world-grain.com

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ADVERTISING POSITIONS

SPECS

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MATERIALS DUE
Materials are due on the 16th of the preceding month before the scheduled launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

ONLINE AD MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• File Size: 200 KB maximum
• File Format: JPG, GIF, animated GIF, HTML5 and Third Party Tags. If submitting Third Party Tags for a leaderboard, separate tags are needed for desktop and mobile sizes.
  
  For video ads, please speak to your sales rep about pricing.
• URL: Supply a click-thru URL for each ad submitted.
  
  Include https:// in the URL.
  Third Party Tags*, UTM tags, DCM tags, and 1x1 tracking pixels* are accepted for website ads.
  *NOT accepted for expandable leaderboards.
• Resolution: 72 ppi
• Color depth: 8 bit (256 colors)
• Ads with white backgrounds must have a visible 1-pixel border.

HTML5 AD MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• File Size (zipped file): 200 KB maximum
• All files must be combined into one HTML5 zip bundle containing the image folder, html index file, and javascript file (if applicable).
• Click-tag: HTML5 file must contain an embedded click-tag.
• URL must be https:// (secure website)
• File Format: Recommend GAM (Google Ads Manager) compatible when built in GWD (Google Web Designer) or other similar program.
• For additional information, refer to https://support.google.com/admanager/answer/7046799?hl=en

VIDEO AD MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 300x250 pixels
• Max Initial Load File Size: 40 KB
• Add'l File Weight (Polite Download): 1.2 MB
• Format: Third Party Tags only
• Format Category: In-banner Video tags (IBV) (can be converted from VAST to IBV by companies like Mixpo)
• URL: Supply a click-thru URL for each ad submitted.
  
  Include https:// in the URL.
• Maximum animation is 15 seconds. Any audio in the ad must be User Initiated (on click).
• Controls: "Close X", Play, Pause, Rewind, Volume
• Font: 16 pt

Digital Edition

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MATERIALS DUE
Materials are due on the 16th of the preceding month before the scheduled launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

DIGITAL EDITION AD MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

MONTHLY SPONSORSHIP

WIDE SKYSCRAPER*

• 160x600 pixels – desktop
• 640x100 pixels – mobile
• File Size: 200 KB maximum
• File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, Animated GIF
• URL: Supply a click through URL. Tracking URLs are accepted.
  
  Third Party Tags and 1x1 tracking pixels are NOT accepted.

BLOCKBUSTER (In the digital edition email alert)

• 550x150 pixels
• File Size: 50 KB maximum
• File Format: JPG, GIF, Animated GIF
• URL: Supply a click through URL for each ad submitted. Tracking URLs are accepted.
  
  Third Party Tags and 1x1 tracking pixels are NOT accepted.

DIGITAL EDITION SPONSORSHIP + VIDEO

WIDE SKYSCRAPER* and BLOCKBUSTER

• (See specs above)

60-SECOND VIDEO* (On the digital edition intro page**)

• Title: Up to 55 characters
• Description: Up to 150 characters
• Get the video specs

*Lead reporting is not available for this position.
** Video/intro page do not appear on mobile/HTML5 versions of digital edition.

See an example of the Digital Edition ad positions

See an example of the Digital Edition email alert ad position

Newsletters

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MATERIALS DUE
Materials are due on the 16th of the preceding month before the scheduled launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

NEWSLETTER AD MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• File Size: 50 KB maximum
  
• File Format: JPG, GIF, animated GIF. Animated GIFs only display the first frame of animation in Outlook versions prior to 2016. If you are submitting an animated GIF, please be sure your logo and most pertinent content is on the first frame.
• URL: Supply a click-thru URL for each ad submitted. Do NOT use bit.lys.
  
  Include https:// in the URL.
  Tracking URLs are accepted. Third Party Tags and and 1x1 tracking pixels* are NOT accepted for newsletter ads.
• Resolution: 72 ppi
• Color Depth: 8 bit (256 colors)

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Native Article

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MATERIALS DUE
Materials are due on the 16th of the preceding month before the scheduled launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

MATERIALS REQUIRED

• Article headline: Up to 55 characters (including spaces)
• 1,000 words maximum
• Main image: 1200x800 pixels
• Up to 2 photos/charts within article (vertical or horizontal); 72 ppi, 635 pixels wide
• Include directions as to where each photo/chart should appear within the article
• Include an image credit for all supplied photos/charts. “© Company Name/Photographer Name” / “© Stock Resource Name/Photographer Name"
• Teaser text: Up to 100 characters (including spaces). Note: this will appear under the newsletter article headline.
• Logo: up to 250 pixels wide
• Optional Video: YouTube or Vimeo URL in article. Note: Video will display in article.
• Review the materials required

Video Spotlight

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MATERIALS DUE
Materials are due on the 16th of the preceding month before the scheduled launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Title: Up to 55 characters (including spaces)
• Short Description: Up to 150 characters (including spaces)
• Long Description: Up to 350 characters (including spaces)
• Get the video specs

Targeted Email Marketing

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MATERIALS DUE
All materials must be received 10 business days prior to the launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

TARGETED EMAIL MARKETING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• File Format: HTML only (to be provided by advertiser).
  JPG, GIF and PDF are NOT acceptable file formats.
  (Code generated from MailChimp, Constant Contact and other similar email services are NOT accepted. It is a violation of their policy to use their code other than through their service. This code also does not render properly outside of their email service).
• We recommend a maximum of 600 pixels width. Length can vary.
• All links must be coded into the HTML file and begin with https://.
• Text should be coded as HTML text rather than embedded in images.
• Full image paths in the code must be used (ex: https://www.domain.com/images/graphic1.jpg) and images hosted on your server.
• Do not use Rich Media, Javascript or Image Maps. The use of Image Maps does not allow our system to track clicks.
• Specify the subject line.
• Specify the preheader. (Optional)
• Send seed lists: Specify the email addresses of those who need to receive the proof and also who should be included on the final launch.
• Get additional targeted email tips

