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Contacts

Game Informer Magazine
724 North First Street – 4th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: 612.486.6154
fax: 612.486.6101

Use our online form to contact us immediately.

advertising sales

WEST
Damon Watson
West Coast Advertising Director
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 310.450.3571
e-mail: damon@gameinformer.com

Janey Stringer
West Coast Ad Sales Associate
tel: 612.486.6104
e-mail: janey@gameinformer.com
EAST
Suzanne Lang Middaugh
East Coast Advertising Director
tel: 718.789.0162
fax: 612.486.6101
e-mail: suzanne@gameinformer.com

Amy Arnold
East Coast Ad Sales Associate
tel: 612.486.6154
e-mail: amy@gameinformer.com

advertising placement and fulfillment

Rachel Nimerfroh
Marketing Coordinator
tel: 612.486.6059
fax: 612.486.6101
e-mail: rachel@gameinformer.com

Mark Burger
Marketing Coordinator
tel: 612.486.6083
fax: 612.486.6101
e-mail: mark@gameinformer.com

production

Curtis Fung
Production Director
tel: 612.486.6058
fax: 612.486.6101
e-mail: curtis@gameinformer.com

editorial

Andy McNamara
Editor-In-Chief
tel: 612.486.6123
fax: 612.486.6101
e-mail: andy@gameinformer.com

circulation

Paul Hedgpeth
Information Systems Manager
tel: 817.424.2264
fax: 612.486.6101
e-mail: paulhedgpeth@gameinformer.com

Ad Specifications - Online

File Formats
Type Accepted Extensions Other Requirements Recommendations Detailed Specifications
Image .jpg/.jpeg, .gif, .png If created internally, all .psd (Photoshop) files. If applicable, also send fonts used in image creation. Max weight:200K (skins/backgrounds), 75K (skyscrapers, large rectangles [at least one dimension over 300]), 50K all remaining
Flash .fla (Flash version 7 or higher.) Also send .swf, HTML, and any images/fonts used. A back-up static image ad must also be provided to use when users do not have Flash installed. Provide demo link for previewing desired animation functionality. Initial load: see Image of same size; Maximum after Polite Load (see Global Rules for Polite Load definition): 2MB.

Please provide the HTML markup for embedding your animation if you do not use "clickTag". Also, wmode MUST be set to transparent.
Rich Media .html, .htm, .css, .js, and Flash/Image Flash and Image requirements apply. Must have "close" functionality, and overlays must be user-initiated by easy to understand button/mechanism. Consider using skins (CSS and Images) for all-static content. Typically consists of 3 Flash ads: an overlay element (max. 900 x 800), a leaderboard, and a super skyscraper. Overlay should not go beyond the bounds of the other pieces (i.e. either above leaderboard or below skyscraper or both).
Videos .mov, .wmv, .avi will all be converted to .flv, please send .flv if possible. Currently only pre-roll for now.
Provide your highest quality video. We will compress as necessary if we feel the video is too large for pre-roll run. 29 FPS, max size 900 x 506.
Other formats may be permitted, please Contact Us if you have any questions.
Specifications
Size (W x H) File Formats Timing Available for Rich Media
High Impact
Super Leaderboard 960 x 164 (max) Image, Flash No looping. Yes
Super Skyscraper 300 x 600 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
Skin/Background 1640 x 1000 Image Static No
Prestitial Up to 700 x 500 Image, Flash :10 No
Interstitial Up to 700 x 500 Image, Flash :10 No
Home Page Feature Insert Ad 610 x 90 Image, Flash Continuous Yes
Linear Video 16:9 Ratio Flash :15 - :30 Yes
Non-Linear Video 16:9 Ratio Flash :15 - :30 Yes
Gallery Slide Show Insert TBA Image, Flash :10 TBA
Standard
Leaderboard 728 x 90 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
Super Skyscraper 300 x 600 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
300 300 x 300 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
250 300 x 250 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
200 300 x 200 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
100 300 x 100 Image, Flash No looping. Yes
Sponsorships
Top Ten Lists 300 x 250 Image Static No
Podcast 300 x 250 Image Static No
Weekly Poll 300 x 250 Image Static No
Contest Blog Post/Advertorial Varies Image, Flash Static No
Global Rules
These are rules that will apply to every ad.

1) The advertiser must submit ad banner creative to Game Informer at least five (5) business days prior to the Go Live date. Game Informer tests the banners, their tags and playability in advance of the Go Live date in order to ensure the integrity of the ads running on gameinformer.com. Game Informer will not guarantee ad performance for ads received less than five (5) business days prior to Go Live.

2) No pop-up ads are permitted.

3) Sound must be user-enabled (disabled by default).

4) Third-party content serving must be approved.

5) All flash is expandable up to a maximum of double the height (leaderboard) or width (skyscraper). May also depend on agreed-upon location of ad, and if any other ads are expandable (only one allowed per page).

6) Polite Load: required for all Flash videos; initial load must be small (image weight, see File Formats for details), and subsequential load of any media must start 4 seconds after initial load or after entire page is rendered.

7) Any ads may be subject to approval/modifications to optimize site functionality and ad mechanics.

8) FPS of media aspects may not exceed 29.

9) User's browser may not be affected by ad (i.e. browser shake, full screen).

10) Flash video must allow user to Mute/Unmute, and Play/Pause. Must adhere to Polite Load (#6) and sound (#3) rules or have user-initiated start.

Also for Flash, please provide the HTML markup for embedding your animation if you do not use "clickTag". Also, wmode MUST be set to transparent.
Hints & Tips
These hints will help your ad pass our QA tests.

1) Test your ad in more than one browser.

2) Be sure your ad will not interfere with other site functionality (i.e. menus, links, style/format, etc.)

3) Functions as expected with mouse movements (i.e. mouse-out causes contraction on ads that are to expand on hover)

4) Anything left by rich media can be closed by the user so as to not interfere with browsing.

5) All specs are met.

6) All links and buttons are tested.

7) Does not break any other site content, including other ads.

8) User's browser may not be affected by ad (i.e. browser shake, full screen)

9) For Flash, please provide the HTML markup for embedding your animation if you do not use "clickTag". Also, wmode MUST be set to transparent.

10) Ad does not cause too much taxation on CPU/RAM - common causes are high frame rate, too many layers, too many effects.