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Online Banner Advertising Specifications


To download the PDF version of our online ad specs sheet, click here.

1 General Guidelines
1 Newsletters
2 Flash
3 Expandables
5 Video
6 Sponsorship Opportunities
7 Mobile Specs

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Important Information
  • Expanding Panel Z-index should be setup as 1.
  • Wmode should be set as Transparent
  • Any creative with a white background must have a minimum 1-pixel border to differentiate ad from editorial content.
  • All creatives are subject to final approval by Haymarket Media Inc.

Functionality
  • A free rich media production and web-based workflow tool, Double Click Studio is available if you choose not to go through a 3rd party vendor. For further details, please contact your Sales Rep.
  • Sound: Sound must be off by default on ad unit expansion. Sound must stop on roll-off/close and must have a visible mute/unmute button.
  • Video: Additional video/sound content can be downloaded on click initiation (10 mb limit). Please include a clear call to action indicating that the user will be downloading a larger file.

Timelines and Delivery
  • All material must be delivered at least 2/3 working days prior to campaign launch to ensure technical compatibility and internal concept approval.


NEWSLETTERS

Emails
  • Positions Available: 728x90 - 160x600 - 300x250 - TEXT

Banner Creative
  • All banner ads for e-mail newsletters must be submitted as either a jpg or gif.
  • Max file size is 40k.
    - We do not encourage third party tags for newsletter delivery, but when necessary, only no script tags will be accepted.
    - NO FLASH

PLEASE NOTE: Although we can accept animated gifs, Outlook 2007 and above does not display past the first frame due to a default setting. Please ensure that the first frame of the gif has the main call-to-action for instances where the animation appears static.

Text Creative
  • Sponsored text ads appear with a headline and logo. The headline is optional, but has a limit of 100 characters, including spaces. The body should not exceed 300 characters, including spaces. One link for the text ad is available. Third party tags cannot be accepted due to formatting. Impression and click-tracking accepted.




FLASH

Flash "clickTag" AS2 Specs

In order for Haymarket Media Inc. to properly track and report clicks with site served flash ads, please ensure all ads have the clickTag properly implemented. Adobe/ Macromedia currently recommends a "clickTag" method to track clicks for flash ads. This method uses variables to pass the click tracking string and URL into the Flash creative movies. As a result, the only text in the URL box is _level0.clickTag (underscore level ZERO period clickTag). _level0. (underscore level zero period) is included for "pathing" purposes to ensure that Flash can properly locate the variable.

  • Transparent Button object layered on top of clickable area
  • Button clickthrough URL: _level0.clickTag (underscore level ZERO period clickTag)
  • Target window is set to "_blank"
  • Variables is set to "Don't send"
  • Active Clickthrough URLs must accompany submission of flash files in .txt/.xls file

Here is what the coding will look like when you are done:
 
Note: clickTAG is case sensitive. Hard coded clickthrough URLs will not be accepted.

For flash files with multiple clickable areas, we accept
multiple clickTags as follows:

  • clickTag (clicklable area A)
    on (release)
    {
    getURL(_level10.clickTAG1,"_blank");
    }
  • clickTag (clicklable area B)
    on (release)
    {
    getURL(_level10.clickTAG2,"_blank");
    }
  • clickTag (clicklable area C)
    on (release
    ){
    getURL(_level10.clickTAG3,"_blank");
    }


Flash "clickTag" AS3 Specs

  • Create the button 
    - Transparent Button object layered on top of clickable area 
    - Convert Button to symbol. In the properties panel, assign the button an instance name (such as "myButton"), which will be referenced in the ActionScript.
  • Add the ActionScript to the button 
    - Create a new layer, select the first keyframe in the layer and activate the Actions panel. 
    - Copy and paste the code below. This defines the on click function. This function will be called upon once your button is clicked:

function onButtonClick(evt:MouseEvent):void{
if (root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag.substr(0,5)=="http:" ||
root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag.substr(0,6)=="https:" ){
navigateToURL(new URLRequest(root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag),"_blank");
}
}


Use the following code to connect the function above to the button you created. This tells flash what to do once the button is clicked. This code can be placed anywhere in your Actionscript code, but makes sense to attach it to your button layer. (In AS3, you can no longer attach Actionscript to the button itself, only to the layer):

myButton.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onButtonClick);

  • Flash files with multiple clickable areas

Note: clickTAG is case sensitive. Hard coded clickthrough URLs will not be accepted.

