Checking creative acceptance before the booked start date

Before a CTV booking starts, confirm each intended ad version is accepted for its specific supplier, placement and delivery path, then assigned to the booked line. Submission, platform approval and readiness on that placement are separate checks. Give any pending or rejected placement a named owner and a dated resolution.

Work back from the start time

Record the booked start time and time zone. For each placement, note its current material deadline, file or tag requirements, submission method and approval contact. Leave time to correct and resubmit.

Nine’s published 9Now in-stream VAST specification requires assets at least five business days before launch for that format; it sets no deadline for another supplier.

Identify the approved message, exact delivered asset or tag, duration, destination and stable version ID. Similar filenames are a poor substitute for an ID that both buyer and supplier can recognise.

Check every acceptance gate

Check the status of creatives and the creative review process for the actual creative and deal, rather than relying on a general ‘approved’ message. Ask for the status tied to the specific placement.

Request a placement preview where available to check the intended edit, end card and any overlay. A preview helps review the appearance; it does not replace acceptance confirmation.

Resolve a rejection and record the decision

Keep the rejection reason, affected version, time received and correction owner together. Decide whether to repair the asset, use an already accepted alternative that meets the booking, or agree to a changed start. Recheck the corrected asset’s status and assignment.

Where a creative changes after review, confirm acceptance again for the intended placement. Check the actual status before making decisions about delivery.

If acceptance will miss the booked start, tell the commercial owner before changing dates, inventory or creative. Record how the delay affects the delivery commitment and billing terms. The launch check closes when each required placement has an accepted, assigned version or an approved contingency.