- Introduction
The Perimeter LED asset (sometimes called Field LED or Pitch LED) refers to the digital signage around the perimeter of the boundary fence.
NOTE
Make sure to read the specs carefully as well as follow the best practice guidelines.
BE AWARE
Venues and specs are subject to change as the fixture is finalised. We recommend bookmarking this website and joining our MKTG specs mailing list to make sure you always have the latest information.
NEED HELP?
If you require assistance understanding these specs or need help creating content, MKTG Studio is here to help.
- Content Guidelines
Make sure you read through all our tips and best practice guidelines.
Click a sub-heading to read all about it.
Timing
You are able to supply static or animated content for this space.
If creating animated content for in-match display, you will need to also provide a static version of your creative for use during play.
Animated content may loop several times before play begins, so we recommend making your content loop.
Due to the way the LED are played out, it is important that all files are the exact same duration.
For in game content make sure the files you create are 5 seconds exactly, and not a frame too long or short.
The duration should read ‘0.00.05.00’
Legibility
Content should fill up as much of the LED height as possible.
There are no safe areas on the LED, all pixels will be seen.
Text and graphics should be large and bold to maximise legibility from a distance.
Shorter messages perform better than longer creatives with a lot of copy.
Maximise contrast between the background and foreground elements.
Dark or bold colour backgrounds perform best on broadcast.
White and lighter colours should be avoided as the white can overpower the content.
Animated content can be a great way to draw the eye and display multiple messages over the duration of the content.
However animations must not be too distracting, scroll too fast, feature too many messages or flashing graphics.
Consider having your branding/main message on screen for the majority of the duration.
You can use photos, product images and video on the LED, however using these elements exclusively isn’t very effective in this space.
Due to the direct line of sight with the players and umpires on the field, there are careful considerations required in relation to on ground displays. Brand colours and creatives will be subject to sign off by the match officials within 24 hours of the match.
There will be a screening of content to the match officials before the season commences. It is recommended that you have your content delivered by the due date, to allow for this viewing so that you don’t run the risk of last minute changes.
You can upload a second version of your creative to MKTG Drop with ‘backup’ added to the title to ensure this is on hand if required.
In the case of a red/pink ball, you should consider turning any red/pink/orange sections black or grey-scale for your back up.
In the case of a white ball, you should consider a dulled or reversed option (dark background) for your back up.
Test Matches:
Day/Night Test Matches:
T20/ODI:
BBL:
Red Ball
Pink Ball
White Ball
White Ball
Layout
Making sure your elements are evenly spaced ensures that you don’t leave large empty spaces on the LED.
Take into consideration your content will be back to back with another file.
Make sure to populate the entire LED and not leave large gaps.
You may miss out on exposure if too much space is left blank.
Do not put two lines of text on top of each other on the LED.
Do not use your elements to cover up the seams between ANY files. Content will end up cut in half.
This does not apply for scrolling / moving content.
You should keep all logos and assets the same size throughout your LED and across all files.
Field and parapet can have different sizes to each other.
Consider your designs not only on their own but in relation to each other. If you have a tile that starts and ends with a logo such as below:
When it is tiled, you will end up with two logos next to each other before the text repeats.
There is nothing wrong with this, but it is something to keep in mind.
Tiled LED
When using the tile spec, it is important that you design content that doesn’t create visible seams between the tiles.
To check the seams between your tiles, put the tiles you have created together end to end, to test if they blend seamlessly throughout the animation.
Animated elements that move off the side of the tile need to ‘re-appear’ on the opposite side of all tiles.
Coloured/Textured backgrounds should blend from end to end.
Files
Due to the way the LED are played out, it is important that all files are the exact same duration.
For in game content make sure the files you create are 5 seconds exactly, and not a frame too long or short.
The duration should read ‘0.00.05.00’
Sometimes when creating files in Adobe Media Encoder or Handbreak, the large dimensions of the LED files can be restricted by the default settings. Make sure to double check the output dimensions.
You may need to change the following Media Encoder settings to the following:
Profile: Main
Level: Unrestricted
Venue notes
If you are creating content for The Gabba or Blundstone Arena, please be aware that due to the slope of the ground, some of the on ground cameras occasionally have some of the field LED obscured.
