Technology revolutionises the tracking and analysis of TV broadcast content
19th October 2010
Broadcast measurement experts are using unique technology to help them identify and track the content of TV shows across the world.
Magellan image analysis software produced by UK company Applied Image Recognition (AIR) (www.air-ltd.com) is currently used to track brand exposure and analyse footage at international sporting events.
Now the company has formed a partnership with broadcast analysis experts at ShowTracker (www.showtracker.tv).
The partnership has resulted in the formation of an automated, real-time content tracking system which is believed to be the most advanced in the industry.
Chris Humpherson, Managing Director at ShowTracker, explained that the technology would provide the power, flexibility and speed to track and monitor the content of an array of broadcast material from cartoons to drama show.
"This means that not only do we not have to pre-code or watermark any of the content we have been requested to track, but we also have a unique ability to identify and monitor elements from within a program or advert itself as well as localised versions of shows and formats."
"The incredible power of AIR's software allows us to marry our automated reporting system with the real time tracking of every requested incident within content across multiple channels. This tracking can report on every incident within any content whether it's a brand, product or iconic images."
Ian Young CEO of AIR said: "We are pleased that our world-leading software is now being used to identify the unique aspects contained within programmes - something that we think will prove to be of immense financial benefit to broadcasters."
"This might include being able verify that a certain episode of a show was broadcast at a certain date and time by identifying anything from a credit title to an episode number in real time. This has never previously been done before."
The technology can also be used by television channels in a number of different ways including helping to identify video piracy.
UK Technology to be used to track effectiveness of sponsorship deals in IPL Cricket
1st September 2010
A UK company that is expert in measuring the exposure of brands at major sporting events will now see its ground-breaking technology used to track the effectiveness of sponsorship in IPL Cricket.
Applied Image Recognition Ltd (AIR) is supplying Indian's leading audience research organisation TAM Media Research with its Magellan software to carry out the brand measurement.
This is the first time that marketing analysis of this nature has been carried in the Indian Premier League. It marks a watershed in the development of the IPL Cricket's history as it is now regularly attracting sponsorship from big name brands including Reebok and Vodafone.
Using Magellan, TAM is now able to measure factors such as the size, position and angle of exposure of each brand, as well as the degree of 'clutter' caused by other visible brands.
When this data is added to the duration of the exposure, a measurement of Brand Prominence Value results. TAM can then use its audience and advertising rate data to produce accurate valuations for each brand, helping them to measure the return on their investment.
"This brings new accuracy to brand exposure measurement, previously unavailable to sponsors and advertisers at cricket and other sporting events" said LV Krishnan, C.E.O. of TAM Media Research.
Ian Young, C.E.O of Applied Image Recognition said "We are delighted to be working with TAM Media Research and that they are using Magellan to provide this service to the Indian Market".
Technology revolutionises the tracking and analysis of TV broadcast content
19th October 2010
Broadcast measurement experts are using unique technology to help them identify and track the content of TV shows across the world.
Magellan image analysis software produced by UK company Applied Image Recognition (AIR) (www.air-ltd.com) is currently used to track brand exposure and analyse footage at international sporting events.
Now the company has formed a partnership with broadcast analysis experts at ShowTracker (www.showtracker.tv).
The partnership has resulted in the formation of an automated, real-time content tracking system which is believed to be the most advanced in the industry.
Chris Humpherson, Managing Director at ShowTracker, explained that the technology would provide the power, flexibility and speed to track and monitor the content of an array of broadcast material from cartoons to drama show.
"This means that not only do we not have to pre-code or watermark any of the content we have been requested to track, but we also have a unique ability to identify and monitor elements from within a program or advert itself as well as localised versions of shows and formats."
"The incredible power of AIR's software allows us to marry our automated reporting system with the real time tracking of every requested incident within content across multiple channels. This tracking can report on every incident within any content whether it's a brand, product or iconic images."
Ian Young CEO of AIR said: "We are pleased that our world-leading software is now being used to identify the unique aspects contained within programmes - something that we think will prove to be of immense financial benefit to broadcasters."
"This might include being able verify that a certain episode of a show was broadcast at a certain date and time by identifying anything from a credit title to an episode number in real time. This has never previously been done before."
The technology can also be used by television channels in a number of different ways including helping to identify video piracy.
UK Technology to be used to track effectiveness of sponsorship deals in IPL Cricket
1st September 2010
A UK company that is expert in measuring the exposure of brands at major sporting events will now see its ground-breaking technology used to track the effectiveness of sponsorship in IPL Cricket.
Applied Image Recognition Ltd (AIR) is supplying Indian's leading audience research organisation TAM Media Research with its Magellan software to carry out the brand measurement.
This is the first time that marketing analysis of this nature has been carried in the Indian Premier League. It marks a watershed in the development of the IPL Cricket's history as it is now regularly attracting sponsorship from big name brands including Reebok and Vodafone.
Using Magellan, TAM is now able to measure factors such as the size, position and angle of exposure of each brand, as well as the degree of 'clutter' caused by other visible brands.
When this data is added to the duration of the exposure, a measurement of Brand Prominence Value results. TAM can then use its audience and advertising rate data to produce accurate valuations for each brand, helping them to measure the return on their investment.
