Animated Skin Specifications
All assets should be delivered no later than two weeks before the live date. Please email all assets to ads@zdnet.com.au.
Technical Specifications and Limitations
| Item | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (SLB) | CNET, TV.com: 960 x 150 pixels. GameSpot: 880x150 pixels. |
| Animation | Animation takes place in the SLB area ONLY. Client can provide this if they have something built. |
| Animation length | No longer than 30 seconds. |
| File size | The SLB should be no more than 70kb. |
| Flash & ActionScript | Animations should be created using AS2, running at 25-31fps. Flash creative must be compatible with ALL versions of Flash Player. |
| Sound | Not allowed. |
| CPU Consumption | Should not consume more than 25% of users CPU resources on an average system. |
Creative submission requirements & guidelines
| Item | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Versions | Our design team is currently working with Adobe CS3 Design Premium. |
| Creative brief | Detailing logo usage / branding guidelines, desired messaging, general direction as well as basic IO details etc. |
| Example ad units | .FLA and all associated fonts for other units that will run alongside the skin for mockup purposes and to attain consistent branding. |
| Layered files | Assets must be delivered as a layered .PSD file(s), including all graphics, logos, fonts - anything required to be in the skin must be included. Examples include: character art, product shots and backgrounds. CBS Interactive Design team then designs the skin creating a mock for approval. |
| SLB layered files | Similar to the above, a .FLA file must be provided with all necessary fonts included. |
| Companion ad units | Accompanying ad unit creative must be proved to run with the skin. We do not create this. |
| Fonts | All fonts used in supplied assets must be delivered with the creative in Mac & PC format in case of necessary edits. If a certain font is to be used, please be sure to request it. |
| Logos | All required logos should be supplied in either .EPS .PSD or .PNG (with this order of preference) with a transparent background. |
| Classification | Must conform to IEAA specifications. Rating must be clearly legible, have high contrast to the background and be placed as practicable to the lower left corner. |
| Get a call to action! | Some text to entice the user to click the SLB. The text should begin with a verb. Otherwise it's not a call-to-action, it's just a some text. 'More information' for example, is not a call-to-action. |
| Edge fading | Edge of skin should blend to a solid colour on both the left, right and bottom edges. |
| Editorial integrity | Ads must be clearly marked, "ADVERTISEMENT". Ads cannot overlay editorial content. |
General rules and considerations
| Item | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Vendor branding | Creative materials must identify the advertiser and/or the product or service that is being promoted. |
| Resemble CBS Interactive | Creative material that resembles the visual style of the content area and/or the CBS Interactive Site on which it is displayed is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to using the colors, marks, fonts or icons explicitly associated with the site; for example, an ad on CNET Australia should not appear to be a CNET Australia news article. |
| Borders | Ads must have a border or otherwise clearly stand out from the the site on which they are displayed. For example, ads must have a border when displayed on a white background. |
| Misleading users | Client supplied creative cannot appear to make the page look broken or as if something is not working on a web page, user's PC or browser. Client supplied creative cannot utilize fake "Close" buttons. All buttons must function as expected. |
Tracking, serving and ad operations
| Item | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Clickable links | One clickable link in the super leaderboard area. |
| Third-party serving | Not allowed for any portion of the skin, only the accompanying MPU. |
| ClickTag | Must include clickTag button. Full specs. |
| Backup image | A static or animated .GIF or .JPG version of the ad must be provided to be served as the backup for non-Flash users. |
| Interactivity tracking | All user interaction to be tracked as one metric. |
The Submission & approval process
| Item | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Edit and modification capping | We follow a strict alteration policy. We offer 2 rounds of edits to any creative before the approval. Please ensure that all changes are submitted together. |
| Submitting assets | Clients may either submit all assets and a completed submission form via email or FTP. Please request they include the advertiser name, submitters name and date with each submission. |
| Non-complience | If the submitted creative does not conform to the specifications, is late or has excessive re-submissions and edits, it will not be placed online and may result in a delayed launch date. |
| Collective feedback | If dealing with multiple parties (both internal or external), feedback should be collected and presented as one round of changes to be completed at once. |
| CBSi Approval | Creative is subject to CBS Interactive approval. |
Submission Deadlines:
Two weeks prior to live date. Please allow a three (3) working day turnaround.
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