticulously recording each one as a video or image file with timestamps. The tool uses metadata to automate file names relating to the commercial ID and brand.
Video spot ads (including those carrying QR codes) are saved as MP4 files, while L-Band, Aston, and Bug ads are saved as PNG, JPG, and MOV files. These files are instantaneously and securely stored in the cloud, ensuring each ad insertion record can be accessed reliably in real-time.
Skandha developed this innovative AI-based technology after a customer approached them seeking a way to provide visual proof to their advertisers that 100% of ads were being served and displayed correctly during a live cricket match stream. Initially, Skandha implemented a manual process to monitor and record screenshots and videos of each ad on multiple streams during the match. Although effective, the process was resource-intensive and unsustainable.
“Initially we implemented a manual process to monitor and record screenshots and videos of each Ad on multiple streams during the match,” explained Salian. “Although the client was impressed with having instant access to the visual files of every single Ad, the manpower and resources to accomplish this level of verification was unsustainable. This is when we introduced Machine Learning to automate the process – training cameras to identify and capture Ad elements. With Evince we can deliver super-efficient Ad verification and next-level proof of delivery that simply did not exist before.”
“The transparency that Evince provides builds trust with advertisers by ensuring responsible ad practices that contribute to safeguarding their brand identity,” added Salian. “We carried out a Proof of Concept (POC) for one of the large OTT platforms in India and Evince went beyond their expectations.”
“Advertisers spend big money on Ad insertions during live sporting events, so being able to provide easily accessible visual proof of delivery using AI is a game changer,” concluded Salian. “Our new Evince tool fosters a trustworthy and sustainable advertising ecosystem for all stakeholders.”
