Create a rule to auto-schedule fillers to fill the program block

While scheduling a fixed duration program, there are chances that holes might be left even after scheduling assets in the ad media. In such cases, these holes can be auto-filled by configuring the ad automation rule. 

To configure a new ad automation rule for auto scheduling an ad slate after every asset segment  except the last segment, and an ad slate along with a filler after the last asset segment, follow the below steps:

1. Click the Ad Automation label on the top-right side of the PLANNER application.

2. In the Ad Automation pane, provide a rule name that helps you identify, prioritize, and update the ad automation rule when multiple rules are available. 

3. Filter assets by Asset Duration → Greater than (>) → <asset duration>. This ensures that the rule will be applied to all assets having a duration greater than the specified time duration. In this case, 1 minute is taken as an example.  

Note: You can choose a different asset duration per your requirement or choose any other filters such as Asset Type, No. of Segments, etc.

4. Leave the default settings in the Flight duration as it is. This ensures that the rule will be applied to all the schedules starting from the current date. 

5. Provide the Ad break pattern.

   1. Select All ad breaks from the Apply to list so that the rule will be applied to all ad breaks available in the asset.

   2. Configure an ad slate by following one of the below options:

• Option 1: Schedule assets from the content manager

1. Select the Ad media type as Asset(s).

2. Locate the required media corresponding to the ad slate from the content manager and drag it to the box displayed below Asset(s).

• Option 2: Keep the ad spot as Single

  1. Select a media type corresponding to the ad slate from the Ad media type.

  2. Select the Ad spot as Single

  3. Provide the duration range of the ad media (minimum and maximum duration). 

                                                                                                                       

3. Click the plus icon to the right of the Apply to list to add an ad break pattern only for the last ad break.

4. In the Apply to list, select Last Ad Breaks. 

Note: Since the ad break pattern Last ad break is more explicit than All ad breaks, it gets more priority. This pattern will be applied to the last ad break scheduled in the asset.

5. Follow one of the below options to schedule an ad slate and a filler only on the last ad break.

   1. Configure an ad slate 

• Option 1: Schedule assets from the content manager

1. Select the Ad media type as Asset(s).

2. Locate the required media corresponding to the ad slate from the content manager and drag it to the box displayed below Asset(s).

                                                                                    

• Option 2: Keep the ad spot as single

1. Select a media type corresponding to the ad slate from the Ad media type.

2. Select the Ad spot as Single

3. Provide the duration range of the ad media (minimum and maximum duration). 

Note: One asset belonging to the ad media type will be picked from the pool of assets and scheduled in the ad break.

2. Click the ADD MORE link to schedule fillers.

   1. Select a media type corresponding to the ad slate from the Ad media type.

   2. Select the Ad spot as Filler.

Once done, fillers will be scheduled to fill the holes available in the fixed duration.

Note: One asset from the pool of assets belonging to the ad media type will be picked and scheduled in the ad break.

6. Save the rule. 

7. Use the left pane of the Ad automation pop-up to assign the priority.
   
   

Once done, test out the rule by scheduling an asset.