Historically we have encouraged partners to shift creative to the top 80% of the screens. While this may make a small positive difference to broadcast exposure at certain times, Futures Sport and Entertainment advises the most important advice for partners is to utilise the full height of the screens, ensuring content reaches the top of the display, while avoiding creatives directed towards the bottom of the screens.
Pink Test
In support of the McGrath Foundation, the Sydney Test match will be themed pink.
You are invited to show your support by featuring a predominantly pink creative, across your assets.
The pink to be featured for digital assets is: #EE76A3
More information available on our Pink Test page.
- Submission & Deadlines
Submission
All content is to be submitted via our content management portal, MKTG Drop.
We have an instructions page which will help you get started using the platform, however if you require any further help please contact the MKTG Drop team.
If you’re looking to re-use previously uploaded content, please take a look at our guide.
If you haven’t already used MKTG Drop, you will need to be set up as a new user so you can access the portal.
Please contact the MKTG Drop Team to get started.
Deadlines
| Milestone | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| MKTG Drop International Open | 15/10/2021 |
| MKTG Drop International Event Release | 22/10/2021 |
When MKTG Drop is open for this season, you can upload new content as well as check and restore old content.
When MKTG Drop releases the events, you are able to link new or existing content to the appropriate matches.
| Match | Deadline | Deadline Note |
|---|---|---|
| First Test (Afghanistan): Saturday, November 27 – December 1 – Blundstone Arena | 6th Nov 2021 | 3 weeks before Match Day |
| Second Test (Start of Ashes series): Wednesday, December 8-12 – The Gabba | 17th Nov 2021 | |
| Third Test: Thursday, December 16-20 – Adelaide Oval | 25th November 2021 | |
| Fourth Test (Boxing Day): Sunday, December 26-30 – MCG (Day-Night) | 5th December 2021 | |
| Fifth Test: Wednesday, January 5-9 – SCG (Pink Test) | 15th December 2021 | |
| Sixth Test: Friday, January 14-18 – Perth Stadium | 24th December 2021 | |
| First ODI (NZ): Sunday, January 30 – Perth Stadium | 9th January 2022 | |
| Second ODI: Wednesday, February 2 – Blundstone Arena | 12th January 2022 | |
| Third ODI: Saturday, February 5 – SCG | 15th January 2022 | |
| First T20 (NZ): Tuesday, February 8 – Manuka Oval | 18th January 2022 | |
| Second T20 (Sri Lanka): Friday, February 11 – SCG | 21st January 2022 | |
| Third T20: Sunday, February 13 – The Gabba | 23rd January 2022 | |
| Fourth T20: Tuesday, February 15 – Metricon Stadium | 25th January 2022 | |
| Fifth T20: Friday, February 18 – Adelaide Oval | 28th January 2022 | |
| Sixth T20: Sunday, February 20 - MCG | 30th January 2022 |
Contact MKTG immediately if you are unable to meet these deadlines.
- Perimeter LED
You are able to supply static or animated content for this space.
If creating animated content for in-match display, you will need to also provide a static version of your creative for use during play.
Animated content may loop several times before play begins, so we recommend making your content loop.
You will need to create one of each tile size for each creative. This is to allow for pitch changes at the venue.
In most cases the largest tile is used throughout the LED with any smaller tiles used to fill gaps.
Dimensions
| Venue | Tile 1 | Tile 2 | Tile 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 2560x96 | 1280x96 | 640x96 |
File Format
| Content | FPS | File type | Codec | In-match duration | In-break duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video | 50 | .mp4 | H.264 | 5 sec | Unspecified |
| Static | - | .jpg or .png | RGB - 72dpi | - | - |
MKTG Drop Asset
| Content | Used | Duration | MKTG Drop Asset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animation + Static | In match - Commercial | 5 seconds + Static last frame | Perimeter Tile Animated + Static - Standard 50 |
| Static only | Commercial and non-commercial | - | Perimeter Tile Static only |
| Animation only | Commercial and non-commercial | Unspecified | Perimeter Tile Animation only - Standard 50 |
- Contact
MKTG has an expert in-house studio, specialising in stadium content creation and conversion.
Find out more here and contact Elizabeth Cook to find out how we can help you.
For set-up and assitance with MKTG Drop contact the
MKTG Drop team.