"This brings new accuracy to brand exposure measurement, previously unavailable to sponsors and advertisers at cricket and other sporting events" said LV Krishnan, C.E.O. of TAM Media Research.
Ian Young, C.E.O of Applied Image Recognition said "We are delighted to be working with TAM Media Research and that they are using Magellan to provide this service to the Indian Market".
OmniPerception acquires Margaux Matrix
OmniPerception, the parent company of Applied Image Recognition Ltd (AIR) - world leaders in technology that detects the exposure of brand images or logos at international sporting events, has acquired brand exposure analysis experts Margaux Matrix.
Margaux Matrix has been a long standing customer of AIR, which is renowned in the sports marketing world for its distribution and support of the brand exposure measurement technology known as Magellan.
Magellan systems are the global standard for the automated measurement of Brand exposure in televised sports broadcasts, used around the world to provide sponsors, venues and teams with accurate valuations of on screen exposure.
The purchase of Margaux Matrix brings the ability to AIR to offer Magellan as a service as well as complete systems. In addition, the ability to receive and record a number of satellite and terrestrial channels fulfils a requirement to offer customers broadcast verification and Product Placement measurement.
AIR is a subsidiary of UK-based face recognition experts OmniPerception Ltd.
Stewart Hefferman, C.E.O. of OmniPerception, said “We are delighted with this acquisition. There is very good synergy between these two companies which will enable us to greatly increase the range of services we offer, and to significantly expand our customer base”
“The alliance means that any sports agency can access the best service available in the analysis of sports broadcasts whether it is for a one-off project or all the way through to purchasing their own analysis system,” said James Gibson, Sales Director of Margaux Matrix.
“Margaux Matrix can provide an instant solution to any client in terms of brand exposure analysis with the knowledge that as the client’s requirements grow they can graduate to their own system. Margaux Matrix has developed many operator applications that will soon be available to current and future users of Magellan system.”
The business of producing robust, verifiable and reliable brand exposure data has come a long way in a few short years and this alliance means that the establishment of a true bench marking capability is available to all from the boutique agency to the international research network.
About OmniPerception
OmniPerception, a private British company founded in 2001, is a global supplier of computer vision capabilities, specialising in facial biometrics and advanced image processing. The company’s software provides automated solutions for the recognition of objects and people in a wide range of customer applications – offering significant added benefits in performance and reliability. www.omniperception.com
About Applied Image Recognition
AIR is the exclusive world wide distributor of Magellan™ Image Analysis systems, developed by OmniPerception Ltd. This technology has been packaged to meet the needs of sports sponsorship research customers worldwide by Applied Image Recognition Ltd. AIR’s Magellan™ Automatic Logo Detection and Brand Exposure Analysis software provides the tools necessary to automate the Chronometry process for Sports programmes.
Magellan™ searches through frames of video to detect the exposure of a brand image or a logo – automatically. www.air-ltd.com
About Margaux Matrix
Margaux Matrix (UK) Ltd has been at the fore-front of brand exposure analysis since the beginning of 2004. The company specialises in the analysis of TV pictures and reporting to clients on their “brand” exposure within the broadcasts.
The company exclusively uses Magellan as the basis of its process. Margaux Matrix’s experience in this field gives it the belief that the combination of its own bespoke software and processes combined with Magellan gives them a significant edge over the other players in this market. Clients value Margaux Matrix in terms of the speed, accuracy and breadth of data that gives clients a unique and valuable insight into their exposure and ways in which it can be improved. The data is designed to integrate directly with clients’ requirements or feed into a wider spectrum of research that clients may be using to assess their ROI from their association with the events. www.margauxmatrix.com
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Joyce Julius
Magellan was used by Joyce Julius and Associates in a two-year study of the home plate signage areas in each Major League Baseball stadium.
The study arose from the fact that it was identified that no two ballparks enjoyed identical dimensions and that brands using home plate rotational signage should not expect similar exposure from venue to venue.
Using Magellan technology, the study established that available surface area, camera height, camera positioning, pitcher blockage, batter blockage and even brand clutter all play a role in determining the effectiveness of a home plate sign’s ability to deliver clear, in-focus television exposure time.
Should any of those elements be out of sync, the brand faces the likely proposition of falling well short in securing all of the broadcast time bought and paid for via the sponsorship fee.
Magellan was able to find that the best way to establish the effectiveness of home plate signage is to look at the ratio between brand exposure time and total broadcast time.
The highest ratios occur when the centerfield camera shot is used frequently, and those opportunities for exposure are maximised as a result of clear sightlines to the signage location.
Magellan found that Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field clocked in with an average of 24 seconds of brand exposure per one minute of telecast time, while Toronto’s Rogers Centre posted 22 seconds per one minute of telecast time.
In the case of U.S. Cellular Field, its sign extends down the first baseline far enough to escape any obstruction occurring at the plate. Toronto, on the other hand, features a twin signage panel, located to the third base side of the plate, which can be used to offset the obstruction caused by left handed batsman.
Ian Young, CEO of AIR Ltd explained: “This study highlights how the use of Magellan can generate significant additional exposure by accurately measuring the effectiveness of home plate signage at major sporting events such as baseball.
This can bring significant additional exposure revenue to sponsors.”