UNICORNFOR : Engagement
Marketing Platform
UNICORN FOR : Engagement lets you precisely configure the user segments you want to reach with your products or services, as well as the applications and websites where ads are delivered. With our proprietary delivery and keyword block lists supplemented by ad verification tools, we prevent brand damage and meet the strict standards major global companies set when delivering digital ads.
Furthermore, contextual targeting ensures brand suitability* and delivers ads to users you want to reach—those engaging with content highly relevant to your product or service and genuinely interested in what you offer. In addition, advanced and interactive ad formats such as 3D, AR, and VR capture user attention, drive engagement, and strengthen brand perception.
Brand suitability: An approach that controls where ads appear by taking into account the advertiser’s brand image and target users. Brand suitability can be considered an evolution of brand safety.
FOR : Engagement
For those seeking to leverage digital advertising to increase encounters and touchpoints with users
UNICORN FOR : Engagement Well-suited products and services
Automotive
Cars, motorcycles, and similar
Cosmetics
Makeup, skincare, and similar
Entertainment
Movies, entertainment, and similar
Food / Supplements
Food, supplements, and similar
Apparel
Clothing, sneakers, and similar
Sports
Viewing, spectating, and similar
Games
Console games and similar
Luxury
Jewelry, luxury watches, and similar
Gadgets
Cameras, computers, and similar
Housing / Interior
Rooms, furniture, and similar
Finance
Credit cards, QR payments, and similar
Travel
Tours, ryokan, and similar
UNICORN FOR : Engagement Why customers choose us
You can precisely configure user segments and the applications and websites where your ads appear. With our proprietary delivery and keyword block lists supplemented by ad verification tools, we prevent brand damage and meet the strict standards major global companies set when delivering digital ads. Even when narrowing segments reduces reachable user counts, our coverage—exceeding that of any single walled garden—secures both delivery volume and ad placement breadth.
01Reach out to target users
01REACH OUT TO TARGET USERS
Reach users you want to inform and users actively seeking information
By narrowing delivery to specified user segments, media outlets, and applications, we meet the strict digital advertising standards of major global companies. We then apply machine learning only to clean, useful data—stripped of various sources of noise such as inappropriate placements, accidental taps, fraudulent impressions, and non-human ad engagement—and adjust delivery based on user engagement. This allows us to deliver ads only to genuinely interested user groups: the users advertisers want to inform and the users actively seeking that information.
Contextual Targeting Delivery
Deliver ads that match the content
By specifying (configuring) keywords before delivery, the system analyzes online content related to those keywords and delivers ads matched to that content. For example, an automotive ad would be delivered alongside a car review article. In an actual ad campaign, we conducted a brand lift study on contextual targeting delivery and, compared with standard delivery, brand awareness improved by approximately 9%, brand interest by approximately 8%, and brand consideration by approximately 7%.
Deliver only to target users
You can segment and deliver based on a wide range of criteria, including age, gender, region, weather, OS, device, media, carrier, delivery time, interests, and frequency*.
Frequency | The number of times a single user has been exposed to an ad
Age
Gender
Region
Weather
OS
Device
Media
Carrier
Delivery Time
Interests
Frequency
02Reach potential users
02REACH POTENTIAL USERS
Acquire potential customers through fundamental metrics and a hybrid ad delivery engine
UNICORN FOR : Engagement delivers ads using machine learning trained on fundamental metrics (data) stripped of various sources of noise—such as inappropriate placements, accidental taps, fraudulent impressions, and non-human ad engagement. By inferring optimal user groups from these delivery results and casting a wider delivery net, we can reach previously unidentified, potential user groups beyond the original targets.
Furthermore, results from delivery to potential user groups make it possible to visualize which segments your messaging is reaching, helping you determine whether your initial target audience was correct and discover new potential user groups for your brand or product.
03Brand safety
03BRAND SAFETY
With multiple brand safety features
Support fundamental decision-making based on accurate metrics
Our proprietary delivery and keyword block lists supplemented by ad verification tools thoroughly exclude inappropriate websites and applications, fraudulent impressions, and non-human ad engagement, so reports reflect only engagement that directly correlates with user interest—allowing you to focus on fundamental decision-making.
