DESKTOP DISPLAY ADS
LEADERBOARD
Dimensions: 728×90
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable sizes: 728×90 > 728×270
RECTANGLE
Dimensions: 300×250
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable Sizes: 300×250 > 600×250
RRM and IBV available for desktop
BILLBOARD
Dimensions: 970×250
File Size: 200 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
HALF PAGE
Dimensions: 300×600
File Size: 60 kb
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable Size: 300×600 > 560×600
ADHESION
Dimensions: 970×90
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, GIF
Animation: GIF, 15 sec max
This unit remains visible at the bottom of the browser window at all times.
CTA BRANDED FOOTER
Sponsor Content Only
Dimensions: 620 wide x up to 200 high
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG
Animation: None
Must include a prominent call to action
WIDE SKY
Dimensions: 160×600
File Size: 60 kb
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable Sizes: 160×600 > 320×600
NATIVE CLICK-OUT DISPLAY
Dimensions: 1200×628 (build size)
File Size: 1200 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags
Animation: None
These ads are built at 1200×628, but will
be displayed at smaller dimensions.
AD SPECS
HOMEPAGE TAKEOVER
DESKTOP
Units Included:
1| Rectangle x3, or Native Display Click-Out + 2 rectangles
2| Billboard
3| Adhesion
4| Leaderboard*
*For devices that can’t fit a 970px width, the Leaderboard is served.
Best practice: use a different layout for each rectangle. Instructions must indicate if the Native Display Click-Out is included.
HOMEPAGE TAKEOVER
MOBILE
Units Included:
1| Rectangle and/or Native Display, x4
2| Mobile Adhesion
Best practice: use a different layout for each rectangle. Instructions must indicate if the Native Display Click-Out is included.
NATIVE DISPLAY CLICK-IN
MOBILE
Units Included :
1| Mobile Banner
2| CTA Footer
3| Rectangle
NATIVE DISPLAY CLICK-IN
ARTICLE ROADBLOCK
Units Included:
All units optional
1| Leaderboard
2| Rectangle of Half Page*
3| CTA Footer
* Desktop only – built if requested
These ads appear on the Sponsored Content article page
NATIVE DISPLAY CLICK-OUT
Will click through to external destination
Units Included:
1| Native Display Ad
MOBILE ADS
LEADERBOARD
Tablet Only
Dimensions: 728×90
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable sizes: 728×90 > 1024×768
RECTANGLE
Dimensions: 300×250
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable sizes:
300×250 > 1024×768 (tablet only)
300×250 > 320×480 (mobile only)
RRM AND IBV AVAILABLE FOR MOBILE BROWSER,
AND EXTENDED REACH MOBILE APPS.
MOBILE BANNER
Dimensions: 320×50
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags
Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV
Expandable sizes: 320×50 > 320×480
RRM AND IBV AVAILABLE FOR MOBILE BROWSER,
AND EXTENDED REACH MOBILE APPS.
NATIVE CLICK-OUT DISPLAY
Dimensions: 1200×628 (build size)
File Size: 1200 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags
Animation: None
THESE ADS ARE BUILT AT 1200×628, BUT WILL
BE DISPLAYED AT SMALLER DIMENSIONS.
MOBILE ADHESION
Advance Local sites only.
Dimensions: 320×50
File Size: 60 kb Max
File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags
Animation: GIF, 15 sec max
AD SPECIFICATIONS FOR ADVERTISERS/AGENCIES PROVIDING CREATIVE
HTML5 CREATIVE:
HTML5 displays across all devices, unlike older creative formats such as Flash. It is the industry best practice for non-static creative and may include animation, video, multiple click throughs, widgets and other custom user interactions.
We prefer to either build original creative or follow a provided design layout to produce HTML5 ad tags to ensure ads meet ad server specifications so there is no delay with the campaign flight or error in campaign reporting. If you would like us to follow your provided layout, please include original files or assets. We will mimic your layout and user experience to the extent allowed by ad specs and our HTML5 design technology.
