Abstract: A video customization system is disclosed that allows the user of a client system (the client) to easily create a customized video advertisement. A client system accesses a remote system through a network, and is presented with a graphical user interface (GUI). The client may select a video from a variety of preset video templates, or may upload his or her own video for modification in the system. The GUI allows the user to input a variety of textual advertising information and upload audiovisual overlays. A renderer on the remote system applies the audiovisual overlays to the video template to create a customized video advertisement. The system also allows the user to add a large variety of special effects to the video, which may be applied to audiovisual overlays, the entire video, or a portion of the video.

Abstract: A distributed video advertisement marketplace is disclosed. The system enables one or more intermediary systems to access the video templates and functionality of a remote system by using remote procedure calls. A remote system responds to these remote procedure calls with an appropriate remote procedure call response. The intermediary system may be a web server and it may be accessed by a client system by using a web browser. The intermediary system may present a customized user interface to the client system that matches the look and feel of the rest of the content on the intermediary system. The user may purchase a video advertisement using an electronic commerce form.

Abstract: A database and server system that stores and serves generic video ad templates which use generic placeholder text and placeholder audio. An advertiser chooses a particular generic video ad template and encodes the ad template with information (both visual text and audio) specific to the advertiser to create a complete ad. The complete ad can then be served on subscribing web sites to targeted users.