MAJOR Platform Updates - November 3rd, 2022

Automated link tracking, unified Content URL work-flow, new integrations and more!

Please carefully review the below platform updates, scheduled for release at Midnight PST on November 2nd, 2022. 

 

RELEASE NOTES SUMMARY (click on a topic header to jump to each section for more details)

In our latest release, there are several updates coming to Pressboard Studio, creating more efficiences, ease of use, along with new integrations and upgrades to a few existing ones. 

Here are all the latest updates in relative order:

1.   Automated Link Tracking 
   For Enterprise clients who deploy Pressboard Analytics (PBA) javascript to measure on-page engagement, PBA now automatically scans content for any click-able links / objects on-page and surfaces those engagement (click) results. Previously, Users would generate individual Pressboard Links to achieve this same objective.
   
   
2.   Content URL activation (unified)
   For all account types, Users can now add a single unique URL to several on-page analytics data sources at the same time. Previously, Users were required to add the same URL to PBA, Google Analytics, MOAT and Ceros separately. 
   
   
3. Ceros Universal Analytics 
   For Enterprise clients with access to Pressboard Analytics, a minor code update to PBA script will now allow for significantly streamlined Ceros analytics collection and reporting. Previously, the Ceros Experience integration required Users to manually place custom script into each and every new Ceros experience AND tag hot-spot objects in order to trigger analytics collection and subsequent reporting. 
   
   
4. StackAdapt reporting 
   For all account types, Users can now activate StackAdapt as a reporting integration. To do so, first confirm your StackAdapt API Token, then head over Settings > Data Sources > StackAdapt > Add Account, in order to activate. 
   
   
5.   Instagram Reels 
   For all account types, Users can now activate IG Reels reporting by going to the existing Instagram Posts / Reels option under a story's 'Add Report' drop-down. Once Reel(s) are selected and saved, a dedicated report titled Instagram Reels will appear under 'Reports' tab. 
6. Facebook Ad CREATIVES reporting - For all account types, Users may now go a level deeper into Facebook Ad Set reporting to observe individual creative performance. This includes both static and video dark ads.  

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DETAILED BREAK-DOWN

  Automated Link Tracking

Yes, you did read that right! The Pressboard Analytics javascript now automatically scans the content page to which it's deployed for any click-able links. Results are then collected and visualized in the report component titled "Clicks". There is no technical action required by Users to begin utilizing (and hopefully enjoying!) this new feature. 

In a campaign/ story report, the "Clicks" report component can be observed by clicking the 'View Reports' button next to Pressboard Analytics report (once activated with a content URL). This report component can also be added to your Custom Reports by searching for "Pressboard Analytics Clicks". It can also be added to your Custom Report templates. 

Note: Pressboard Links are not going anywhere. Users may continue using them as needed (tracking clicks on any virtual object with a destination URL), but, we do anticipate lower usage with automated link tracking now in play.

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  Content URL activation (unified) 

Representing one deliberate step on our journey to creating faster & more efficient work-flows, Users can now activate the same unique URL across several data sources at the same time. While this only applies to a single "story", many Users will be saving several clicks by adding a URL to any or all of PBA, Google Analytics, MOAT and Ceros Universal Analytics, all at once. 

As seen in the screenshots below, simply paste in your URL as you normally would, then select the respective databases to which the platform will trigger retrieval of analytics results and be sure to hit 'Save'. 

Note: The original Ceros Experience integration is not included in this experience. This is due to requirement to add the Ceros version of the article URL for activation which is not the same as the published URL that would be added to PBA, GA and MOAT. 

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Ceros Universal Analytics

With a nod to the folks at Ceros, we're thrilled to now offer an easier, low-touch analytics set-up and reporting work-flow with the new Ceros Universal Analytics integration. 

