Glen Moon 4/3/09

NTD News Online Advertizing Information

Who may advertise?

NTD credentialed ministers, Churches and Vendors (as approved by the Office of Communications)

Is there a cost?

Yes, however, eligible individuals and entities may still advertize for free at www.NorthTexas.cc in the Message Boards

Image Format and Size

Submit images in a correct format and size.

Image ads can be formatted as .JPEG, .GIF or animated .GIF files.

Image ad files must be 1 Meg or smaller.

• Square: 200x200
• Banner: 640x200
• Skyscraper: 200x640

At the bottom of each image ad, we will include your URL.

Image Quality

Load high quality images.

Ad images must be clear and recognizable. Text appearing in the ad images must be legible. We reserve the right to disapprove low quality or blurry ad images.

Image Relevance

Create relevant and accurate ads.

• Include only relevant information, like a call to action, product specifications, or model numbers. Let your image tell the rest of the story.
• You may want to distinguish your image ad by including your church, ministry or company name, line of business, or product titles within the image.
• If you offer a local service or product, you may want to communicate this in your image.
  

Implied Affiliation

Don't imply inaccurate affiliation or partnership.

Your ads may not imply an affiliation, partnership, or any special relationship with the North Texas District. Ads and sites cannot contain language that is likely to cause confusion as to the association between NTD and and your Ministry, Church or Business.

Examples of inaccurate affiliation:

• NTD special offer!'
• 'Recommended by the North Texas District'
• 'Sponsored North Texas District site'

Mimicking Computer Functions

Don't mimic system functionality or warnings.

Your image ads:

• May not pretend to be a system or site warning.
• May not mimic or resemble Windows/Mac/Unix dialogue boxes or error messages.

• May not have mock animated features, such as drop down menus or search boxes, unless the functionality actually works.

We reserve the right to exercise our discretion with these types of ads.

Prices, Discounts, & Free Offers

Support advertised prices, discounts, and free offers.

• If your ad includes a price, special discount, or 'free' offer, it must be clearly and accurately displayed on your website within 1-2 clicks of your ad's landing page.
• Prices in your ad text must be accurate. Prices can also apply to bulk purchases. For free offers, it is acceptable if the user can infer that the product is indeed free, even if the word 'free' does not appear along with that product or service.

Examples:

• If you mention that you are selling books for 20% off in your ad text, your destination URL should link to a page that clearly displays books at the discounted price.
• Other examples that must be supported include 'Save $20 on first purchase,' 'free CD with purchase,' and 'DVDs for $5 each.'

Spelling & Symbols

Follow proper spelling and grammar conventions.

Ads should not use unconventional spelling or grammar. All symbols, numbers, or letters used must represent the true meaning of the symbol.

Example of incorrect letters/symbol use:

• C if our product is 4 U!
  

Superlatives

Avoid using generic superlatives.

If your ad contains the comparative or subjective phrases 'best' or '#1,' verification by a third party must be clearly displayed on your website. Third-party verification must come from someone or some group unrelated to your site; customer testimonials do not constitute third-party verification.

For example, if an ad claims to be the 'Best of the Web,' the site must display third party verification of the claim. A Forbes Magazine seal indicating this site received a 'best of the web' award would be acceptable, and the ad would then comply with this policy.

Unacceptable Phrases

Don't use unacceptable phrases.

Avoid generic call-to-action phrases such as "click here" and "see this site" that could apply to any ad, regardless of content. This type of general phrase doesn't add value to your ad's message. Your limited ad space should be used for concise, informative language that sets you apart from your competition.

Copyright

Don't promote copyrighted content without permission.

Copyrights are important business assets in which the copyright holder maintains exclusive rights. You must not use NTD News Online to promote the copying or distribution of copyrighted content for which you don't have consent from the copyright holder and which is not otherwise permitted by law.

Strobing & Flashing

Don't use strobe animation.

Strobing, flashing backgrounds, or otherwise distracting ads are not allowed.

The Destination URL must work.

The destination URL is the webpage users will visit when they click on your ad.

• Your destination URL must work properly across all web browsers.
• It must link to a working web page with content relevant to your ad.
• The landing page for your ad cannot be under construction.
• Your destination URL cannot link to an email address or a file. This includes an image, audio, video, or document file that requires an additional program or application to open or run.
• Always check your spelling and symbols to make sure you entered the correct URL for the page you want users to visit.
• Our system only allows one destination URL per ad.
  

Display URL

Display URL must be accurate.

• Your display URL must accurately reflect the URL of the website you're advertising. It should match the domain of your landing page so that users will know which site they'll be taken to when they click on your ad.
• The display URL field cannot be used as another line of ad text.
• Your display URL must include the domain extension, for example: .com, .net, or .org.
• If your actual destination URL link is too long to use as your display URL, use a shortened version (such as your homepage) that meets the character limit for this field.

Example:

• Destination URL: http://www.NorthTexas.cc/index.html
• Display URL: www.NorthTexas.cc

The really important stuff:

• Other than a refund of purchase price or rescheduling your ad, by submitting your ad request, you agree to hold the District harmless if the Online Newsletter with your ad is not sent for any reason.
• The NTD Communications Office reserves the right to deny any ad request.
• Ads will be accepted on a space-available basis.