SpotX in Video PSAs partnership with media owners on tackling Covid-19

Global video advertising platform SpotX has partnered with its media owner partners worldwide in tackling the corona virus crisis.

Public Service Announcements, PSAs that have been created by World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) will run in place of traditional video ads on over-the-top (OTT) and online video inventory that have been donated by A+E Networks, Discovery, Gameloft, Philo, and SendtoNews. Other partners taking part in the campaign include Amobee, DoubleVerify, and Universal McCann.

Traditionally, Video has been an effective channel of public education and remains a key channel during this period of ‘Staying Home’ and isolation. SpotX works with nearly all OTT stakeholders and reaches four out of five viewers of ad-supported connected TV in the U.S.

Mike Laband, Senior Vice President, SpotX: “The COVID-19 virus is obviously having an impact on all of us around the world and on our industry as a whole. We are extremely grateful to our supply partners who are donating video ad inventory to this important cause and are working alongside us to ensure these important messages about social distancing, personal hygiene, and mental health awareness are seen by the public during this critical time.”

The advertising industry has been stepping up to the challenge and doing its part to combat the virus. In March, PSA ad spend across the SpotX platform grew by 304 per cent and is expected to be 2,219 per cent higher than average in April. The majority of PSA-related ad spend is COVID-19 related, with 67 per cent running on CTV devices, 29 per cent on web, and 4 per cent on mobile.

Discovery is donating video ad inventory across its properties including Animal Planet, Cooking Channel, Food Network, HGTV, and more. 

Bill Murray, VP, programmatic revenue and ad products, Discovery Inc: “Since many people around the globe are currently staying home, we have the ability to reach audiences at scale with these important video messages during a time when the public needs to see and hear them the most. We are proud to support this vital initiative by donating premium inventory, and feel hopeful that we can make an impact alongside our fellow media owners.”

SpotX will be serving the video ads through private marketplaces with each media owner and providing its services for the PSA campaign pro bono.

www.spotx.tv