How to Create and Launch a Product Level Video (PLV): Step-by-Step Guide

Purpose

This detailed guide will walk you through the entire process of creating and launching a Product Level Video (PLV) Campaign using the Dynamo platform. Each step in this cross-functional process is outlined, showing the responsibilities of Customer Success, Data Services, and the Creative Team. The guide includes all the key milestones and workflows, allowing you to activate a PLV campaign efficiently.

Pre-Requisite:

1. Access to the PLV feature in the ACE platform (open a support ticket if access is unavailable).

2. You must be part of a Pro-Creative or Pro-Complete partner tier, which requires utilizing Kargo’s Creative Services/Ad Design and Data Services.

3. Data Services ticket This form requires you to answer how many different product images the template(s) will be utilizing. Please be aware of what percentage of your catalog contains the number of images you are requesting. If you want 3 different product images in your video template, for example, the video will only serve for the products that have 3 images. If you are looking for multiple templates and various different image numbers (i.e. 2, 3), please be specific in this submission form. If you’d like to do a feed image audit prior to submitting this form, please submit a Data Services ticket requesting one.

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What is "Dynamo"?

It is the project name/tool name that allows PLV to work. It’s the platform/engine that includes a user interface that powers PLV. It is NOT currently part of the base Kargo Commerce Platform but will be integrate as part of the Kargo Commerce Platform in 2025. “Dynamo” is not an external facing product therefore should not be used in conversations outside of Kargo.

What is After Effects or AE?

AE software is recommended software to use for PLV in order for creative professional to “create stunning motion graphics. Animate a logo or character. Add eye-catching visual effects. With After Effects, you can add amazing motion to any video project”.

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Key Steps:

• 1. [Customer Success] Prepare for Product Level Video Activation
• 2. [Customer Success] Choose Your PLV Scenario
• 3. Design Mockup for PLV
• 4. [Data Services] Builds Dynamo Workflow
• 5: [Data Services] Notify the Creative Team When Step E in Onboarding Process is Complete
• 4. [Creative Team] If Necessary, Normalize and Resize All Product Images
• 5: [Creative Team] Completes Video Builds
• 6: [Data Services] Receive the After Effects Zip File from Creative Team
• 6: [Creative Team] Ensure the AfterEffects Zip File works.
• 7: [Data Services] Completes Dynamo PLV Workflow
• 8: [Data Services] Test Batch of Videos are Created
• 9: [Data Services] All Videos are Rendered and Added to the Product Catalog
• 10: [Customer Success] Get Client Approval of the Finished Video
• 11: [Customer Success] Launches the Campaign AND Add Tags for Spend Tracking

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a PLV Campaign:

1. [Customer Success] Prepare for Product Level Video Activation

1.1. Complete Product Level Video Form

The first step is to complete the Product Level Video Form. This checklist outlines all the key actions required before beginning the PLV campaign setup.

https://form.asana.com/?k=Sn3njHNZ579CDKMzgBmG6A&d=411637862096648

1.2. Complete the Dynamo Product Level Video Job Setup

Next, set up the Dynamo Product Level Video Job using the provided setup process in this article:

Kargo Commerce Dynamo Product Level Video Job Setup

2. [Customer Success] Choose Your PLV Scenario

Choose which scenario fits your current need:

Scenario	Where to Go Next

“I’ve never activated PLV for this account or brand.”

Proceed to Step 3 to create a new PLV activation.

“I’ve activated PLV for this account before, but I’m using a completely new catalog.”

Proceed to Step 3 to create a new PLV activation. The creative team will need to evaluate and potentially resize the images in the new catalog to prepare it for PLV use.

“I want to use an existing PLV design with a product catalog that already has PLV videos, but I need a brand new design.”

Proceed to Step 3 to create a new PLV activation. Any design changes, including overlay edits, will be treated as a new PLV activation.

“I want to use an existing PLV design with a product catalog that already has PLV videos, but I need to make small updates or edits to the overlays/design.”

Proceed to Step 3 to create a new PLV activation. Any design changes, even small updates to the overlays, will require a new PLV activation.

“I want to use an existing PLV design with a product catalog that already has PLV videos and I need no changes to the design or overlays, just updating product IDs.”

Go directly to Step 7. Using the previous PLV activation without design changes or overlay updates allows you to bypass creative team involvement.

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3. Design Mockup for PLV

In some cases, a mockup is required. If so, gather all necessary assets for the Creative Team to create the mockup.

Expand for Asset Requirements and Step Guide

STEP 1: [Customer Success] Gather Assets and Request a Creative Mock-Up Ticket and Begin Product File Preparation

Recommended Creative Assets to Obtain:

• Style Guide & Assets

  • Purpose: Style guides protect your brand identity and serve as inspiration.

  • Action: Obtain the style guide as a PDF if available.

  • Preferred File Types: .SVG, .PSD, .AI, .EPS, .AEP, .PRPROJ, and .PDF

  • Examples:

    • Logos: .SVG

    • Font files: .OTF or .TTF

    • Icons/Buttons: .SVG

    • Color palette: Hex codes

    • Patterns & graphics: .SVG

    • Past creative examples/catalogs: Editable .PDF, .SVG, or .PSD

  • Reference: Creative Best Practice

• Video Assets

  • Preferred File Types: .MP4 for video, .MP3 for audio

  • Intro/Outro Video: Provide a .MP4 video file at either 1x1 (1080x1080) or 9x16 (1080x1920), totaling around 6 seconds.

  • Alternative: If no video is provided, the creative team can use approved text animation as an intro/outro.

  • Audio: Provide an .MP3 file if the video requires background music.

• Overlays

  • File Types: Use minimal overlays like price or sale badges in .SVG format.

