Clearcast joins Sohonet Media Network (SMN) to provide super-fast pre-clearance services for the UK advertising industry

Clearcast joins Sohonet Media Network (SMN) to provide super-fast pre-clearance services for the UK advertising industry

1 Gbit/s SMN fibre installation doubles access speeds to website services and enables existing advertising agency SMN members to upload content at uncontended, gigabit speeds

LONDON, 22 December 2011: Sohonet (www.sohonet.com), the global expert in connectivity and data management for the media and entertainment industry, announced today that broadcast advertising pre-clearance specialist, Clearcast (www.clearcast.co.uk), has installed a 1 Gbit/s fibre connection and Sohonet Failover Solution to support its existing service offerings and future-proof its network infrastructure.

Clearcast was founded in 2008 by Britain’s eight largest commercial broadcasters to simplify the process of getting advertising to air. Its primary service is to provide pre-clearance for TV advertising for most broadcasters, ensuring that adverts adhere to the BCAP TV Advertising Standards Code. Its additional services include:- Pre-clearance for VOD and teleshopping; www.onlineflashtest.com – the only automated service providing Flashing and Regular Pattern testing for photo sensitive epilepsy (PSE) and Attribution and Pitch Advisory services.

James Morgan-Yates, CTO, Clearcast stated: “Our SMN membership allows a great number of media and advertising agencies that are already part of the Sohonet network to upload their adverts to us faster than ever before. Sohonet’s solution has significantly optimised our services, such as Edit-to-Clear and Online Flash Test for all our clients, and has enabled a rapid turnaround on last-minute advert changes, alterations to super-imposed texts and resolution to problems regarding flashing images.”

Dave Scammell, Sohonet’s CEO, commented: “Clearcast plays a vital role in helping the UK advertising industry achieve a harmonious balance between regulatory compliance and the creative process. As demand for high quality VOD and interactive advertising increases, we are seeing more media agencies than ever before sign up for our Sohonet Media Network so that they remain ahead in the growing digital world. We are delighted to be partnering with Clearcast and look forward to working with them on a long-term basis to ensure the continuing simplification of processes in order to get UK adverts to air quickly and effectively.”

Clearcast also chose the installation of Sohonet’s Automatic Failover solution, to ensure 100 per cent uptime.

Morgan-Yates said: “It is great that we no longer have to worry about connection failure and can guarantee an optimum service at all times. From start to finish, Sohonet has managed our project quickly and professionally. In fact, I have had more problems having broadband installed in my own home than I did on this project – which considering the size of the undertaking – is no mean feat.”

Clearcast was founded in 2008 by Britain’s eight largest commercial broadcasters to simplify the process of getting advertising to air. Incorporating the BACC, we’re building on over fifty years of experience of being a partner in the creative process for TV advertising. 

The services that we provide are based on our core strengths:

• Compliance. We have 50 years expertise in ensuring that television advertising complies with BCAP codes.
• Advertising processes. We are uniquely positioned to streamline the advertising copy chain to the benefit of everyone that advertises on TV and wider audiovisual media. 
• Metadata. We hold a range of metadata related to commercials ranging from artists and music featured to advertising restrictions.

For more info please visit www.clearcast.co.uk or call Ellie Bonnet on 020 7339 4700 or email press.enquiries@clearcast.co.uk

About Sohonet – www.sohonet.com

Sohonet is the only global expert in connectivity and data management services for the media and entertainment industry. With over 15 years experience, Sohonet offers an extensive range of solutions backed up by unrivalled technical support to enable clients to manage and transfer valuable and critical content quickly, securely and effectively. Our Sohonet Media Network is the largest and most established private, high-performance network for the media industry connecting the leading studios, production and post-production facilities across the globe.

 Laurena McKenna