Max Weight Progressive Download (Video/ Streaming Only)
Audio Specifications/ Limit
Animation/ Looping Limit
Alt Text Limit
Other
1000W
X
30H
30k
30k
900W
X
400H
900W
X
400H
7 sec
50k
2.2mb
Allowed on user click only;
Duration:
30 sec
Allowed
;
Duration:
7 sec, Video Duration:
30 sec
65 char
The User Experience
The MSNBC IMAX is a Premium Rich Media (PRM) Ad format which overlays MSNBC’s featured interactive content. When the IMAX format expands, it communicates directly with the featured content by pausing or resuming content playback ensuring a good user experience. The IMAX format may contain multiple video and interactive elements which can be replayed or controlled by the end-user. During the first impression, users will receive a frequency capped auto-expanding experience followed by a user-initiated experience for all subsequent views.
During the first impression, the IMAX ad auto-expands for 7 seconds before automatically resolving into the Leave Behind unit. All subsequent impressions will deliver a IMAX ad which only expands upon user initiation.
Upon rollover of the Leave Behind unit, the ad expands and communicates directly with the IMAX featured content by pausing content playback so the IMAX ad can be displayed.
The user-initiated expansion can remain open indefinitely until the user opts to close the ad.
Ad Specifications
This document represents MICROSOFT general specification parameters which submitted third party served rich media must conform to. Specific creative build specifications must be provided by Unicast, the third party rich media partner supporting this product. Notes regarding and a link to Unicast specific process and requirements are found below.
Both auto and user-intiation expansion panel must feature a close button (16pt font: “Close X”) that closes the panel with a user’s click.
a. Auto-expanding panel will retract automatically after 7 seconds if not closed by
user.
b. User-initiated panel will remain open until being closed by the user.
1000x30 Leave Behind creative must contained well defined “Rollover to Expand” hotspot for user initiated expansion.
Audio
Audio limited to expansion panel creative only.
Audio must be initiated by user click
Audio mute button control required.
Video
Host-initiated (autoplay) video is limited to expansion panel creative only
a. Video within the auto-expanding panel limited to 7 seconds
b. Video within the user-initiated expanding panel limited to 30 second, whether auto
or user initiated.
Replay allowed with user initiation.
Stop and Play button controls required.
Companion audio may be included with video , within spec audio guidelines.
Animation
Animation is limited to 7 seconds within the auto-initiated expansion panel.
Animation duration limited to 15 seconds within user-initiated expansion panel.
Unlimited Looping allowed within either max. duration.
Other Specifications
The Imax ad type is supported on MSNBC.com via a partnership with Unicast, a third party rich media server. Unicast has specific asset requirements and submission process instructions which are found here: http://www.unicast.com/msn/msnbc-imax-demos.html
Creative design and video assets meeting Unicast’s published guidelines must be submitted 10 business days prior to expected launch date, which does include Microsoft’s requirement of web-ready creative submission 5 days prior to campaign start date. Microsofts submission requirement are outlined below. Unicast is well familiar with Microsofts submission guidelines and will work jointly with client to ensure that Microsoft’s requirements are met.
Please Note: No production costs will be applied when all assets submitted to Unicast meet Unicasts published asset specification requirements. Additional cost will be applied to customization or additional Unicast Creative Services requests. Contact Kristen Corey atkcorey@unicast.com or clientservices@unicast.com for a creative quote.
Certified Rich Media Vendors
1. Unicast
Data Reported
Microsoft: Impressions and clicks.
Unicast: impressions, clicks, plays, and interaction metrics
Data Collection
MICROSOFT permits advertisers to collect user-provided personal identifying information (for example, through web forms embedded in ads).
Advertisers may be required to modify ad units or provided additional disclosure in order to be acceptable for advertising on MICROSOFT sites.
Advertisers wishing to collect personal information (according to specifications above) within advertisements must follow these guidelines:
Clearly Identify organization
Provide link to privacy policy (usually adjacent to the web form’s “submit” button)