NOTE: Up to five (5) clickable areas maximum

Functions:
function onButtonClick1 (evt:MouseEvent) :void{
navigateToURL (newURLRequest(root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag), "_blank");
}
function onButtonClick2 (evt:MouseEvent) :void{
navigateToURL (newURLRequest(root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag2), "_blank");
}
function onButtonClick3 (evt:MouseEvent) :void{
navigateToURL (newURLRequest(root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag3), "_blank");
}
function onButtonClick4 (evt:MouseEvent) :void{
navigateToURL (newURLRequest(root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag4), "_blank");
}
function onButtonClick5 (evt:MouseEvent) :void{
navigateToURL (newURLRequest(root.loaderInfo.parameters.clickTag5), "_blank");
}

Methods:
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onButtonClick1);
button2.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onButtonClick2);
button3.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onButtonClick3);
button4.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onButtonClick4);
button5.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onButtonClick5);



EXPANDABLES

Expandables
The Expanding creative is a fixed ad unit with the added capability of expanding over the page in response to user interaction (either via click or roll over).
  • User initiation by click, roll over with 1 sec delay
  • Automatic expansion is not permitted. Expansion to occur on mouse over and retract on mouse out
  • Prominent close button required on 3rd party served expandables. The ad must feature a close or collapse button ( "close X") that closes the panel with a user's click. The advertisement must be included on the expanded section
  • Audio is permitted, but must be indicated by user click
  • Video is permitted, but must be initiated by user click
  • Clearly visible start/stop video and audio controls
  • Any interactivity, including expandable banners and audio/video, should be userindicated, defined as a click and not a mouse over or rollover, and clearly labeled with a "play" and "stop" controls unless otherwise approved by the Website. Embedded video must be hosted and served by the advertiser.






Prestitial
  • Prestitials are full-page ads that are displayed before the homepage loads. This large, dramatic high-impact banner allows your message to be seen by each visitor to the site.
  • Elements include a timeout counter, which redirects the visitor to the original page the ad was launched from. A skip feature, which allows the visitor to return to the original page manually; lastly a publisher's link, which is the click through for the publisher's logo.
  • Your ad is displayed for 15 seconds and will appear to any unique user one per 24-hour period.
  • Destination URL required
  • Multi Media (video & sound) Case by case basis, please contact rep

View it here: scmagazine.com/prestitial

  • Dimensions: 640x480
  • Frequency cap: Specific to each Haymarket Site — please contact rep for specifics
  • Third party tags: accepted
  • Display time: 15 sec
  • Flash: Up to version 10 - less then 100k - Action script 3
  • Gif, Jpeg, PNG: less then 100k



    EXPANDABLES continued

    Page Peel
    These ads are a unique way to grab the user's attention. On the first user impression the full page peel tears down on roll-over for up to 8 seconds offering a massive canvas to our advertisers. On subsequent impressions the persistent dog ear will display in the upper right hand corner.
    • All functionality must be removed from files
    • Multi Media ( video & sound) Case by case basis, please contact rep
    • 3rd party tags accepted

    View it here: scmagazine.com/pagepeel


    IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Rich media ads must be submitted 2/3 business days prior to launch to enable thorough testing.

