Universal To Edit Ads Into Classic Music Videos

Get ready to see your favorite rapper repping products they might never have known about whilst amongst the living. Universal Music Group has announced that they'll be teaming up with ad-placement group Mirriad and Havas Agency to modify music videos to include advertisements. This in-content generator of revenue is said to bypass "the Skip Generation" – aka those that skip advertisements whenever possible.

Global ad agency Havas will decide where the ads should be placed. Mirriad will do the dirty work, and Universal Music Group will give the OK. The video below is made by Mirriad and gives some flashy examples of how this technology will work.

One of the first in-play examples is shown here – the band Avicii will have Grand Marnier ads added into already-existing content.

Universal Music Group says that they'll be working with Dish Network, Coca-Cola, LVMH and LG in the near future for retro-active placement. They also point out that Havas Media network's research center venture Siliwood "will also incorporate Mirriad technology and UMG content in ongoing research it is conducting in media, content, technology and data science."

Below you'll see an update to Far East Movement's "Rocketeer." Look like an improvement to you?

"Through innovative technologies such as Mirriad's, and leading global agencies such as Havas, we can offer our artists additional opportunities to generate revenue from their Mirriad music videos," suggested Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. He continued, "with Mirriad's highly customizable platform, we have the ability to insure that artists' and brands' interests are aligned while we remain focused on presenting fans with the most compelling music experience possible."

So very compelling!

It's been said that Mirriad's methods are "the cure for ad blindness."

What do you think?