Transparency in Transit Advertising

Transit advertising has long been an effective medium for reaching diverse audiences in urban landscapes. From auto-rickshaws to cabs and buses, these moving billboards traverse the streets, offering brands unparalleled visibility.

However, over the past few years, the integrity of transit advertising has been compromised.
The emergence of unethical practices, such as the manipulation of photographic evidence to inflate the number of branded vehicles, has led to a sharp decline in the perceived value of this advertising medium.

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To combat this pervasive issue, gOGig.in has developed SpoTrue, an AI and ML-based audit tool designed to restore trust, accuracy, and transparency in transit advertising.

SpoTrue is not just a tool; it is a commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity in the industry. Below, we delve into the intricacies of SpoTrue, exploring its features, functionalities, and the unparalleled value it brings to the table.

Understanding the Problem: The Decline in Transit Advertising Integrity

In the past, advertising on auto-rickshaws, cabs, and buses commanded premium rates due to the high visibility and reach these mediums offered.
For instance, branding an cabs used to cost around Rs. 5000 per vehicle. However, the market has seen a drastic decline, with rates plummeting to as low as Rs. 2500 per vehicle. This decline is not just a result of market dynamics but is largely driven by unethical practices within the industry.

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In a bid to maximize profits, tools are used to manipulate images. Here’s how the manipulation works: A single cab is branded and then multiple photographs of that vehicle are taken. Using image editing software, these images are altered, making it appear as though branding was completed on multiple vehicles. For a project involving 1000 cabs, only 850 might actually be branded, but the report presented to the client falsely claims that all 1000 vehicles were branded.

This manipulation not only misleads clients but also devalues the entire transit advertising medium. As clients grow wary of these practices, they demand lower rates, leading to a race to the bottom. The once-prominent rate has now been halved, and the reputation of transit advertising has taken a severe hit. SpoTrue was conceived to address these challenges head-on, offering a solution that ensures accuracy, transparency, and trust.

SpoTrue: The Concept and Development

Being from the tech industry, we at gOGig.in recognized the need for a robust solution that could put an end to these unethical practices. We envisioned a tool that could analyze the data and verify its authenticity. Thus, SpoTrue was born.

SpoTrue is an advanced audit tool powered by cutting-edge AI and ML technologies. The development of SpoTrue was no small feat. Countless hours of brainstorming, coding, and testing went into creating a tool that could handle the complexities of transit advertising verification. The result is a powerful platform that can process large volumes of data, analyze it with unparalleled precision, and deliver reports that clients can trust.

How SpoTrue Works: A Deep Dive into the Functionality

Data Input and Processing

SpoTrue’s core functionality revolves around processing and verifying the data provided. The tool requires two primary inputs: an Excel file and a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation.

  • Excel File: The Excel file contains below points.
    The vehicle registration numbers.
    Name of the Driver
    Phone number of the Driver
    City
    Location
    Date

This serves as the foundational data against which all other information is cross-referenced.

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  • PowerPoint Presentation: The PPT contains images of the branded vehicles. From these images, SpoTrue extracts 20+ crucial information such as the Manufacturer, Model, Variant, Location, Background, Dents, patch and uniqueness of the vehicle, and more. This information is then compared against every other image for analysis to ensure consistency and accuracy.
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SpoTrue’s processing capabilities are nothing short of remarkable. For a batch of 4000 autos, the tool conducts up to 1 million processing operations. Each image undergoes a thousand processing tasks, ranging from measuring each data point to complex pattern recognition. This level of processing ensures that no detail is overlooked, and any discrepancies are promptly identified.

AI and ML Integration

The heart of SpoTrue lies in its AI and ML algorithms. These technologies enable the tool to analyze data with a level of precision that would be impossible for a human to achieve. The AI algorithms are trained to recognize patterns, detect anomalies, and flag any suspicious data points.