Pre-exclude ad placements that could damage your brand image
We add the allow lists (whitelists) or block lists (blacklists) you provide to our proprietary delivery and keyword block lists*, and introduce third-party ad verification tools to pre-exclude inappropriate applications and websites.
The keyword block list aggregates words that pose a risk of damaging your corporate image. Even on websites and applications that are normally part of your delivery scope, ads will not be delivered to pages that use words on this list.
Our ongoing range of ad fraud countermeasures
UNICORN automatically evaluates whether ad placements are valuable using a proprietary fraud-detection algorithm. For both still image and video ads, click counts exclude accidental clicks, enabling fundamental ad value assessment.
Fraudulent Click Placement Detection
Detects and blocks placements that generate fraudulent clicks.
Blocking placements that cannot be visually confirmed
Automatically blocks placements that cannot be visually confirmed.
Bot Access Detection
Detects bot access and excludes it from bid targets.
Brand Lift Studies by Third-Party Organizations
For ad campaigns primarily focused on awareness (recognition, consideration, purchase intent, etc.), beyond the data UNICORN can collect directly, we commission third-party organizations to conduct brand lift studies and provide reports.
Major Automotive Manufacturer Campaign Example
We produced and delivered a 360° (3D) banner ad to drive user awareness following a vehicle model update. Users can view the vehicle’s exterior and interior from various angles in response to their actions. They can also change vehicle color or zoom in.
Delivery Design
Allow list delivery (delivery to websites and applications in the automotive, motorcycle, business, and outdoor categories)
Contextual delivery (delivery to websites and applications containing keywords related to automotive, vehicle models, features, and similar topics)
Duration
Approx.45days
Average Time Spent
Approx.4.3seconds
Brand Interest
+45%
Major Food & Beverage Chain Campaign Example
We produced and delivered an interactive banner ad (video and panel) to improve brand awareness and consideration. The video plays while the ad is in view, and clicking the panel below displays detailed product information.
Brand Interest
+21.1%
Purchase Intent
+20.3%
Cosmetics Manufacturer Campaign Example
We produced and delivered an interactive banner ad (still image and quiz format) to improve brand awareness and favorability. By answering questions (multiple-choice format), users are recommended products that match their needs.
Brand Interest
+5.9%
Purchase Intent
+17.2%
JICDAQ CERTIFICATION
Certified by JICDAQ as a Quality-Certified Operator
UNICORN meets the standards set by JICDAQ (Japan Institute for Digital Advertising Quality) forBrand SafetyandInvalid Traffic Countermeasuresand has been certified as a quality-certified operator.
Brand Safety Certification Standards
To prevent the leakage of advertising spend to illegal or inappropriate sites that may be embedded in the websites, content, and applications where ads are placed—thus maintaining the integrity of the internet advertising market—and to avoid delivering ads to pages or content unsuitable as placements for brands that prioritize brand equity, thereby protecting advertisers' brands and ensuring safety. (Excerpt from JIQDAQ: Brand Safety Certification Standards)
Invalid Traffic Countermeasures Certification Standards
To eliminate invalid traffic in ad delivery, ensure transaction integrity, prevent the leakage of advertising spend to fraudulent third parties, and maintain market integrity. (Excerpt from JIQDAQ: Invalid Traffic Countermeasures Certification Standards)
04Realizing new forms of user communication
04REALIZING NEW FORMS OF USER COMMUNICATION
Unlock the potential of digital advertising
and deliver a new form of user communication
Video ads can now be delivered to placements that previously only supported still images. This expands available ad inventory and enables delivery of 16:9 videos—commonly used in video advertising—to 600 × 500 pixel placements, broadening the scope of what you can communicate.
Video delivery is now possible in placements that previously only supported still images
Video ad delivery is now possible in ad slots that previously only supported still images. This secures additional inventory, and videos with a 16:9 aspect ratio, commonly used in video advertising, can also be delivered to 600×500 pixel ad slots, thereby expanding the scope of appeal.
