ISCI
Encyclopedia
An International Standardized Commercial Identifier (ISCI) code conforms to a standard used to identify commercial
s (aka "spots") aired on commercial television
worldwide, for TV stations, ad agencies, video post-production
houses, radio stations and other related entities to identify commercials for airing.
It was first developed in 1970 by and for American local affiliate
TV stations, the TV networks that serve the affiliates, and ad agencies, to distribute commercial television advertisements more efficiently. The ISCI coding system has been maintained and operated by the American Association of Advertising Agencies
(AAAA) and the Association of National Advertisers
(ANA) since 1992. Prior to then, ISCI was independently maintained by its users.
An ISCI code is usually a set of 8 characters, the first four being alphabetic, and the remaining four being numeric, in the format 'ABCD1234' . The alphabetical characters usually represent the advertiser (some examples are QWAN for Wells Fargo
Bank, KOCL (and more recently CL) for Coca-Cola
, and PEMX for Pepsi
), and the numeric characters usually represent the spot itself, with different numbers used for either different spots, or different versions of the same spot.
For example, a :30 second spot might have a code of XECA1263, while the same commercial in a shortened :20 or :15 version (or in a different language such as Spanish) might have a slightly different code of XECA1264. The ISCI code is unique to each individual commercial. The slightest change to an ad will lead to the use of another code. In some cases where a spot is updated or changed, or subject to change the suffix R followed by a number indicates a revision. For example, YHTX6265 would be the ISCI used by Home Depot for a garden product. If the price changed and the ad was the same otherwise, YHTX6265R1 may be used to indicate that it is the first revision of that spot.
ISCI codes are usually printed on the video cassette label of a commercial, as well as being present in the production slate and/or countdown
preceding the commercial on the tape or on digitally transmitted files through MIJO, Extreme Reach, Telestream, DGFastChannel, Firstspin, Slingspot, or other media distributors used by the industry.
The ISCI coding system was replaced by a new system developed by the AAAA & ANA called "Ad-ID
". Ad-ID is similar to ISCI, but is 12 digits in length (four alpha and eight alphanumeric characters). This literal extension of ISCI was developed to better suit the identification of advertisements outside of television broadcasting, such as print and the internet. Many delivery traffic situations (such as MIJO and DGFastChannel) allow for users to create their own 12 character alphanumeric codes without the need to participate in the official Ad-ID system structure.
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
s (aka "spots") aired on commercial television
Commercial Television
Commercial Television was the third free-to-air broadcast television station in Hong Kong. It first went on air in 1975, and ceased transmissions in 1978.-History:...
worldwide, for TV stations, ad agencies, video post-production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
houses, radio stations and other related entities to identify commercials for airing.
It was first developed in 1970 by and for American local affiliate
Affiliate
An affiliate is a commercial entity with a relationship with a peer or a larger entity.- Corporate structure :A corporation may be referred to as an affiliate of another when it is related to it but not strictly controlled by it, as with a subsidiary relationship, or when it is desired to avoid...
TV stations, the TV networks that serve the affiliates, and ad agencies, to distribute commercial television advertisements more efficiently. The ISCI coding system has been maintained and operated by the American Association of Advertising Agencies
American Association of Advertising Agencies
The 4A's is an American advertising agency trade association.Founded in 1917, their website states that 4A's membership "produces approximately 80 percent of the total advertising volume placed by agencies nationwide." The association issues annual awards for the best agencies, in different...
(AAAA) and the Association of National Advertisers
Association of National Advertisers
The Association of National Advertisers is a representative body for the marketing community in the United States of America. ANA’s membership includes over 400 companies with 9,000 brands that collectively spend over one hundred billion dollars in marketing communications and advertising....
(ANA) since 1992. Prior to then, ISCI was independently maintained by its users.
An ISCI code is usually a set of 8 characters, the first four being alphabetic, and the remaining four being numeric, in the format 'ABCD1234' . The alphabetical characters usually represent the advertiser (some examples are QWAN for Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
Bank, KOCL (and more recently CL) for Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, and PEMX for Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
), and the numeric characters usually represent the spot itself, with different numbers used for either different spots, or different versions of the same spot.
For example, a :30 second spot might have a code of XECA1263, while the same commercial in a shortened :20 or :15 version (or in a different language such as Spanish) might have a slightly different code of XECA1264. The ISCI code is unique to each individual commercial. The slightest change to an ad will lead to the use of another code. In some cases where a spot is updated or changed, or subject to change the suffix R followed by a number indicates a revision. For example, YHTX6265 would be the ISCI used by Home Depot for a garden product. If the price changed and the ad was the same otherwise, YHTX6265R1 may be used to indicate that it is the first revision of that spot.
ISCI codes are usually printed on the video cassette label of a commercial, as well as being present in the production slate and/or countdown
Countdown
A countdown is a sequence of counting backward to indicate the seconds, days, or other time units remaining before an event occurs or a deadline expires. Typical events for which a countdown is used include the launch of a rocket or spacecraft, the detonation of a bomb, the start of a race, and the...
preceding the commercial on the tape or on digitally transmitted files through MIJO, Extreme Reach, Telestream, DGFastChannel, Firstspin, Slingspot, or other media distributors used by the industry.
The ISCI coding system was replaced by a new system developed by the AAAA & ANA called "Ad-ID
Ad-ID
Ad-ID is the advertising industry standard unique identifier for all commercial assets. It replaced the ISCI system in 2003. It is used to track advertising from the point of concept, through creation and on to distribution, and the media...
". Ad-ID is similar to ISCI, but is 12 digits in length (four alpha and eight alphanumeric characters). This literal extension of ISCI was developed to better suit the identification of advertisements outside of television broadcasting, such as print and the internet. Many delivery traffic situations (such as MIJO and DGFastChannel) allow for users to create their own 12 character alphanumeric codes without the need to participate in the official Ad-ID system structure.