Introducing.... The Youtube Masthead!

The YouTube Desktop Custom Masthead is a 970x250 pixel in-page unit running the full width of the YouTube homepage below the navigation bar for 24 hours. There is also an expandable version that expands on the user click to 970x500 pixels. See the custom masthead guide in the YouTube Help Center for more information.


This guide explains everything you need to know about the process of launching a YouTube masthead.


- Masthead process overview -

From kickoff call to launch, all mastheads follow these seven steps:

Step 1: Kickoff call
Step 2: Asset delivery or QA submission
Step 3: Production and QA
Step 4: Revisions and final approval
Step 5: Trafficking
Step 6: YouTube blackout period
Step 7: Launch!
 



- Use video in a masthead -

We strongly recommend that you include video in a YouTube masthead, although it isn't required. You can add a video using DoubleClick Studio's Video Player components or the YouTube Video Player component. We recommend the second option when you directly add a YouTube video to the creative.


YouTube Video Player


This is an AS3-only component that lets you embed a YouTube video directly in the creative. For additional creative flexibility, it lets you set the video player as chromeless so that YouTube video controls are hidden.


There are two key benefits to the YouTube Video Player:


It helps you save file load size. The YouTube Video Player doesn't add to your YouTube file size limits as would an FLV in the Video Player component. Instead, it transfers the weight of the video from the creative to YouTube, allowing for videos with higher quality and resolution in the masthead. This leaves you more room for additional Flash animations and interactions.
 


It increases user engagement. Using YouTube videos and adding links to your watch page from the masthead help increase brand interaction on YouTube and viral public views.