Best Practices for COVE/Merlin MetadataProducer Webinar, October 5, 2010

AGENDA

1. Project Merlin Update2. PBS.org Programming3. Metadata Best Practices4. Metadata Resources

PROJECT MERLIN UPDATE

• Merlin Admin Tool Release 1 Complete• PBS.org in private beta• PBS.org public launch: October 21, 2010• 1176 (and counting) web objects contributed

by producers and stations!• 10382 videos from COVE

BETA FEEDBACK

“First, let me congratulate you, and thank you, for providing truly one of the most visually exciting and informative websites on the Internet. I believe that you have taken over first place from Nat Geo for visual appeal, no small accomplishment. You are also the best in info diversity. You are among the best in information sophistication.”

THANK YOU!

PBSi PROGRAMMING PRINCIPLES

• Expose the depth & breadth of PBS programs & topics by leveraging Merlin

• Surface long & short form videos with COVE• Drive broadcast tune-in • Drive online traffic and engagement• Spotlight station content and drive traffic to

local sites

CORE OF THE PBS.ORG REDESIGN

MERLIN+ COVE =

TOPIC PAGES• National and station content

• Lightly curated and dynamically driven

• Slots 1 & 2: Pinned with editorially selected content

• Slot 3: Local station content (also, every 5th slot after)

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METADATA BEST PRACTICES

• Informed by review of PBS.org Beta site – PBS Staff– Producers– Stations – PBS Viewer panel

• Designed for optimal presentation in many platforms

• Constantly evolving as new platforms/needs are added

COVE: MORE THAN THE PORTAL

• All COVE videos should be presented to stand alone, in any platform:– PBS.org– Producer Sites– Video Portal– Mobile (iPhone & iPad Apps)– PBS Widgets– Newsletters– Social Media Outreach– API: Destination Unknown

COVE PROMO VIDEOS

Promo videos should be tagged in COVE, to avoid duplicates in Merlin

WRITING TITLES

Strong examples Weak examples

•“Tradition of Strength” – too vague, could apply to many things.

•“Melanie Shmois” – who is she, why is she covered/interviewed?

•“Howard Dean”– on what, health care reform, 2010 midterm elections, etc?

•Episode numbers, or full dates

EPISODE DATES NO LONGER WORK

Special Headline Cases•Segmented programs•News & Public Affairs programs

Current titles• Date • Episode number

Permissible in COVE, but is unviable in Merlin

Options • Segment video in Cove• Producer suggestions

CHOOSING GOOD IMAGES

• Images dramatically impact click-thrus• Use striking photos, not program logos or text• Don’t repeat images for multiple objects• Try to avoid screengrabs when possible• Hi-res requirements: 16x9, at least 640x360

SMART TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

SMART TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

1. COVE = Merlin

2. Maintain the collective harmony

3. Meet user expectations

4. Assign topics as with your producer sites

5. Threshold to consider

6. Don’t forget the tags

SHORT DESCRIPTIONS

• Provide the “hook” to grab a reader• Set user expectations• Highlight non-articles such as games, quizzes,

photo galleries, etc.• Keep it short and clear

METADATA RESOURCES

• Producer Exchange: www.PBS.org/exchange– Merlin Resource Center: Merlin Content

Standards and Specifications– COVE: COVE Tips and Tricks

• Station Remote Control (for stations)• Your Program Manager• Problems: Use JIRA, choose “Video” or

“Merlin”

QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. Producers: Help us help you

2. PBSi Content and Promotions Team

3. Flagging in Merlin

QUESTIONS

CONTACTS

Producer Products and Services, PBS InteractiveMatt Schoch703.739.8489meschoch@pbs.org

Content and Promotions, PBS InteractiveJessica Duda703.739.8696jaduda@pbs.org