    Rising Stars
    • Film Strip: accepted
    • Portrait: accepted
    • Pushdown: accepted
    • Side Kick: accepted
    • Slider: accepted
    • Film Strip: NOT accepted



    EXPANDABLES continued

    Pushdown
    PUSHDOWN unit begins as a 980x30 banner which expands, with or with/out userinteraction, to a large 980x418 canvas that pushes down the page content, grabbing the user's attention and immersing the user in a full brand experience for 15 seconds before retracting back to 980x30. Controls allow consumer to open and close the unit. The PUSHDOWN is a dynamic way to gain a user's attention without interfering with their ability to navigate the page.
    • Must be 3rd party hosted by approved Rich Media vendors
    • Additional creative options based on Advertiser — please ask a Haymarket Sales Rep for further details
    • All functionality must be removed from files

    View it here: scmagazine.com/pushdown

    • MultiMedia (video & sound): Case by case basis, please contact rep
    • Close Button: Required
    • Replay Button: Allowed. Replay may only occur 'On Click'.
    • Frequency Cap: Expanded 980x418 is frequency capped at 1 per user per 24 hours.
    • On subsequent views the 980x30 (collapsed version) is displayed. A replay button may be used to allow the user to replay the 980x418 pushdown on user click.
    • Other Restrictions - Mouse over/mouse off: When a user passes a mouse over the creative, the panel expands; the panel retracts when the mouse is removed.
      - Click open/click close: The creative can be set to expand with user click; the panel retracts when the user clicks a clearly marked close button.
      - ALL Functionality must be removed

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Rich media ads must be submitted 2/3 business days prior to launch to enable thorough testing.




    VIDEO

    Pre-Roll Video
    • Frame Rate: Same as source of 1/2 of source ( 15-30 fps)
    • Video Length: 15 sec
    • Bite Rate: 352 kbps
    • Tracking: 3rd party 1x1 impression tracking
    • Tracking: click tracking via click command URL
    • Video is clickable: please provide click through URL
    • Companion and Leave-behind can not be 3rd party hosted
    • Files need to be submitted as a http://URL to the call FLV file
    • Hosting is not supported through Haymarket Media





    SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
    Custom Content/Microsite
    Custom entitlement logo treatment will involve coordination
    with agency and Haymarket Media Inc.

    Text Link sponsorship
    Text links appear with a title and body. The title has a limit of 100 characters with spaces.
    The body has a 300 character limit with spaces

    Article Tools sponsorship
    The article tools sponsorship will serve above the article
    • Specs
      - Dimensions: 88x31
      - Creative Type: Both Standard (gif/jpeg) and 2nd party accepted
      - Text not allowed



    MOBILE SPECS


    Mobile Display
    • Text link must have a strong call to action eg 'Click Here" or 'Win free iPad'.
    • No audio
    • No Flash
    • Static or animated gif — 2 sec per frame is recommended
    • Click-through URL should be for a page that is optimized for a mobile browser. This may be a dedicated mobile page, possibly built on a .mobile or m. domain, or a page that can detect mobile browsers and generate the HTML accordingly.
    • Large clear fonts — Sans serif fonts (Arial, Verdana, Geneva, and Tahoma) or Serif fonts (Times, Georgia, Garamond, and Palatino) are recommended for text.
    • For all Prestitials, Haymarket Media will add a Close bar with the words "skip ad" — eMPR app. only
    • Creative must feature a 1x1 pixel border (black)

    The User Experience
    • Your marketing message appears at the BOTTOM of the mobile screen providing an uncluttered environment for users to read and click-through to your mobile optimized website.

    Mobile Click to Dial
    • Click to call tagline must indicate that clicking on it will result in a call. Options include, but are not limited to, 'Call now!', 'Click to Call!', or the phone number.
    • Text link must have a strong call to action eg 'Click Here" or 'Win free iPad'.
    • No audio
    • No Flash
    • Satic or animated gif — 2 sec per frame is recommended
    • Click-through URL should be for a page that is optimized for a mobile browser. This may be a dedicated mobile page, possibly built on a .mobi or m. domain, or a page that can detect mobile browsers and generate the HTML accordingly.
    • Large clear fonts — Sans serif fonts (Arial, Verdana, Geneva, and Tahoma) or Serif fonts (Times, Georgia, Garamond, and Palatino) are recommended for text.
    • For all Prestitials, Haymarket Media will add a Close bar with the words "skip ad" — eMPR app. only
    • Creative must feature a 1x1 pixel border (black)

    Click to Call Number
    • Click to call numbers must be domestic to the targeted country. Premium destination numbers that would result in a charge that exceeds normal mobile call charges are not permitted.