What's different:

• Overall, we expect reporting to be far more streamlined, however...
• This integration requires access to Pressboard Analytics (PBA). PBA javascript can be upgraded with an additional minor code snippet to automatically collect Ceros analytics if the PBA script is deployed to a URL with a published or embedded Ceros interactive. This means Users no longer have to manually tag hot-spot objects in Ceros SDK.
• Depending on whether you publish or embed your Ceros interactive to your CMS, it may also mean no longer adding the previous Ceros' integration's custom script manually to each new Ceros experience via the SDK. The PBA script will do all the "heavy lifting", just as it is with Automated Link Tracking as part of this same platform update.
• The URL added to Ceros Universal Analytics report will be the same as the published URL that is normally added to PBA, GA, MOAT, etc. 

How to enable (TWO-STEP process):

Step 1: Contact us! We can ensure the transition from Ceros Experience to Ceros Universal Analytics is smooth.

Want to go it on your own? 

Start with visiting Settings > Data Sources > Ceros Universal Analytics. Then, click 'Add Code' and choose your universal analytics equivalent (the one you're ideally using for Pressboard Analytics) and hit 'Save'. 

Then, click the expand icon (<>), copy the javascript in its entirety including the additional code snippet as seen below.

pbq('activate', 'ceros-universal-analytics');

Then, send this upgraded PBA javascript to your Ad / Dev-ops team to implement as part of your sponsored / paid / branded / native content templates. 

Step 2: Following the steps in this Ceros help article, enable "Universal Analytics" toggle at your Ceros account level. 

Final step: Once the new PBA + Ceros snippet javascript is deployed and Universal Analytics toggled ON in Ceros itself, conduct a test to confirm analytics are flowing into a story report in your Pressboard account. Please reach out to Customer Support if you have any questions or need assistance. 

Note: The original Ceros Experience integration will remain in play until further notice. We hope Users decide to transition to Ceros Universal Analytics as we expect it to be a significantly better experience overall.

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StackAdapt reporting

StackAdapt is a major player in the programmatic native advertising eco-system, used by major Publishers, Agencies & Brands. Now, Users can bring their StackAdapt reporting into Pressboard Studio to further have holistic insight into all the "levers" that go into promotion. 

In order to activate, first confirm your StackAdapt API Token, then head over Settings > Data Sources > StackAdapt > Add Account. Give your account a "Display Name" and paste in your API Token and hit 'Save'. That's it! 

Now you can head on over to a story report and you will find 'StackAdapt' as an option in the 'Add Report' drop-down list. 

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  Instagram Reels 

Long awaited but finally here, Instagram Reels reporting is live! This is an upgrade to an existing integration (Instagram organic) and does not require any action by Users in order to access. 

To activate Instagram Reels tracking, simply select "Instagram Post / Reels" in a story report's 'Add Report' drop-down list, select your handle and either search for Reels using keywords in Reels' title and / or look for the   icon. Select your Reel(s) and hit 'Save'. 

Your story report will then have a dedicated section for Instagram Reels metrics as seen in the screenshot below. This report component can also be found in Custom Reports and individual metrics can also be used as 'Highlights'.

Note: Instagram Posts are differentiated from Reels with this icon next to them. 

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Facebook Ad CREATIVES reporting

Similar to IG Reels, Facebook Ad Creatives reporting is an upgrade to an existing integration (Facebook Ad Sets) and does not require any action by Users in order to access. 

Simply add your Facebook Ad Sets to story reports as usual. Then, to view creative level results, click 'View Reports' button next to the FB Ad Sets section of your story report. Near the bottom of the long list of report components, Users will find two new tables as seen in screenshots below.

These report components can be added to Custom Reports and of course, can be included as part of your Custom Report templates as well.  

Creatives - Static dark ads

Creatives - Video dark ads

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And that's a wrap on everything for this release cycle.

We hope our Users enjoy learning about and utilizing all these new features and integrations. As always, we thank you for your feedback and look forward to delivering more updates in the near future. 

 

*roll post-credits scene*.........

 

Still here? Here's a sneak peak at future integrations we have planned as part of Pressboard Studio's product roadmap: 

• Google Campaign Manager
• Permutive
• Taboola
• Adobe Experiences
• Apple News
• GA4: Google Analytics 4

That's all for now! 

On behalf of the wider Pressboard team,

Thank you!