1. Best Practices for COVE/Merlin Metadata Producer Webinar, October 5, 2010

2. AGENDA 1.Project Merlin Update 2.PBS.org Programming 3.Metadata Best Practices 4.Metadata Resources

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. THANK YOU!

6. 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

7. CORE OF THE PBS.ORG REDESIGN MERLIN + COVE =

8. 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 5 th slot after) 2 3 3 1

9. 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

10. 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

11. COVE PROMO VIDEOS Promo videos should be tagged in COVE, to avoid duplicates in Merlin

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. SMART TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

16. 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

17. 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

18. METADATA RESOURCES Producer Exchange: www.PBS.org/exchangewww.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”

19. QUALITY ASSURANCE 1.Producers: Help us help you 2.PBSi Content and Promotions Team 3.Flagging in Merlin

20. QUESTIONS

21. CONTACTS Producer Products and Services, PBS Interactive Matt Schoch 703.739.8489 meschoch@pbs.org meschoch@pbs.org Content and Promotions, PBS Interactive Jessica Duda 703.739.8696 jaduda@pbs.org jaduda@pbs.org