If a tree falls in the woods, but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? You've probably heard that hoary old chestnut once or twice before. So let's update it to the age of digital marketing agencies. If you create a brilliant marketing campaign, but its effects can't be accurately measured, is it really succeeding? New tools and sharper measurements Recently, at this year's Advertising Week, YouTube announced an expansion to its TrueView in-stream ad format, one that allows viewers to take actions while watching ads. These actions include purchasing movie tickets, booking vacations and downloading apps. Companies such as 20th Century Fox, Maybelline, and Vodafone have tested the service, and have reported intriguing results. Vodafone, for example, reported a 3.5% click-through rate and significant improvements in ad recall. The idea behind the upgrade is simple: While a video ad for a new film might intrigue a viewer, it can just as easily be forgotten a few minutes later, meaning action is never taken. YouTube's new system allows viewers to immediately open an interface that shows theater and ticket availability, allowing the viewer to book a ticket while the experience is occurring. YouTube also announced a new addition to its Google Measurement Partners program. Now, in addition to Oracle Data Cloud and Nielsen Data Solutions, digital marketing agencies and marketers can measure their data through third-party research firm IRI. IRI is supporting Google's new brand lift metrics, which show advertisers the following data:

• Positive response rate

• Number of lifted users

• Cost per lifted user

• Headroom lift

• Absolute brand lift

• Relative brand lift

• Control positive response rate

IRI is supplying Google with e-commerce and in-store sales data to show the precise impact YouTube ads are having on sales -- precious insight for any marketer. Pinterest has also announced new measurement options associated with Oracle Data Cloud's Moat Measurement (for viewability) and NinthDecimal (for foot traffic). Pinterest reports achieving 90% viewability for Pinterest's in-app ads, which is much higher than Moat's industry benchmark of 57%. NinthDecimal, meanwhile, analyzed billions of ad impressions across numerous industries. The conclusion: 93% of Pinterest campaigns delivered an increase in foot traffic. These studies illustrate the critical importance of having refined measurement tools that can offer brands quantifiable evidence of campaign impact. In an era where accurate ROI calculations are a competitive imperative, access to such tools has become essential for almost any brand operating in the digital advertising space. The right digital marketing agency can help you measure success We work at the intersection of creativity and technology, here at BIGEYE. We believe that effective campaigns require brilliant ideas and the advanced technological tools needed to implement them. If you'd like to partner with one of the most dynamic digital marketing agencies around, please contact us today for more information.