Submitting an Ad

In order for your ad to be distributed campus-wide, the ad must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Must be submitted no later than Wednesdays at 5:00pm in order to be distributed on Thursdays.
  • Ads will be displayed no more than 11 days (Thursday through Sunday a week later).  Please plan accordingly.
  • Must be sponsored by UA departments, colleges, or organizations, including only student organizations registered with The Source.
  • Must adhere to the University of Alabama graphic standards provided by the Office of Strategic Communications.
  • Must be 16:9 aspect ratio (1920 x 1080 pixels).
  • Your file may be a png or jpg image, or mp4 video.
    • Videos must not require audio.
    • The file should be no larger than 5MB for images and no larger than 15MB for video.
    • Videos should not be less than 10 seconds or longer than 20 seconds.
  • The design must have a background.  If the design has a transparent background, the background will appear black.
  • The ad resolution should be 72 px/inch.
  • Due to the large number of ads received each week, your ad is more likely to be posted if you:
    • submit only one design (avoid multiple versions of the same ad),
    • submit one ad per department per week. If you have multiple upcoming events, consider combining them into one ad.
  • Ads may be denied for the following reasons:
    • Contrast issues between text and background (e.g. white font on light grey background)
    • Too much text – ads are posted for ~12 seconds; consider whether the important facts can be read within that time.
    • Incorrect aspect ratio or file type
    • Submitted too far in advance of an event.
    • Ads for job postings or academic classes.
Submit an Ad
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Example of clear, simple digital signage graphic

Ad Design – Five Tips for Better Ads

Keep it simple!
Messages can quickly become clunky or unwelcome. When in doubt, ask yourself – what is the message my audience needs to receive from this ad?

Keep it short.
Remember that your ad will only be displayed for 8 to 12 seconds.

Use attention-grabbing headlines and graphics.
A picture is worth a thousand words.

Give basic details and direct viewers elsewhere for lengthy info.
It’s a good idea to provide a URL to your website where more information is available.

Contrast is key!
Be sure font color and size are readable from a distance.


Non-Graphic Designers – Use PowerPoint

If you are not comfortable with graphic design, you may create your ad using PowerPoint. PowerPoint is a great tool to quickly add text and images to create a suitable digital ad.

  1. Set the Page Size, 16:9 (widescreen).
    • PC users: Change the size under the Design menu (Design>Page Setup).
    • Mac users:  Change the size under the File menu (File>Page Setup).
  1. Insert or type your content (including text and images) to a single slide and arrange it so that it is clearly readable.
    • Contrast – be sure the font color doesn’t blend into the background.
    • Text – limit text so that the main point of the message can be seen within 8-12 seconds.
    • Images – images draw attention more than text.
  1. Save. When you are satisfied with the design, save the file as a PNG (image), not PowerPoint.
    • PC users: To save as a PNG, go to File> Save As> Save as type, then choose PNG from the drop-down list.
    • Mac users: To save as a PNG, go to File>Export>File Format, then choose PNG from the drop-down list.

The instructions above may vary slightly depending on your version of PowerPoint.