Ad-ID codes are generated through a secure, web-accessible database located at www.ad-id.org.  The first four alpha characters are company identification prefixes. For all non-visual media (print, radio, etc), Ad-ID codes are 12 digits in length - four alpha and eight alpha-numeric characters (see non-visual media example below). For all visual media (TV, Cinema Trailer, etc), the length of the code depends on the format (Standard Definition, High Definition or 3D). The next seven characters after the four alpha prefix are a unique code, with the last character reserved for High Definition or 3D classification. Please see visual media examples below.  

 

NON-VISUAL MEDIA

VISUAL MEDIA

SUBJECT	NON-VISUAL MEDIA	VISUAL MEDIA
Prefix	4 Alpha	4 Alpha
Length of Ad-ID code	12 characters	11 characters (SD) 12 characters (HD) 12 characters (3D)
Format	N/A	SD, HD, 3D

Prefix

The Prefix is a four-letter combination that identifies an advertiser and/or the advertiser’s product.  All existing ISCI prefixes can be grandfathered into Ad-ID.  Advertisers without an ISCI prefix need to obtain a new Ad-ID company prefix.

Middle Four Characters

Ad-ID offers flexibility in the manner an advertiser can have the middle four characters generated.  The format for a given Ad-ID is established at the time the Prefix is initially licensed and cannot be changed after it is set.

• 4 Digit Sequence: All 4 characters will be used to count the number of Ad-IDs issued under this prefix.  These are assigned automatically when the Ad-ID is created.

Example: ABCD 0001 0000, ABCD 0002 0000 to ABCD 9999 0000

• 1 Digit Year + 3 Digit Sequence: The first digit is the last number in the current year.  The last 3 digits are used to count the number of Ad-IDs issued under this prefix.  These are assigned automatically when the Ad-ID is created.

Example (using the year 2011): ABCD 1001 000, ABCD 1002 000 to ABCD 1999 000.

• 3 Digit Sequence + 1 Digit Year: The first 3 digits are used to count the number of Ad-IDs issued under this prefix.  The last digit is the last number in the current year.  These are assigned automatically when the Ad-ID is created.

Example (using the year 2011): ABCD 0011 000, ABCD 0021 000 to ABCD 9991 000.

• Custom: The sequence of 4 characters may be any combination of letters or numbers and are assigned manually by a user at the time the Ad-ID is created.  If a user enters a sequence that is a duplicate of another Ad-ID, the system will increment the overflow characters.

Example: ABCD 1Y7W 0000, ABCD EI30 0000, ABCD 238Q 0000, etc.

Overflow

The overflow characters are assigned by the Ad-ID system when it encounters an 8 digit code that is a duplicate of another Ad-ID.  They begin at 100 and are incremented by 1 digit.  Thus, the second Ad-ID having the same first 8 digits will be 200.  The system will continue to increment using alpha characters before it overflows to 010.

Example (overflow characters in bold): ABCD1Q3R000, ABCD1Q3R100, ABCD1Q3R200

High Definition and 3D

In conjunction with all of the major U.S. TV networks, Ad-ID has facilitated the development of standards for the coding of high definition and 3D commercials.  

The number of characters in a code and the structure of the characters will be dependent on whether or not the asset is a visual medium (see below) and the format (SD, HD or 3D).

1. All Standard Definition codes will be 11 characters.
2. All High Definition codes will be 12 characters with an H in the 12^th character.
3. All 3D codes will be 12 characters with a D in the 12^th character.
4. All other codes not related to visual media will remain as 12 characters.
5. If a visual medium is chosen (please see below for list of visual media), it will be required that a Format is chosen (SD, HD, 3D or any combination of the three). This field is only required and available for visual media codes.
6. If you choose only one format when the code is originally created, you will be able to go back and create the other versions at a later date. For instance, if you create an SD (ABCD1234567) and you later find out you need an HD (ABCD1234567H) or 3D (ABCD1234567D).
7. Once a code is created it can not be removed or replaced.  For instance, if you create an HD and realize you only need an SD, you are able to go back and create the SD in addition to the HD, but the HD cannot be removed or replaced by the SD.
8. If there is only one HD version being created with an SD counterpart (for instance, if a network requires HD in center-cut only), the SD and HD codes will be the same number, with an "H" in the 12th character for the HD.
9. Regarding "center-cut" HD spots, as mentioned in #7 above, if this is the only HD version being created, it will have an SD counterpart. It is also recommended that the words "center cut" be contained in the commercial title. When there are multiple HD versions, there is a need for flexibility and requirements may vary.

 

The codes will be created as follows:

• If you choose a visual medium and only SD as the format, the system will create only one code which will be an 11-character code.

• Example:  ABCD1234000

 

• If you choose a visual medium and only HD as the format, the system will create only one 12-character code with an H in the 12th character. 

• Example: ABCD1234000H

 

• If you choose a visual medium and only 3D as the format, the system will create only one 12-character code with a D in the 12th character. 

• Example: ABCD1234000D

 

• If you choose a visual medium and choose multiple formats, the system will automatically create matching codes with the 12^th character differentiating the format. This meets the requirement that each code be exactly the same except for an H or D at the end and stay within a maximum 12 characters.

• Example: 

SD: ABCD1234000
HD: ABCD1234000H
3D: ABCD1234000D

List of Visual Media
For all visual media listed, it will be required to choose a format (SD, HD, 3D or any combination of the three).

• Television: ALL
• Television: Network
• Television: Network Hispanic
• Television: Spot
• Television: Spot Hispanic
• Television: Syndication
• Television: Billboard
• Television: On Demand
• Cable TV: ALL
• Cable TV: Network
• Cable TV: Spot
• Cable TV: Hispanic
• Internet Video
• In Store Video
• Theaters
• Digital Cinema Trailer
• DVD Trailer
• Internet Vido On Demand
• IPTV (Internet Protocol TV)
• Direct Response: Video
• Not For Air: Video
• Test Spot: Video
• Other: Video(Describe in Notes)