Video delivery is now possible in 600 × 500 pixel placements
Delivery of 16:9 videos to 600px × 500px placements
16:9 video
Interactive creative that conveys appeal and drives engagement
By combining HTML and JavaScript with the latest technologies such as 3D and AR, you can deliver unprecedented interactive experiences and communicate the appeal of your product and brand more vividly. User interaction data is also captured and learned from to inform ad delivery.
3D Interactive Banner
Users can interact with 3D-rendered products on screen by touching to rotate, zoom, change colors, and more. This deepens product understanding and heightens user interest.
3D / 360°
3D
Examples of data that can be collected through interactive 3D ads
Below is data collected through an interactive 3D ad for the BMW 3 Series. Available data varies by product or service.
viewable impression
At least 50% of the ad area visible for at least 1 second (IAB standard)
click
Button Taps
CTR
Click / Viewable Impression×100
CTR
Click / Viewable Impression×100
change_item
Total Item Changes
change_item_x
Items changed x Total changes made to
(in the diagram example, when switching to headlights on or interior angle)
rotation
Number of 3D Model Rotations
zoom
Number of 3D Model Zoom Actions
reset
Number of times the 3D model was zoomed and then reset
stay time
Time Spent
360° (3D) Interactive Banner
Users can rotate rooms or products in full 360°. An icon can be added to the creative to indicate the 360° rotation feature.
3D / 360°
3D / 360°
AR (3D) Interactive Banner
AR experiences are available directly in the web browser. By holding up a smartphone to real-world spaces such as stores, event booths, or homes, users can see 3D products displayed in their environment. Using the front camera, they can also visualize themselves wearing makeup or apparel, reinforcing the brand’s world view. Sharing links to social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram can also be added to enable easy sharing.
AR / 3D
AR / 3D
Mini Games
Mini games tied to brand and product messaging or to specific campaigns and events let you entertain users while driving engagement.
Mini Games
Interactive Banners (Still Image)
Drive engagement and shift user attitudes with a range of interactive creative formats matched to your product, service, and messaging—including carousels, animations, impact ads, point pickups, quizzes, before-and-after, time-lapse, and countdowns.
Carousel
Switch between images and text via slideshow
Animation
Simple, snappy animation
Impact
Bold, animated motion
Point Pickup
Switch between images via slideshow or thumbnails
Quiz
Users answer multiple-choice questions and receive product or service recommendations matched to their answers
Before / After
Swipe to compare before and after
Time-Lapse
Image changes by time of day as the user slides
Countdown
Countdown to an event or release date
Interactive Banners (Video)
Drive engagement and shift user attitudes with a range of interactive creative formats matched to your product, service, and messaging—including image, carousel, panel, countdown, and interactive variations.
Image
A combination of image and video
Carousel
A combination of carousel and video
Panel
Selecting a panel (thumbnail) displays detailed product or service information
Countdown
Countdown to an event or release date
Interactive
A variety of interactions. In this example, clicking (tapping) the video enlarges it and starts playback
05
CREATIVE TYPE
Creative TypeAd Format
A wide range of creative types enables effective ad delivery
A wide range of creative types [ ad formats ] tailored to the platform, media outlet, or application where ads are delivered enables strong alignment with the destination and effective delivery without disrupting the user experience.