  • Important: These overlays should be included in the data feed.

  • Note: Do not use strikethrough pricing until PLV development is updated.

• Product File Preparation: Product/Data Assets Required

  • Account Name

  • Catalog Name

  • Product Feed URL

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STEP 2: [CUSTOMER SUCCESS] Open a Creative Ticket to Request Mock-Ups

• Action: Once the assets are ready, open a creative ticket to have mock-ups created.

• Separate Tickets: Request separate creative support tickets for 1:1 and 9:16 video formats if needed.

• Avoid Duplications: When duplicating tickets, ensure no attachments are included to prevent issues with Kargo’s Brand Folder.

• Reminder: Ask the creative team to reference this article.

• Approval Process: Wait for the creative team to complete the mock-ups, then review and approve them.

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STEP 3: [CREATIVE / AD DESIGN] Design PLV Creative Mocks

Creative Team or Ad Design team to create PLV Mock ups for Stakeholder Approval

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STEP 4: [CUSTOMER SUCCESS] Get Your Design Mock-Up Approved

• Action: Send mock-ups to stakeholders (clients) for approval.

• Feedback: Communicate any feedback and approval of the mock ups through Asana.

• Creative Team Action: The creative team should provide any elements (e.g., buttons, badges) that need to be linked in the data sheet, along with image pixel dimensions to the Data Team for the PLV Data Sheet creation

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From this point forward, the Customer Success and Creative teams will work in parallel with the Data Services team.…

Data Services Team	Creative Team / Ad Design
4. [Data Services] Builds Dynamo Workflow Data Services will be responsible for building the Dynamo Workflow that powers the PLV creation process. Expand for Next Step Based on the Customer Success ticket created that should have the information needed, Data Services Team begin to follow the steps on the following page: Data Services Guide to OnBoarding Dynamo Product Level Video Workflow 5: [Data Services] Notify the Creative Team When Step E in Onboarding Process is Complete Data Services will notify the Creative Team that they are ready to receive the After Effects Zip file.	4. [Creative Team] If Necessary, Normalize and Resize All Product Images If needed, normalize and resize all product images according to the PLV specifications to ensure consistency across video assets. Detailed Steps and Instructions Creative/Ad Design Services Team Action: The creative team will normalize, resize all images / image links in the catalog provided to prepare it for PLV Dynamo Activation. Output: Creative/Ad Design supplies the Customer Success Team of the new design name containing the resize URLs. (ex. PLV Resize) Design in Creative Suite in the KC Platform Customer Success Action: Go to Kargo Platform and perform the following steps: Locate the “PLV Resize” Design Assign the PLV Resize Design to an Image Slot and Save Update the catalog to apply the new design Be ready to provide Data Services with the Catalog URL for the next step Why this step? All catalogs and product images are unlikely to have the same image sizes, resolutions, aspect ratios etc. Without these images being normalized and resize prior to PLV activation will cause failures in PLV Dynamo. Reference: Creative/Ad Design Team Process: Resize Images 5: [Creative Team] Completes Video Builds The Creative/Ad Design Team will now create the product videos based on the provided mockups, images, and AE guidelines. Detailed Steps and Instructions Steps: Create the Videos in After Effects for PLV Activation Ensure the DATA TEAM completes [STEP E of the Data Team Process] Provide the After Effects Zip File for PLV Activation for PLV system (Dynamo) Integration to Data Services and Customer Success Provide Badge Image Links or Destination Image Links for Badges for Product Data Sheet Reference: The Creative Team's Guide for Building Product Level Videos (PLV) Using Adobe After Effects
6: [Data Services] Receive the After Effects Zip File from Creative Team Ensure that you receive Creative Suite Step 6 Output. You cannot proceed further until Creative Team completes Step 6.	6: [Creative Team] Ensure the AfterEffects Zip File works. Ensure that the Data Team confirms the Dynamo PLV platform accepts the After Effects Zip file provided. Once confirmed, Creative Team process is COMPLETED.

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7: [Data Services] Completes Dynamo PLV Workflow

Create video links in PLV Dynamo platform by following the article:

Product Level Video (PLV): Workflow and Guide for Kargo Data Services

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8: [Data Services] Test Batch of Videos are Created

Once the videos are built, Data Services will generate a test batch and provide them to the Customer Success team for client review and approval. A product set may be created for this purpose.

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9: [Data Services] All Videos are Rendered and Added to the Product Catalog

After testing, all videos will be fully rendered and added to the product catalog.

Product Level Video (PLV): Workflow and Guide for Kargo Data Services

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10: [Customer Success] Get Client Approval of the Finished Video

Submit the final version of the videos to the client for approval before proceeding to launch.

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11: [Customer Success] Launches the Campaign AND Add Tags for Spend Tracking

• Once approved, Customer Success will launch the PLV campaign.

• Customer Success must also ADD a Tag for PLV Spend Tracking:

How to ADD Spend Tracking

Step 1: Navigate to the ad you want to tag, you select tags for campaign

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Step 2: Select a Tag

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Step 3: Name the tag ‘Account Name_PLV’ and hit APPLY

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Step 4: Once the ad(s) are tagged, please go to the PLV Pipeline & Queue Tracker document and update the following:

1. Add Account Name and Account ID to the ‘PLV Tags’ tab

2. Add/update your launch details on the ‘Client Pipeline’ tab

3. Add/update your launch details on the ‘Dynamo Queue’ tab

Conclusion

By following these steps, cross-functional teams can efficiently collaborate to create and launch a Product Level Video (PLV) campaign using the ACE platform. This guide ensures smooth execution across departments, from onboarding to campaign launch, driving success for your client’s marketing efforts.

For more detailed steps on each process, please refer to the linked articles or contact your Data Services or Creative teams for support.