NEW YORK, March 15 (UPI) -- Many Internet surfers prefer new 30-second, TV-style commercials instead of the usual pop up ads, New York-based online ad developer Unicast said Monday.
The video commercial uses a full-screen online ad format with broadcast-quality video, regardless of connection speed, because it is downloaded in the background, the BBC reported. Internet surfers can choose to close the ad.
Unicast teamed with the Redmond, Wash.-based, Microsoft Corp.to pioneer the new form of Net advertising.
The ads have been tested on a number of Web sites, such as About.com, CBS Sportsline, Gamespot, iVillage and Lycos. An online survey of 3,500 users said they found the commercials less annoying than other forms of Internet advertising. Only 28 found the ads annoying, Unicast said.
"These results further indicate that given the opportunity to use video, advertisers can shift consumer attitudes and accelerate favorability and purchase intent for their brands," said Unicast's Allie Savarino.