In-Banner
Image / Video
Submission file formats | JPG / PNG / GIF / MP4
Sizes | 640 × 100 / 640 × 200 / 600 × 500
Interaction | Entire ad is clickable
Delivery destinations | Within iOS and Android applications, mobile web sites
Notes | Still image and video ads delivered to display ad placements
-
In-BannerImage
FormatJPG / PNG / GIFSize640 x 100 / 640 x 200 / 600 x 500 / 800 x 1200 -
In-BannerVideo
FormatMP4Size640 x 100 / 640 x 200 / 600 x 500 / 800 x 1200 -
In-BannerVideo
FormatMP4Size1080 x 1080
In-Banner Native Image
Image / Video
Submission file formats | JPG / PNG / GIF / MP4
Sizes | 640 × 100 / 640 × 200 / 600 × 500
Interaction | Entire ad is clickable
Delivery destinations | Within iOS and Android applications, mobile web sites
Notes | Still image and video ads delivered to display ad placements
-
In-Banner NativeImage
FormatJPG / PNG / GIFSize1200 × 628 / 1920 × 1080 (16:9)ElementIcon + title + description / Background: white -
In-Banner NativeImage
FormatJPG / PNG / GIFSize1200 × 628 / 1920 × 1080 (16:9)ElementIcon + title + description / Background: black -
In-Banner NativeVideo
FormatMP4Size1920 × 1080 (16:9)ElementIcon + title + description / Background: white
05Creative type
06OMO
06
OMO
Online merges with offline
Ad campaign optimization through store visit measurement
By linking UNICORN-delivered ad campaigns with Beacon Bank, the real-world behavioral data platform provided by unerry, you can estimate store visits, visualize ad performance, and analyze results. Feeding those analysis results back into UNICORN further optimizes ad campaign delivery against your goals (KPIs).
POPULATION COVERAGE
Reach more than half of all users in Japan—approximately 66.2 million people
UNICORN’s monthly reach is approximately 66.2 million users.* This represents approximately 52% of Japan’s population,* meaning we can reach roughly half of all users in Japan.
Internal data.
As of December 2022.
EXPENSE
Costs required for placement and recommended settings
No initial registration or setup fees and no monthly usage fees are required. Operations can be tailored to a variety of KPIs (key performance indicators), such as maximizing acquisition while controlling CPA.
As with many walled gardens that leverage machine learning, learning cannot progress until a certain number of conversions (CVs) has accumulated; optimization therefore requires time or an increase in the daily budget. While no minimum spend is required, we recommend setting a daily budget of 100,000 JPY or more* for most ad menus.
Initial registration and setup fees
JPY0
Monthly usage fee
JPY0
Recommended daily advertising budget (daily budget)*
JPY100K+
This is the daily budget we primarily recommend for ad delivery campaigns (products) that emphasize performance. Because ad delivery campaigns (products) span a wide range of menus—including objectives aimed at increasing user engagement (such as awareness and brand lift), OTT ads for connected TV, and DOOH ads delivered to outdoor digital signage—the recommended daily budget is not uniform. UNICORN\'s strategists and consultants will listen carefully to your challenges and develop the optimal advertising strategy, including the appropriate ad formats. Please also consult us if producing creative in-house proves difficult.
For those seeking to leverage digital advertising to increase encounters and touchpoints with users
Engagement Issue
- •Wanting to deliver pleasant surprises that benefit users through advertising
- •Wanting to strengthen the brand with high-quality, creative advertising
- •Unsure which approach to take for user acquisition
- •Wanting to deliver ads that make effective use of marketing data
- •Wanting to strengthen creative but feeling resource constraints
- •Wanting to minimize the risk of brand damage while maximizing ad performance
UNICORN
MARKETING PLATFORM
REDEFINE DIGITAL MARKETING
UNICORN is a fully automated marketing platform built to be a standard for the digital marketing industry.
FOR : Performance
For those seeking effective ad delivery with KPI achievement as the top priority
FOR : Engagement
For those seeking to leverage digital advertising to increase encounters and touchpoints with users
FOR : Apple Ads
For those seeking effective advertising performance while reducing operational workload through automated Apple Ads management, keyword administration, and more
FOR : Listing
For those seeking to maximize advertising effectiveness with performance-based search ads while controlling acquisition costs and internal resources
FOR : Publisher
For media companies and SSPs seeking to connect with UNICORN to increase revenue and acquire quality ads and users
OUR SALES PARTNERS
OUR DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS
INQUIRYApplication
Inquiry (Applications to UNICORN)
Please use this form for UNICORN service applications (advertising placements), publisher registration applications (media and SSP), interview requests, press release inquiries, event and campaign information, recruitment, and other inquiries.