We can accept provided HTML5 ad tags (Doubleclick, for example) as long as ads are built to ad server specs outlined in this guide. This means that the provided tag must be SSL compliant and site-ready to serve as is. Any creative, CSS or other file references need to be hard-coded and hosted by the third party. Tags must be built with click-tracking and impression macros so that we can track and optimize for our ad servers. We cannot be responsible for tracking code, creative edits nor trouble shooting in third-party provided ad tags.
Mobile Apps – HTML5 ads are accepted on mobile apps. HTML5 creative for in-app must be MRAID formatted.
Responsive Rich Media (RRM) is HTML5 creative that includes video or expansion.
In-Banner Video (IBV) is HTML5 creative that plays video delivered inside of the display ad creative for a given placement rather than initiating the use of a native video player.
If providing creative components for expandable responsive rich media or in banner video ads, please adhere to the following:
- If possible, we prefer original, editable design files with links and fonts: Adobe PSD, INDD, Al.
- Ad creative/background should be sized per ad unit dimension at the proper proportion, 72 minimum or higher, formats: PSD, JPG, PNG, PDF.
- Any individual buttons/images intended to animate should be saved with a transparent background: 150px, formats: PNG, PDF, Al, EPS.
- We will build the expandable ad in our ad design platform where we combine the background creative, video (if included), links for buttons, expanded ad animation, and more.
- Ad must expand on click or countdown on hover and audio must be user initiated.
If providing video, we’ll need:
- The original video file as MOV, or MP4
- 30 seconds is max video length
- Frame rate: 24fps
- Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 4:3, and 6:5
SSL COMPLIANT CREATIVE:
Advance Local sites use a secure protocol ( https:// ) to protect users privacy and data. With this commitment to our users, any display ads which are scheduled to deliver on our local sites need to be SSL compliant. All components of third-party display ads, including creative and tracking, must be able to serve via SSL (https:// ) without any disruption to the browser, page, or user. Static creative (JPG, PNG, GIF) is secure by default.
FLASH/SWF FILES:
Flash is no longer supported across all desktop browsers. We must rebuild Flash creative into JPG, PNG, GIF or HTML5 (usually HTML5 to replicate animation). While we prefer original files to build the ads in-house, we can “pull apart” creative elements in a Flash/SWF file. That said, sometimes there’s a bit of image quality loss and if the fonts aren’t outlined, we’ll replace them with the closest available from our font library.
EXTENDED REACH NETWORKS:
We work with a number of network exchanges and ad servers (these are advertising sites provided through Google, App Nexus, Microsoft, etc.), each with their individual specifications. All accept static creative and many accept HTMLS following the specs outlined in this document. Please consult your account executive for details on specific requirements for extended reach.
VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS
INSTORY VIDEO ADS (OUTSTREAM):
Description: InStory Video Ads display on article pages. The ad will load automatically, only if a user scrolls down the page.
File Size: 5MB
File Format: mp4, .mov recommended for optimal performance
Length: 15 or 30 seconds highly recommended. Length can be longer than 30 seconds, but it might hurt completion rates and performance
Resolution: max 1920*1080 – min 640*360
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (4:3 not supported)
Codec: any Video Codecs format, excepted: ProRes 4444, HDV 720p60, Go2 Meeting 3 & 4, ER AAC LD, REDCODE
Sound: on
Note: The audio does not auto-start. The user will need to be mouse over the ad unit to initiate audio.
AUDIENCE EXTENSION – PRE-ROLL:
File Size: 100MB max upload, 400×300 or larger (video player size); actual player size varies in a live environment
File Format: MP4 or FLV or WebM
Video Bit Rate: 1-2MB
Length: Up to 30 Seconds
Resolution/Aspect Ratio: 960x540px (16:9)
Audio Code: Audio Initiated
Frame Rate: 24-25 FP
1×1: Available
Rich Media Enabled: Yes
Codec: H.264
TRUEVIEW IN-STREAM – EXTENDED REACH (YOUTUBE VIDEO):
Description: YouTube video ad format that plays the ad before or during a YouTube video and allows the user to view the ad or skip it after 5 seconds.
Companion Banner: 300×60 static display ad – optional
Length: 15 or 30 seconds highly recommended
Creative Tips: Make the first five seconds count. Use calls to action. Give users time to take action and use a static call to action in an end-card. Make it interactive so viewers do not just watch but also engage with the video.