Are Media Digital Advertising Guidelines

Are Media’s Advertising Guidelines outline best practice when interacting with our online network, and are in accordance with IAB guidelines.. They are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of all specifications and requirements when creating assets, to minimise errors and expedite campaign setup.

HTML5 Standard Banner

Asset
Max File Size
File Type
Max File Size of External Shared Libraries
Banner
80KB
HTML5, JPG, PNG, GIF
100KB

HTML5 Rich Desktop / Tablet

Asset
Max File Size
File Type
Max File Size of External Shared Libraries
Backup Image
40KB
JPG, PNG, GIF
100KB
Initial Load
100KB
HTML5, JPG, PNG, GIF
100KB
Polite Load / Expanded Panel
1MB
HTML5
100KB
User Initiated Load / Expansion
10MB
HTML5
100KB
Video (optional)
2.2MB – Polite Auto & 10MB – User initiated
MP4, OGG, WebM
100KB

HTML5 Rich Mobile

Asset
Max File Size
File Type
Max File Size of External Shared Libraries
Backup Image
40KB
JPG, PNG, GIF
100KB
Initial Load
80KB
HTML5, JPG, PNG, GIF
100KB
Polite Load / Expanded Panel
200KB
HTML5
100KB
User Initiated Load / Expansion
2MB
HTML5
100KB
Video (optional)
2MB
MP4, OGG, WebM
100KB
  • The IAB defines HTML5 Standard Banners as a basic banner with a single click through with contained behaviour.
  • HTML5 Rich Banners are more complex and may include video and audio, expanding functionality, multiple clickthroughs or other advanced features.
  • The Max File Size includes all ad assets such as HTML, CSS, JS and images. Shared libraries that are hosted by approved 3rd Party Vendors are not included in the Max File Size. For a list of supported libraries please contact your vendor representative.
  • A backup image is required for unsupported environments.

The following guidelines should work for any browser that supports HTML5. However, some creative functionality may not work as desired in all environments and should be thoroughly tested.

  • HTML5 creative must be SSL compatible to serve on Are Media sites
  • All rich media ad units and their content (HTML, CSS etc.) must be politely loaded, including shared libraries
  • Use the size meta tag to indicate the size of your creative – e.g. <meta name=”ad.size” content=”width=300,height=250″>
  • Hard-coded click-through URLs in your assets are not recommended, instead you should use a click tag variable. You must declare the click tag in your HTML –

e.g. <script type=”text/javascript”>var clickTag = “http://www.google.com”; </script>

  • Your creative must use the click tag variable as the click-through URL:

<a href=”javascript:window.open(window.clickTag)”></a>

  • SVG and WebFonts are not accepted
  • W3C standards must be followed and your HTML should have <IDOCTYPE html>, <html> and <body> tags

AD RULES

  • All creative is to include a valid clickthrough that opens in a new tab or window
  • Creative with a white background must include a 1px solid border
  • Animation can loop twice (play through 3 times)
  • No strobing effects or rapid animation permitted
  • Please refer to  Ad Matrix to see where each ad unit can run

RICH MEDIA RULES

  • User initiated expand only – hover for one second or click
  • Expanding formats must include ‘X’ in top right corner to close
  • Must expand to the left and down
  • Sound must be user initiated and muted by default, with a visible mute/unmute button
  • Auto play animation/video: 30 sec max duration
  • Animation/video must contain play/pause controls
  • Video aspect ratio: 16:9

ACCEPTANCE POLICY

  • Are Media reserves the right to reject or request revision to any creative which is deemed unsuitable, does not meet our specifications, or adversely affects site performance, other ad placements or user experience
  • Are Media may at its absolute discretion refuse to publish any advertising or content without reason

CREATIVE DELIVERY LEAD TIMES

Standard Creative – 3 business days
  • Site-served images
  • Non-rich media HTML5 creative
Intermediate Creative – 5 business days
  • HTML5 Riche Media creative
  • Large volumes of standard banners (10+ or more)
  • Solus eDMs which are formatted in HTML
Complex Creative – 15 business days
  • GumGum
  • Inskin

Please note the above creative lead times commence from receipt of all required creative

  • All rich media ads are required to be served via a 3rd party. Are Media accepts most 3rd party ad servers; please consult with your Are Media Campaign Manager for confirmation.
  • 3rd party creative must be live when submitted to allow adequate testing
  • Failure to provide creative within these turn-around times may delay campaign start times
  • All rich media ads are subject to testing

CANCELLATION DEADLINES

Cancellation of any campaign must be received in writing no later than 14 days prior to the campaign start date in order to receive a 100% refund. Cancellations after this time will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of the total cost of the campaign.

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