How Do I Get Started with the SoCast Revive Ad Server for Website Advertising?

Introduction

If you’re used to managing promotions and advertising on air, the SoCast Revive Ad Server is your digital counterpart for website ads. It schedules and displays sponsor ads, tracks performance, and ensures placements appear where and when they should.

This guide covers the essentials:

1. Logging in
2. Setting up your website and ad spaces (Zones) in the ad server
3. Adding Ad Units in SoCast Engage (pasting the code)
4. Building a new ad campaign (Advertiser, Campaign, Banner, and linking) in the ad server
5. Checking ad performance (Reporting) in the ad server

1. Logging In

To access the ad server:

• Go to: https://adserver.socastdigital.com (bookmark this page).
• Enter your username and password. These credentials are provided by your manager or technical contact.
• Dashboard: After logging in, you’ll land on the Dashboard, your starting point for managing ads.

If you don’t have login details, contact your manager or your SoCast platform administrator.

2. Setting Up Your Website and Ad Spaces (Zones) in the Ad Server

Before running ads, define where they will appear on your website by adding your website and creating ad spots (called “Zones”).

Step 1: Add Your Website

If your website isn’t already listed:

• In the left menu, click Websites (or Inventory).
• Click Add A New Website.
• Enter your website details:
  • Website URL: Full address (e.g., https://www.mystationfm.com).
  • Name: Your website’s name (e.g., “My Station FM Website”).
  • Contact: Company admin or your name.
  • Email: Company admin or your contact email.
• Click Save Changes.

Step 2: Define Ad Spaces (Zones)

• In the left menu, click Zones.
• Click Add A New Zone.
• Fill in the details:
  • Name: Adjust as needed.
  • Description: Use a clear name and include the size (e.g., “Header Ad 728x90”).
  • Zone Type: Select Banner, Button, or Rectangle.
  • Size: Select a standard size or enter the width and height in pixels. This must match the recommended size for the corresponding Ad Unit in SoCast Engage.
  • Comments: Optional notes.
• Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Get the Zone Code (Invocation Code)

• After saving the Zone, stay on its settings page.
• Find the Invocation Code tab or section.
• Select Asynchronous JS Tag as the tag type.
• Copy the entire code snippet. You’ll need this for the next step.

3. Adding Ad Units in SoCast Engage (Pasting the Code)

Tell your SoCast website where to display ads from each Zone by pasting the code into the correct Ad Unit field in SoCast Engage.

How to Paste the Code

1. Log in to your SoCast Engage dashboard.
2. Go to Website > Website Settings > Advertising.
3. Scroll to the Ad Units section. You’ll see a list of placements (e.g., Header Ad, Footer Ad, Activity Stream Big Box Ad).
4. Find the Ad Unit that matches your Zone.
5. Click the edit pencil icon (✎) beside the Ad Unit name. This also shows the recommended dimensions.
6. Paste the Invocation Code from the ad server into the text box.
7. Click Save in the pop-up window.
8. After configuring all ad units, click the main Save button at the bottom of the Advertising settings page.

You only need to paste the code once for each ad zone/unit you set up.

For more information on ad units and dimensions, see the SoCast Support documentation: How do I place an ad on my website?

4. Building Your First Ad Campaign in the Ad Server

With Zones set up and your website configured, you’re ready to create an ad campaign for a sponsor.

Step 1: Create the Advertiser

• In the ad server, click Advertisers in the left menu.
• Click Add A New Advertiser.
• Enter the advertiser’s details (Name, Contact, Email, etc.).
• Click Save Changes.

Step 2: Create the Campaign

• With the advertiser selected, click Campaigns in the left menu.
• Click Add New Campaign.
• Fill in the campaign details:
  • Name: Give the campaign a clear name (e.g., “Car Dealership Spring 2025”).
  • Advertiser: Confirm the correct advertiser is selected.
  • Campaign Type: Choose:
    • Remnant: Fills unsold ad space (house ads, bonus impressions).
    • Contract: Standard campaigns with delivery goals (most common).
    • Override: Highest priority; used for urgent or critical campaigns.
  • Date: Set start and expiry dates.
  • Pricing Model: Choose:
    • CPM: Cost per 1,000 ad views.
    • CPC: Cost per click.
    • Tenancy (CPD): Flat fee for a set period (recommended for beginners).
  • Enter the rate/price and goals as needed.
  • Campaign Weight: (Optional) Adjust if you need to prioritize among campaigns of the same type.
• Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Create the Banner and Link to the Zone

• With the correct advertiser and campaign selected, click Banners in the left menu.
• Click Add New Banner.
• Select Upload a local banner to the webserver for image files (JPG, PNG, GIF).
• Fill in the banner details:
  • Name: Include the size (e.g., “Car Dealership Spring Sale 728x90”).
  • Upload: Upload the image file. Ensure the image matches the Zone size.
  • Ad/Banner Link: Enter the destination URL.
  • Add alt text and status text as needed.
  • Confirm the Size is correct.
  • Weight: Controls how often this banner shows relative to others in the same campaign and zone.
• Click Save Changes.
• Verify Zone Linking: After saving, go to the Linked Zones tab for this banner. Ensure the correct Zone is listed and active. If not, link it here.

Your campaign, banner, and zone linking are now set up. Once the start date arrives, the ad server will begin displaying the banner in the correct zone.

5. Checking Ad Performance (Reporting) in the Ad Server

After your campaigns have run, check their performance in the ad server:

• Click the Statistics tab.
• Choose a report and select the date range.
• View by Advertiser & Campaign or by Website/Zone.
• Click the arrow button to run the report.
• Key metrics:
  • Impressions: How many times the ad was displayed.
  • Clicks: How many times users clicked the ad.
  • CTR (Click-Through Rate): Clicks divided by impressions, shown as a percentage.

Conclusion

You’ve now learned how to:

1. Log in to the ad server.
2. Define ad locations (Websites and Zones).
3. Paste the Zone code into the correct Ad Unit in SoCast Engage.
4. Set up an Advertiser and Campaign, create a Banner, and verify Zone linking.
5. Check performance statistics in the ad server.

With practice, these steps will become second nature. Refer back to this guide or the SoCast support articles as needed. If you need help, contact your internal administrator or SoCast Support.

You’re now ready to manage online ad campaigns for your station’s website!