Month: August 2021

System Status – 8/24/21

Joseph Gray System Status

Problem with airing level videos

A recently discovered issue is impacting airing level video playback. An airing level video should be available for the first 10 days after a creative airs. This is a helpful feature for creatives that use different 800 numbers across different networks or make any creative modifications which may be network or airing specific. When one clicks view links, during the initial 10 day window for any airing, such as in airing detail excel outputs or in the network log view, the video that plays should be of the actual airing and contain the correct 800 number, etc. Currently, the system is not playing the correct airing level video but rather a video sample of the creative which can be from any network.

For advertisers using different 800 numbers across networks, this situation may result in the wrong 800 number appearing in the video playback for airing level videos. This situation is due to a programming error on the part of our AdSphere development team and we are still working to determine when this issue started. Normally, user input would have exposed this type of issue, however, in this particular case, a member of our team happened to notice the issue. Our AdSphere development team is currently working to fix this issue and the plan is to push the fix to AdSphere on Friday of this week after they spend 2-3 days doing proper quality control checks. We sincerely apologize for this issue.

8/27/21 Update – The fix for airing level videos has been pushed to production. Please report any issues to support@drmetrix.com

System Status – 8/18/21

Joseph Gray System Status

There was a major power issue this evening that we understand impacted a rather large 30+ mile radius area which happens to include DRMetrix’s data center. In addition to the power related issues, part of a fiber optics ring was taken offline causing a regional loss of internet which impacted websites across the region. One of DRMetrix’s uninterruptable power supplies was damaged during the event. As a result, we have numerous servers that have to be rebooted, file integrity scans performed, etc. One of our database servers was also damaged and needs to be repaired. Presently, we have a technical support team working on all of these issues but it is going to take some time to resolve all of them. Please know that videos and thumbnails will not work until database server is repaired. It’s unlikely that all systems will be fully restored by the morning so these impacts may continue during the day on Thursday. We’ll post here as additional details become available.

8/19/21 7:00AM Update – Repairs are still ongoing. AdSphere is currently in maintenance mode but we are trying to bring it back online. When we do, initially videos and thumbnails may not work until repair on video database server is also complete. That process is ongoing. Will post update when we have an ETA on completion.

8/19/21 9:47AM Update – AdSphere is back online but work on DB server for video and thumbnails is still ongoing. A message will appear that video and thumbnails are not available and to try again in some time. Recovery of additional servers to get ad detections functioning normally again is ongoing.

8/19/21 8:30pm. Video and thumbnails are working once more in AdSphere.

System Status – 8/15/21

Joseph Gray System Status

Due to circumstances beyond our control, and until further notice, DRMetrix will be unable to monitor Fusion Network. We would very much like to continue monitoring this network if they are willing to authorize a receiver for DRMetrix. We do not charge networks anything for monitoring. If you purchase media from Fusion, please let them know that you would like to see them monitored by DRMetrix!

August 2021 Build

Joseph Gray AdSphere

We are pleased to bring some new features to our latest AdSphere build.

Exclude Response Type Filter

The introduction of a new Response Type filter “Exclude” makes it possible to exclude creative results where any combination of URL, SMS, TFN (toll free number) or MAR (mobile app response) elements exist. As an example, let’s say you’re interested in studying brand/dr campaigns that use any combination of URL, SMS, and MAR but you want to remove any creatives that have TFN. Previously, there was no way to do this but now you can select TFN together with the new Exclude button and click Apply! This will make it easier to isolate pure web based direct-to-consumer campaigns and much more.

Category / Sub-Category Fields

Campaigns in AdSphere can be assigned to one or two different categories / sub-categories. We have added fields for this in various reports so that users can easily determine which are assigned to each brand and ranking reports can easily be sorted using these new fields as shown below:

Track when new networks are added or removed from a brand or creative’s media schedule

In our May build of AdSphere, we added some new features on the network details page includes Active / Inactive network tabs, Active Weeks Counter, and Consecutive Weeks Counter. To read about these features, please click here. To put the finishing touches on these new features, we have added the ability to schedule recurring reports that key off of new Active or Inactive networks being added to a brand or creative schedule. As you will see below, when clicking the blue excel button, on either the Active or Inactive tab, will allow you make a variety of choices. In the upper section of the pop up dialog, you can request an excel output for either Active or Inactive networks. On the bottom section, you can optionally choose to have an automated weekly report scheduled and emailed to you every Monday based on any of the following conditions: When there are new active or new inactive networks, Only when there are new active networks, Only when there are new inactive networks, or run weekly whether or not there are new active or inactive networks.

There are multiple use cases for these new capabilities. It’s now easier than ever to track a particular brand or creative and be alerted should a new network be added to the schedule. You could also be alerted should a network be removed from the schedule. The reports you receive on Monday will alert you to any changes that were made in the prior media week.

We hope everyone enjoys these new features!

System Status – 8/2/21

Joseph Gray System Status

A new software build was pushed early in the AM today that will help to further increase infomercial detection accuracy. The main focus this week for the ACR team will be further enhancements to ad discovery and working to get caught up on outstanding new ad candidates. We wish to thank all of you who are uploading new creatives via AVS and/or sending us post log airing times so we can further expedite registration of new and/or missing ad candidates. We appreciate those of you who have brought various issues to our attention. Our team has been able to research and resolve various edge cases due to everyone’s super helpful input! Thank you.