Spirit – Video Email (optional) + Themebuilder | Email Template

Sending interactive video campaigns directly to subscriber inboxes usually breaks across legacy mail clients without proper HTML5 fallbacks and inline media queries. Spirit provides a structured HTML email template system featuring optional HTML5 video integration and online Theme Builder access. Built with responsive media queries and inline CSS, this template helps email developers and marketers construct modular newsletter layouts for platforms like Campaign Monitor and MailChimp.

Best for: Email marketers and agencies running rich media campaigns targeting Apple Mail, iOS, and major desktop email clients.
Not suited for: Campaigns targeted exclusively at the Android Gmail App, which lacks support for inline HTML5 video elements.

Technical Specifications

Core Functionality & Layout Control

• HTML5 Embedded Video: Features dual MP4 and OGG/OGV input options for broader browser rendering, alongside a configurable fallback image for non-supporting email clients.
• Hosted Theme Builder Access: Includes access to an online builder featuring drag-and-drop module organization, component duplicating, and layout color controls.
• Typography & Styling: Integrated with hosted Proxima Nova web font support for compatible clients, automatically reverting to standard system fonts when unsupported.
• Responsive Structure: Built using media queries and full-width fluid modules to adjust across screen resolutions on mobile devices.

Client Compatibility & Rendering Details

• Full HTML5 Video Support: Works natively in Apple Mail, iPad, and iPhone email environments.
• MailChimp Handling: MailChimp strips raw HTML5 video elements during delivery; exports automatically switch to a fixed 600px fallback image.
• Webmail Adjustments: Gmail ignores background image stretching (resolved by using background images up to 2000px wide). Outlook clients do not render background images.
• Litmus Tested: Verified across major readers including Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, Thunderbird, Safari, and Apple Mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the video fallback mechanism work in unsupported email clients?

When an email client like Outlook or MailChimp encounters the template, it bypasses the HTML5 video tag and renders a pre-configured 600px static image. This prevents broken code blocks and maintains visual layout integrity.

Are the Theme Builder source files included in the direct download?

No, the download package contains access links and authorization to utilize the hosted online Theme Builder tool, allowing you to generate and export your email layouts directly.

Which mobile operating systems natively play the embedded video?

Video plays natively inside Apple Mail on iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads. Android devices using the standard Gmail app will display the configured fallback image.