Flash is the Platform for Online Video Ads - by Ari Paparo

Kate caught up with Ari Paparo who heads up DoubleClick's rich media division. The term "rich media," which had previously referred to mainly Flash and other animated ads viewed online, is quickly expanding to encompass the world of online video. Ari has a lot to share with us about all this.

Flash is king. He says that the online video ad biz is moving "wholesale" to Flash, a platform that is reliable and user friendly. Real and Media Player are not going to win this game; Flash will be the predominant platform to host advertising, expects.

Ari also fills us in on "in-stream" video, contextual advertising and the metrics that come into play with online video advertising.

Ari is a speaker at Streaming Media West, which Beet.TV will be covering.