An ad template is a ready-made group of adverts that you can drop into a playlist in one go. Adding one to your Automated Game Plan means a full run of sponsor adverts plays automatically, in a set order, without you adding each advert separately. This article shows you how to add an ad template as an item in a playlist.
[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER: Automation_12_Add_an_Ad_Template_v1.1.mp4]
Before you start
You need the Graphics module, as Automation depends on it.
You need an Automated Game Plan with at least one playlist, open in the Automation tab. This could be a pre or post match playlist, a break playlist or an in-game playlist.
You need at least one ad template already set up, containing the adverts you want to show. You can only choose from existing templates when adding this item.
Add an ad template to a playlist
In the Automation tab, open your game plan and select the playlist you want to add the adverts to.
Click Add Item to Sequence. A list of item types appears, such as overlay graphics, actions, multimedia, advertisements and ad templates.
Click Add Ad Template.
Choose one of your existing ad templates from the list. Pick the one that matches the sponsors and break you're planning for. For example, you might have one template for pre-match sponsors at LIGR Demo Stadium and another for half-time.
Check the adverts included in the template. They play in sequence, in the order they're set in the template's list.
Click Continue to add the ad template to the playlist.
How the adverts play
When the playlist reaches the ad template item, each advert in the template plays one after another. The order comes from the template itself, so the first advert in the template's list plays first, then the second, and so on until the last one finishes.
Because the template is a single item in your playlist, it moves as one block. If you want the adverts to play in a different order, change the order in the ad template rather than in the playlist.
After you add the ad template
The ad template appears as an item in your playlist sequence, alongside any other items such as graphics or multimedia.
Use the playlist timeline to check where the adverts sit in relation to everything else in the playlist.
Use preview to see how the playlist runs before you take it live, so you can confirm the adverts appear when you expect.
When the match is live, the game plan runs the playlist automatically, and the adverts play when the playlist reaches them. For example, during Harbour City (HCF) v Ridgeview (RVR), a half-time break playlist could run the full set of sponsor adverts without anyone needing to trigger them.
When to use an ad template
Use an ad template when you want to show the same group of adverts in a fixed order, often across several matches. It saves time compared with adding each advert to the playlist individually, and it keeps your sponsor run consistent from match to match across a competition such as the LIGR Demo League.
If you only need a single advert, adding an individual advertisement item may be simpler.
Tips and common mistakes
Set up the template first. If the template you want isn't in the list, create it before adding it to the playlist.
Check the order in the template. The adverts always follow the template's list, so review it before match day to make sure sponsors appear in the right sequence.
Choose the right playlist. Adding the template to a break playlist means the adverts play during breaks. Adding it to a pre or post match playlist means they play before or after the match.
Preview before going live. A quick preview helps you catch adverts that are in the wrong place or playlist.