Introduction

Progressive and unique, these are the key words when describing our motion branding for moving images. The use of the rings in TV ads or social media videos is reduced and always corresponds with the content.

We create an opportunity for our brand, using the ending, opener or short version branding combining Audi moving image communication with our brand claim, both individually and compliantly.

Within an animation, the rings merge with the content of the film. By offsetting the film within the ring contour, our brand claim becomes visible.

The rings are a strong, determining element of our brand. It is the connecting element that all channel-specific solutions have in common and creates clear branding and recognisable communication.

 

Audi has developed software for all applications in moving image communication that enables error-free CI compliance implementation of motion branding.

Overview of possible applications

The appropriate motion branding must be used for moving picture contributions. Depending on the length and application of the contribution, the following guidelines apply.

Length in seconds Opener Short version Ending Dealer ending
< 15 sec. mandatory
15 - 30 sec. (option 1) mandatory optional
15 - 30 sec. (option 2) mandatory
> 30 sec. mandatory optional
Application Opener Short version Ending Dealer ending
TV- / Cinema spot mandatory
TV- / Cinema spot dealer mandatory
TV reminder spot
Application Opener Short version Ending Dealer ending
Showroom films mandatory*


*Branding is optional within the Audi environment - mandatory outside Audi dealer's own channels.

Application Opener Short version Ending Dealer ending
Audi website
Explanatory films optional*
Online banners Films mandatory (option 1) mandatory (option 2)


*Branding is optional within the Audi environment - mandatory outside Audi's own channels.

Examples of masked rings

Reduced
With product, outside the rings
With product, outside the rings
Urban setting
Person in the image. Rings superimposed on the body.
Person in the image. Rings superimposed on the body.

Ending

General

The TVC ending consists of the rings animation, the brand claim and the Audi sound logo - our heartbeat.

The total length of the ending is five seconds and is used unchanged for every moving image contribution with a length > 60 seconds as well as every TV contribution.

 

Rings animation

The rings emerge from the image material of the ad, while the atmosphere and colour tone are retained. Finally, they turn black or white, depending on the background. The ending and the ad form a unit. 

When producing the ad, it is important to ensure that there is enough "free" (no vehicles and faces) moving image material available at the end to enable the rings to be generated from the content. Sufficient contrast must also be taken into account.

 

Brand claim

The Audi brand claim appears right after the rings fade out. Its width is given by the inner radii of the rings.

Country-specific translations of the brand claim are stored in the software and can be selected individually.

 

Heartbeat

The Audi Heartbeat is Audi's acoustic brand claim and is here strongly associated with the logo ending.

The cross-fade from the ad music to the Audi heartbeat must be seamless and harmonious. The software regulates the cross-fade automatically. The heartbeat must not be edited.

 

The size of the rings in the content

The rings are centred in the image. The ring size is given by the aspect ratio and can be scaled within a predefined framework in the software.

 

Minimum ring size
Maximum ring size

Dealership

General


When it comes to the use of TVC for dealers/retailers, there is the option of individual branding labelling. In the animation, the brand claim is supplemented with the dealer's contact details.

 

Opener

General


The opener offers for videos on social media the possibility to brand them with the rings. They can be placed immediately at the beginning of an ad or with a time delay. Rings and content appear to be wholly integrated.

In the opener, the rings emerge from the image material and - unlike in the TVC ending - after a few seconds, they merge directly back into it again. A subtle start that makes an impression. Heartbeat and brand claim are not present in the opener.

When producing the content, care must be taken to ensure that there is sufficient free image material at the beginning, so that the rings do not appear superimposed over a vehicle, logo or people. The use of the animation remains as is and can be generated with the help of the software.

The total length of the opener is two seconds and is used unchanged.

 

Short Version Branding

General


Short version branding is especially recommended for very short posts (< 15 sec) and is used exclusively for social media oder online banner. The use of the Short Version is mandatory for posts < 15 seconds up to posts with a total length of maximum 30 seconds, unless the opener is used.

The rings are generated from the image material and then shown in white or black. They can be positioned freely in the clip in terms of time. A visual presence as early as possible is desirable. Heartbeat and brand claim do not feature in the short version branding.

Social media specific formats are automatically recognisable by the software and are activated with the short version animation. Alternative versions of the branding (opener or ending) can be selected manually.

 

Placement of the rings in the content

Three positions can be chosen for the placement of the rings: center, top or bottom. Within the formats, the rings are always centered. In the case of the upper and lower position, there is the option to make a vertical fine adjustment within a predefined framework.

This flexibility allows short ads to show the content with products or people, without having to provide free image material for the placement of the rings.

When positioning the rings it is important to take into account channel-specific icons, interactive elements or input fields, as well as legal information, such as consumption data.

 

The size of the rings in the content

The ring size is scalable within a defined framework. The maximum ring size is given by the image aspect ratio and must be at least half a logo width away from the image format in all selected positions (top, bottom or center).

If you position the rings at the top or bottom, they must be at least one ring away from the top or bottom edge of the picture.

 

Timing

In the short version, the ring animation can be placed anywhere within the timeline of the content.

It must be ensured that the end of the ring animation coincides exactly with a cut in the content.

The ring animation has a minimum length of two seconds. and a maximum length of three seconds, depending on the hold time of the rings at the end of the animation, the length can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 3 seconds.

 

Don’ts

Rings are not recognisable. Contrast too low.
Rings superimposed on product.
The content is too dark.
Rings appear along with rings from the content.
Rings appear on faces.
The content is too busy and lacking in contrast.
Rings are overlaid by UI or text.

Software for the motion branding


With the software, any content can be branded quickly and easily. The following variants are available: ending, opener, dealership and short version.
 

The software offers/includes:

  • Clear, intuitive interface
  • Content loading via drag & drop
  • Automatic ratio detection and animations
  • Preselection - individual adjustment of ring size, colour and position
  • Easy adjustment of timing
  • For the Ending, the software automatically controls the cross-fading of the ad music into the heartbeat
  • Individual dealer/retailer advertising (contact address) is also possible, as is the brand claim in the relevant language

 

The software uses the FFmpeg code licensed under LGPLv2.1. This can be downloaded here.

 

Software Windows (v1.2.3)
This is where you can get the app for integrating the logo ending (or logo opener): Application Windows
ZIP
56.0 MB
Software Mac OS X (v1.2.3)
This is where you can get the app for integrating the logo ending (or logo opener): Application Mac
ZIP
73.7 MB