Introduction
The Ponsford stage is a small activation space above a raceway at the MCG. On the front of this is a permanent LED panel. For certain events there is also a wall screen at the back of the space. Contact MKTG to find out if you will need to make this spec also.
Make sure to read the specs carefully as well as follow the best practice guidelines on this page.
If you require assistance understanding how to create content or need help designing content, MKTG Creative is here to help.
Submission & Deadlines
All content is submitted via our content management portal MKTG Drop.
Instructions for uploading and re-using content via MKTG Drop can be found here.
If you are new to MKTG Drop, you can request a log in with the MKTG Drop Team.
All assets will need to be provided to MKTG 10 business days before the first event.
Contact MKTG immediately if you are unable to meet this deadline.
Content guidelines
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.
- Utilise the full height of the LED
- Don’t leave excessive space above/below content
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.
- Thick and large text is the most legible
- Thin or cursive text can be hard to read
Maximise contrast between the background and foreground elements.
- Maximum contrast
- Not enough contrast
Dark or bold colour backgrounds perform best on broadcast.
White and lighter colours should be avoided as the white can overpower the content.
- Dark and bold colourful background
- White or light background
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.
- Smooth and simple animation
- Animation too fast
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.
- Even spacing between elements
- Uneven spacing between elements
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.
- Good coverage
- Poor coverage
Do not use your elements to cover up the seams between files. Content will end up cut in half.
This does not apply for scrolling / moving content.
- No stationary content on edges
- Stationary content on edges
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.
- Same sized elements
- Differently sizes elements
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.
Some designs include a set of small logos along the bottom of the field LED.
This option can be useful if there is a close up near the LED.
File creation
Due to the way the LED are played out, it is important that all files are the same duration.
Where a spec requires a certain duration, the files must all be exactly that duration, and not a frame more or less.
For example if you are required to make content that is 15 seconds long, you can check the duration in After Effects in the composition settings. The duration should read ‘0.00.15.00’
- After Effects composition settings
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
- Adobe Media Encoder settings
Front LED spec
You are able to supply static or animated content for this space.
Any animated content should only have minimal or basic movement. This creative is likely to be displayed for a long duration and shouldn’t be overly distracting.
There is no set duration for this spec, however any video file will loop. If creating an accompanying Ponsford Stage Wall creative, the duration must match.
Dimensions
| Dimensions |
|---|
|
720 x 96 |
File format
| Content | FPS | File type | Codec | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Video |
50 |
.mp4 |
H.264 |
Unspecified (looping) |
|
Static |
- |
.jpg or .png |
RGB - 72dpi |
- |
MKTG Drop asset
| MKTG Drop Asset |
|---|
|
Ponsford Stage |
Back wall spec
An additional screen is occasionally also available in this space. If you are required to make this screen, use these specs.
You must supply an video file for this space.
Any animated content should only have minimal or basic movement. This creative is likely to be displayed for a long duration and shouldn’t be overly distracting.
There is no set duration for this spec, however any video file will loop. If creating an accompanying Ponsford Stage front LED creative, the duration must match.
Dimensions
| Dimensions |
|---|
|
728 x 312 |
File format
| Content | FPS | File type | Codec | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Video |
25 |
.mp4 |
H.264 |
Unspecified (looping) |
MKTG Drop asset
| MKTG Drop Asset |
|---|
|
Ponsford Stage Wall |