For example, if an image in the PPT shows a vehicle and that image is matched with some other image of the same vehicle taken from a different direction, SpoTrue will flag this as a potential tampering case. The tool also takes into account the color and model of the vehicle. If the color in the image does not match the dents and background for that particular image, to verify if the branding is done at the desired location or not, if not then this will also be flagged.

SpoTrue’s AI and ML algorithms are constantly learning and evolving. With each new dataset, the tool becomes more accurate, more efficient, and more reliable. This continuous improvement ensures that SpoTrue remains at the forefront of transit advertising verification.

Data Output and Reporting

Once the data has been processed, SpoTrue generates a comprehensive report that provides clients with a clear and accurate picture of their advertising campaign. The output is delivered in the form of an Excel sheet where tampered data is highlighted.

Each flagged entry is accompanied by a detailed explanation of why it was identified as tampered. This transparency is crucial for building trust with clients. They can see exactly where the discrepancies lie and understand the reasoning behind each flag.

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Dashboard Features

SpoTrue’s user interface is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. The tool includes a dashboard that allows clients to manage their data, track the status of their audits, and download their reports.

  • File Management: Clients can upload their Excel and PPT files directly through the dashboard. The dashboard also allows them to preview the uploaded data before processing begins.
  • Processing Status: The dashboard provides updates on the status of the audit. Clients can see how much of their data has been processed, what remains in the queue, and when the final report will be ready.
  • Cost Savings Metrics: One of the key features of the dashboard is the cost savings metric. This metric shows clients how much they have saved by using SpoTrue to verify their branding campaign. This information is invaluable for justifying their investment in transit advertising.
  • User Credits and Subscription Management: The dashboard also includes features for managing user credits and subscriptions. Clients can see how many credits they have remaining, purchase additional credits, and manage their subscription plan.
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Reporting Formats

SpoTrue offers three tiers of reporting, each designed to cater to different client needs:

  • Basic Report: The Basic Report provides a high-level overview of the audit. It includes the percentage of temperedness and the average cost savings. This report is ideal for clients who want a quick snapshot of their campaign’s performance.
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  • Advanced Report: The Advanced Report delves deeper into the data. It provides the specific registration numbers of the tampered vehicles, giving clients a more detailed view of the discrepancies. This report is useful for clients who need to take corrective action based on the audit findings.
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  • Pro Report: The Pro Report is the most comprehensive offering. It includes everything in the Advanced Report, plus additional details such as the time consumed during processing, the computing power used, and detailed reasoning behind each tampered entry. The Pro Report is ideal for clients who require a thorough analysis of their campaign and may be used for legal action.
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Client Interaction and User Experience

SpoTrue is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that clients can easily navigate the tool and access the information they need. The client dashboard is intuitive, with clear labels and easy-to-understand metrics.

  • Registration and Login: Clients can register for an account using their email address and create a password. Once registered, they can log in at any time to access their dashboard.
  • Data Upload and Preview: The data upload process is straightforward. Clients can drag and drop their files into the upload area, and SpoTrue will automatically begin processing the data. Before processing, clients have the option to preview their uploaded files to ensure everything is in order.
  • Reporting and Download: Once the audit is complete, clients can download their reports directly from the dashboard. The reports are available in Excel format, making it easy for clients to analyze the data and take action.
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SpoTrue is more than just a tool; it is a game-changer for the transit advertising industry. By leveraging the power of AI and ML, SpoTrue ensures that clients receive accurate, transparent, and trustworthy reports on their advertising campaigns. The tool’s ability to process large volumes of data, identify discrepancies, and provide detailed explanations sets it apart from anything else on the market.

For clients, SpoTrue offers peace of mind. They can invest in transit advertising with confidence, knowing that their campaign will be audited with the highest level of accuracy and integrity. As the industry continues to evolve, SpoTrue will remain at the forefront, setting new standards for transparency and trust in transit advertising.

With SpoTrue, gOGig.in is not just changing the game; we are redefining it.