Audience Extension

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MATERIALS DUE
All materials must be received 10 business days prior to the launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

GOOGLE RESPONSIVE DISPLAY AD

DESIGN SPECS (REQUIRES 2 IMAGES)

• File Format: JPG or PNG
• 1-Landscape (1.91:1) Ideal dimensions are 1200x628 pixels. Minimum dimensions are 600x314 pixels; Max file size is 5120 KB.
• 1-Square (1:1) Ideal dimensions are 1200x1200 pixels. Minimum dimensions are 300x300 pixels. Max file size is 5120 KB.
• Amount of text allowed on image: no more than 20%

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Ad Headline: 25 characters (including spaces)
• Long Headline: 90 characters (including spaces)
• Description Text: 90 characters (including spaces)
• Business Name: 25 characters (including spaces)
• Final URL (Landing Page)

Webinars

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Advertisers are responsible for finding their speakers and presenting the webinar. We will provide one of our knowledgeable editors to moderate your event.

SUBMIT FILES
Send all webinar materials to Carrie Fluegge (cfluegge@sosland.com)

WEBINAR MATERIALS REQUIRED FROM ADVERTISING COMPANY

• PowerPoint file
• Webinar title
• Webinar description, 50-100 words
• Date and time of webinar
• Speaker’s names, titles, photos and short bios
• Company logo
• Photos or imagery relating to topic

Sosland Publishing helps you market and present your event to our unique database. Webinars typically run 30 minutes to 1 hour.

WEBINAR PROMOTION
Your webinar will be promoted in the following ways:

• A dedicated registration page
• Full-page advertisement in World Grain magazine
• 2 special email blasts to our qualified email lists
• 1 month promotion on our online webinar listing page
• 1 month of advertising on world-grain.com 
• 1 month of promotion in our daily and weekly newsletters
• 2 weeks of promotion in our social media
• 2 special event email reminders sent to registrants

REPORTING AND HOSTING

• A complete list of all registrants and attendees to contact directly
• A report of the questions submitted during the Q&A session
• Your webinar will be archived online for one year.

AVAILABLE FEATURES

• Private chatting window for speakers
• Option to provide downloadable resources to the audience
• Poll Questions
• Surveys
• Videos

POWERPOINT BEST PRACTICES

SLIDE DESIGN BASICS

• File Size: 50 MB maximum size slide deck
• File Format: Must be PPT or PPTX
• Only one master slide is permitted
• The first slide animation must be set to start on click
• Slide transitions are NOT supported.
• Embedded objects (ie. Audio, Excel, Video, etc.) are NOT supported

AVOID USING

• Type size smaller than 17 point type
• Embellished type (type with shadows, bevels, or special effects)
• Textured or gradient backgrounds
• Slide numbering on the slide Header, Footer, or Master slide

TIPS TO MAXIMIZE LEGIBILITY

• Your presentation should have a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio
• Use larger font sizes than you would normally
• Use simple design elements and solid color blocks
• If you plan to insert screen-capture images in your PowerPoint, it is very important that you reduce screen resolution to 800x600 or 800x450 pixels in order to keep the content legible. Also, reduce the color depth to "High Color (16-bit)".

White Papers

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MATERIALS DUE
All materials must be received 10 business days prior to the launch date.

SUBMIT FILES
webads@sosland.com

WHITE PAPER MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• File Format: PDF only
• Title: Up to 55 characters (including spaces)
• Short Description: Up to 150 characters (including spaces)
• Long Description: Up to 350 characters (including spaces)
• Cover Image: 195x252 pixels; JPG, PNG or GIF
• The sales representative will review the white paper content to verify it is appropriate for the selected site. 

Video

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MATERIALS DUE
All materials must be received 10 business days prior to the launch date.

SUBMIT FILES webads@sosland.com

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

CODECS
world-grain.com encodes all uploaded video to the H.264 codec and therefore recommends for best quality that all source video also be encoded to H.264. 
Video: H.264
Audio MP3: (160 kbps)

OTHER ACCEPTABLE CODECS
Video: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VP6, VP5, H.263, WMV, MJPEG
Audio: AAC (128 kbps), WMA, MP2, WAV, ADPCM

FILE SIZE
The maximum supported media file size is 5 GB before uploading.

INTERLACE
All media should be de-interlaced before uploading. Interlaced video is primarily used for television and does not display well on computer screens.

FRAME RATE
Recommended frame rates are 24 (23.98), 25, or 30 (29.97) frames per second (fps). Settings that are larger than these recommendations are acceptable but may result in poor user viewing experiences due to high CPU usage.

BITRATE
A bitrate of at least 1500 kilobits per second (kbps) is recommended for HD quality.

ASPECT RATIO
Virtually any aspect ratio (including 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 standard) is supported, however 16:9 is recommended.

FRAME SIZE
world-grain.com recommends that the original file be encoded to a frame size that matches the desired aspect ratio (e.g. 1024x576 pixels for 16:9 widescreen or 1024x768 pixels for 4:3 standard. The recommended frame sizes for our preferred 16:9 aspect ratio are 640x360, 1024x576, or 1280x720 pixels. For videos that are intended to be displayed in full screen mode a minimum width of 1024 pixels is recommended.