CNN, Sharethrough offer native and branded content advertising format

Through a new partnership with native advertising platform Sharethrough, CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) is now offering dynamic native and branded content advertising formats in prominent positions across CNN Digital platforms - a move that takes advertising on CNN Digital even further beyond the traditional ad banner.

Using Sharethrough, CNNIC developed and tailored exclusive new formats and templates so that native solutions on its international digital properties offer both a seamless user experience and value to its advertisers. The main benefits are in dwell time and engagement, as the Sharethrough/Nielsen Neuroscience Study shows that native ads receive double more visual attention than banner ads.

Key benefits

CNN Digital's ‘Native 2.4’ programme focuses on several key benefits:

Dynamic formats: New ad formats on CNN Digital platforms include instant play native video, graphic text over video, infographics, long-form video, articles and galleries to increase engagement across all digital platforms, focused on mobile. All native content is labelled as ‘Sponsor content’ and includes clear disclosures to ensure transparency with the user.
Smart placement: Placement of native advertising fits in naturally across the international edition of CNN Digital properties including key verticals, such as CNN Style, CNNMoney, CNN Sport and CNN Travel, and premium inventory such as the CNN homepage. Clearly labelled native content is now presented in the style of CNN editorial content, with the ability to be placed directly in editorial streams of content and alongside relevant CNN editorial videos and articles.
Intelligent data insight: Building on its CNN AIM (Audience Insight Measurement) commercial data offering, the new native solutions are powered by data. This enables targeting of specific audience segments, A/B testing of creative executions, real-time optimisation of campaigns and detailed reporting metrics to deliver clients with true marketing insight.
Creative excellence: Its award-winning brand content studio, Create, which has produced branded content for international advertisers for ten years, is the creative powerhouse behind the native content delivered through these solutions. Separate to CNN editorial, it works with CNNIC’s commercial partners to deliver branded content that resonates with CNN audiences across linear, digital and social platforms.

Brand storytelling

“We are bringing together the full suite of new formats, prominent and seamless placement, and the power of data and creative content for clients to engage with CNN audiences in a native environment,” said Rob Bradley, director of digital revenue and data, CNN International Commercial.

“The result is an engaging brand storytelling experience created for peak performance and with the flexibility of dynamic optimisation. Clearly labelled to ensure transparency, this solution created with our partners at Sharethrough also ensures that our users are served high quality and engaging native content that is relevant to them. In an age of overused buzzwords, this solution, which we’re calling Native 2.4, finally adds real substance to the term ‘native advertising’.”

“Like us, CNN believes in a future where ads are built on a foundation of respect and quality — ads that fit in. The CNN team has enthusiastically embraced this new advertising model and is using the Sharethrough platform in a unique and sophisticated way. When combined with the high quality content being created by CNN’s brand content studio, native ads have the power to engage and persuade unlike any traditional marketing strategy,” said Dan Greenberg, CEO and co-founder, Sharethrough.