One of each listed unit size is required:

  • 180x90 "Leaderboard Button" (50k max) type: GIF, JPG, PNG or HTML5 
  • 300x270 "Rectangle" (150k max initial load) type: GIF, JPG, PNG or HTML5 - standard IAB 300x250 rectangle units also accepted
  • 300x600 "Half Page" (200k max initial load) type: GIF, JPG, PNG or HTML5 
  • 845x211 "Custom Billboard" (200k max initial load) or  728x90 "Leaderboard Banner" (150k max initial load) type: GIF, JPG, PNG or HTML5


Notes:

  • Please provide click URL information at time of creative asset delivery
  • [Recommended] Two separate story-boarded, 180x90 "Leaderboard Button" creative units may be submitted for placement and positioning on either side of the Area Development masthead.
  • Multiple sets of themed or storyboarded creative accepted. A set includes one of each listed unit size. Each set is served during the same pageview to various slots on the page creating a total page takeover effect. 
  • All banners with a white background must have at least a 1px border
  • Ad unit and landing page must have detailed disclosures as appropriate; in particular, full terms and conditions of the offer must be easily accessible on the landing page.
  • “Retina” versions of creative units are accepted if the aspect ratio created by the stated dimensions for that unit remains the same and stated file size limits are adhered to.
  • Any in-banner video placement must be explicitly negotiated within insertion order and may be subject to additional hosting and setup fees.
  • Submit all creative to traffic@areadevelopment.com
  • Due 5 business days before scheduled broadcast.
  • If submitting multiple sets of creative, please separate each set of creative into a single attachment or folder within a zipped package.  Please make sure to label each attachment semantically and provide clear processing directions mapping each attachment to its associated campaign(s).


Publisher Hosted HTML Creative: 

  • Please provide a failover image for any publisher hosted, complex creative execution.
  • Please provide click URL and ensure all click action URL’s reference the global variable “window.clickTag”
  • All IAB standards governing HTML5 creative should be observed and followed as closely as possible. 
  • Build, testing and compiling instructions should also be included. 
  • For in-banner video units: Client hosted, “Ready-to-Serve” video (see section 2.2.1 of Digital Video In-Stream Ad Format Guidelines) should be referenced within delivered code. In instances where publisher hosts the video, client must provide instructions for how to update the endpoint for the hosted video in delivered source code.


3rd Party Ad Serving:

  • If using a third-party ad server, please provide instructions for inserting publisher click tracking parameter within the provided ad tags
  • Compatible with most 3rd party ad servers and can accept 3rd party served tags including DART, Sizmek, Atlas Pointroll, Mediaplex and others
  • All common rich media vendors accepted.
  • Campaign targeting, frequency capping or impression limits from third-party served campaigns is prohibited unless disclosed by agency/client and expressly authorized by Area Development Online
  • Any unauthorized 4th party calls may be subjected questioning and removal.


Animation:

  • Banner ads with a continuous animation loop must have a 15 second delay between the last frame and the first frame of animation


In Banner Audio and Video:


In Banner Video Technical Requirements:

  • Non-streaming videos can be a maximum of one minute and 2.2MB download size (download is initiated at first expansion or by clicking “play” on a placeholder within the expanded panel)
  • Client is responsible for hosting of video. Or, hosting services can be coordinated with the Area Development traffic department (additional fees may apply.)
  • In instances where publisher hosts the video, the physical asset should be delivered in “Ready-to-Serve” format as specified by IAB (see section 2.2.1 of Digital Video In-Stream Ad Format Guidelines)


Creative cannot:

  • Use “bait and switch” tactics, e.g. advertising that promotes an unavailable product or price as a means of luring the user into purchasing a different product.
  • Display false functionality - contain graphics that simulate interactivity where no such interactivity exists.
  • Resemble error messages or Windows/Mac/Unix dialogue boxes.
  • Prompt a download.
  • Mimic news headlines in design, tone, third person sentence structure or topic.