Sprout Mobile Rich Media

Sprout is thrilled to announce that it’s now possible to export both HTML5 and Flash versions of the content created with the Sprout Engage Platform. This means, that it’s now possible to create rich-media Engage Ads that are interactive in both Flash based desktop browsers and non-Flash mobile browsers. We’re currently reviewing partners for our beta-release who are looking for a mobile ad solution that will combine their Flash and HTML5 production workflows. For more information about this program please visit our HTML5 beta program signup page or read our press release.

We’re also excited to be making this announcement as HTML5 is gaining momentum in the broader online display ad space. Just last week on Thursday April 8th, Steve Jobs announced the launch of the iAd platform which will serve ads built exclusively in HTML5. And, to our delight he used a Sprout Engage Ad as an example of how interactive and engaging display ads can be. Here’s a photo of Steve with our Alice in Wonderland Ad on stage.

Jobs stated that the iAd platform would serve 1 billion ads a day which makes it a very attractive opportunity for advertisers. But, this also poses a challenge for advertisers because the tools they use to create Flash ads do not export HTML5. Apple is not providing advertisers with a development platform and Jobs suggested that advertisers should use existing tools for authoring this content. This would mean that advertisers would have to acquire new tools to rebuild their Flash ads in another format. Sprout offers a better alternative by allowing advertisers to build their ads once before simultaneously publishing Flash and HTML5 versions. Here’s a short video that explains why we think this is so important and how it will enable advertisers to scale their HTML5 production to meet the iAd platform opportunity:

Here’s a closer look at how serving HTML5 ads can help advertisers gain better performance from their ads. In short, it allows advertisers to avoid the static GIF images that currently dominate the mobile browsing experience.

At Sprout we’re thrilled to start the process of identifying partners to participate in our beta-program. We believe this will make our Engage Ad Platform event more attractive to advertisers, publishers and agencies that are looking to scale production of rich, interactive, and socially connected ads that can be served in both Flash and HTML5.