From time to time there will be text links featured outside and beneath the landing position for the over the page ad experience. These text links are used to provide information about the ad type featured as well as gather feedback from our users on their advertising experience on MSN. These labels will be featured sporadically and all data collected will be for internal purposes only.
Ad Specifications
MSN.com is the front door to our diverse network. As such, we want to display innovative creative within our home page display ad placement that can appeal to the broader audience. Below are specific guidelines which need to be applied to all creative featured on the MSN.com home page. These guidelines were developed to help support the MSN brand and overall look and feel of the home page.
MSN reserves the right to prohibit any advertisement from being featured on the home page.
Ads should contain
A clear message and offer/promotion
Clutter-free design
Relevant imagery to the offer or promotion
Consistent branding (Use of similar/same logos & messaging)
Landing pages should provide relevant content to the ad featured
Not allowed
Ads with fake HTML
Ads that are misleading in anyway (specifically within creative messaging/offers/promotions etc…)
Inappropriate graphics: included but not limited to graphic images which generate an adverse emotional response from users (i.e., overly graphic medical conditions/images, images of distressed animals or humans), or overexposure to nudity (i.e., swimsuits, sports bras)
Rapidly flashing images/multiple flashing images (no more than 2 flashing images at the same time)
One (1) rendered .swf for float element and 300x250
Back-up .gif or .jpeg
Any custom fonts that were used in the execution
Please use the program “Stuffit” to compress the fonts if the creative shop is using Mac fonts.
For PC fonts please use .zip files
Mapped click-through URLs
Third Party Tracking (if required)
Additional elements to be provided for expanding element only:
One (1) rendered .swf for expanded unit
Any .fla source files for child file loads into expanded unit
Rendered .swf files for child file loads into expanded unit
If Streaming Video is used, any source videos in .mov format. Also be sure to include the associated .flv files.
Specifications:
All Elements
Ad opens into new browser
Flash elements: Flash 6.0-9.0 accepted (AS3 is supported)
Back-up image: gif / jpg
Must provide user with opportunity to close any float and/or expanded panel with “Close X” button contained somewhere withing flash stage area
Replay button for any video/float/expanding unit is suggested, but not required
Float Element. The float must abide by the following requirements.
Animation time of 7 seconds
Total image size no larger than 200x200 pixels
Contained within the 932x450 pixel staging area
Cannot cover the MSN Search Bar
Must be constantly moving
Cannot remain static (covering content) for more than 2 seconds
Cannot be done as a streaming .flv animation
Float cannot have a background image covering the entire stage size (disabling content)
Float must have close button during animation sequence allowing user to close the float experience
Float experience has a frequency cap of once per user per day
300x250 Ad Unit. The 300x250 must abide by the following requirements:
Limited to 8 seconds of animation after floating element has resolved
For backup image: animation limited to 15 seconds. Can loop if within 15 second limit
Not exceed 50k total file weight in flash (includes float element)
Published in flash versions 6.0-9.0 (AS3 is supported)
Cannot exceed 24 frames per second
Cannot have constantly animating elements
Creative must feature a 1 pixel border (gray [#666666] or black recommended, though any color that clearly distinguishes the ad from the content may be used)
If purchased with expanding element:
Expanded Ad Unit. The Expanded must abide by the following requirements:
Total Area can not exceed 932x450 stage size
Can be up to 1.5mb in size, but should be as small as possible to limit loading time
Can include child flash and image files (up to 10 total)
Can include streaming video
Cannot use XML as a file facilitator
Published in flash versions 6.0-9.0 (AS3 is supported)
Cannot exceed 24 frames per second
Unlimited animation time until user closes expanded panel
Creative must feature a 1 pixel border (gray [#666666] or black recommended, though any color that clearly distinguishes the ad from the content may be used)
Other Specifications
Audio:
Audio must be user-initiated and never automatic
Audio controls must be present.
If audio is used, creative must include an On/Off switch for users.
Audio insertion into Flash file may begin no earlier than the second frame.
Video:
Video is streamed from Akamai, not progressively
Video Controls must be present: Play/Pause, Volume Control or Mute/Unmute buttons are required. Time Scrubber & Replay button are suggested but not required.
CPU Usage:
Idle CPU usage typically falls within 8-12%. When testing a Flash file for this ad, CPU usage after the initial loading of the file must be between 20% and 30%. An initial spike of up to 60% is acceptable in the first five seconds. (Idle CPU usage devised upon computer with a 1.8GHz Intel Pentium Processor and 512 MB of RAM running standard programs.)
Browser Support:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 are supported.
Firefox is a supported browser on a case-by-case basis (dependent upon test results and execution design).
Limited support may be provided for Safari based on test results.
In cases in which a browser is not supported (i.e. Firefox or Mac browsers), users will receive the backup image.
Back-up .gif Impression Serve Rate:
Expected Back-up .gif Impression serve rate varies from 8-12%.
Ad Launch Time:
Ad starts no earlier than midnight (12AM), Eastern Standard Time. Specific times can be discussed.
Note: Additional or custom features may have an additional cost associated with them. Please contact your Microsoft sales representative for more information.
Any element not meeting spec or submission requirements will be returned for revision, which may delay the expected live date. If you have any questions regarding creative submissions, please e-mail your Microsoft sales or PMG representative.
MSN Homepage Ads are not 3rd party served. They are served solely via MSN’s Rich Media Servers.
Data Reported
An overall third-party impression tag can be implemented, and would track both the flash and backup (down-level) experiences.
Third-party click tags can be implemented for the flash and backup experiences.
Currently we do not support implementation of a separate third-party tracking tag for backup (down-level) impressions. MSN is able to capture this data and provide the number of backup impressions.
Overall Impressions
Back-up .gif Impressions
Clicks from 300x250
Clicks from Back-up .gif
Float Impressions/Unique Users
# of Replay Float Button Presses
If expanding product is used:
Number of Expands
Average time spent in expanded panels
If video is used:
# of Video Plays
Average Video Play time
Video Control clicks (Play, Stop, Pause, Mute)
Custom Brand Interaction Metrics (based on execution layout) are available on a case-by-case basis.
Data Collection
Microsoft permits advertisers to collect user-provided personal 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 within advertisements (according to specifications above) must follow these guidelines:
Clearly identify organization
Provide link to privacy policy (usually adjacent to the web form’s “submit” button)
