• Make it funny, thought provoking, and/or attention grabbing.
• Obey the production specs, especially the ones about color, font, size and aspect ratio. We don't want to have to disqualify a commercial for silly mistakes.
• Do emphasize the value of our services to OU students.
• Keep it 30 seconds or under. Make sure you time the ad before submitting it.

The commercial is shown by Unique Screen Media, which has very strict guidelines as to what is acceptable for viewing in movie theaters. The following is a list of "Don'ts" directly from Unique Screen Media. Most of this will not apply to you, but we are required to post them anyway. Areas in bold could apply when creating a commercial for CSLS, so pay special attention to these.

Preflix Preshow Content Guidelines

The general atmosphere required by most theatre owners and managers is “G”-rated, and UniqueScreen Media is sensitive to this. Movie going patrons are paying for a form of entertainment designed to enable them to “escape” from their regular day-to-day routine. Please keep their best interest in mind while creating your advertising layout.

The following should be used as guidelines for what is and what isn’t acceptable in terms of advertiser type, copy and, photographs.

Advertising content NOT permitted on screen:

Highly sensitive subjects such as illness, political, and social issues will be examined on a case by case basis, unless otherwise referenced below.

Miscellaneous:

• Traumatic, emotionally distressing, or violent photographs or copy
• Items that campaign against the theatre (e.g. concessions or home theatre equipment)
• No negative references to movies or movie going
• Imitation or recreation of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) Green Banner in any form
• 900#’s or psychic lines
• Political campaign ads
• Bail bond ads
• Fear campaigns
• Clinical research studies
• Ads that include profanity
• Tobacco or cigar sales, tobacco or cigar stores, and cigar bars
• Political stances on pro-choice / pro-life
• Mention of abortion, STDs, or AIDS / HIV testing
• Funeral Homes / mortuaries (all ads currently on screen may continue)

Sexual:

• Images or copy referring to sexual preferences or containing sexual connotations
• Content with sexual overtones, nudity, or suggestive attire
• Strip clubs
• Pictures of completely naked babies
• Adult book stores, toy stores, or websites
• Exotic dancing establishments

Copyright:

• Use of copyright restricted materials including: celebrity names, pictures, titles, famous quotes, names of specific characters, and songs
• Any copyright permissions must be provided by the contest entrant to CSLS.

Types of advertising with content restrictions:

Night Clubs:

• No images with provocative dancing, dress, or the like
• No images of people consuming alcohol, alcohol being served, or of the bar displaying various bottles of liquor in the background

Video Rental Stores:

• No mention of video stores selling or renting “X”-rated movies

Sporting Good Stores:

• No mention or display of guns or weapons in use
• Paintball imagery must clearly be for paintball purposes only

Lawyers:

• No images depicting divorce, personal injury, jail, or car accidents
• Copy and imagery must be neutral

Tattoo and Piercing Parlors:

• No images of tattoos or piercings on the body
• No emotionally disturbing or sexual tattoo image

Dentists:

• Ads can not display unattractive oral photographs

Cosmetic Surgeons:

• Ad may not focus specifically on liposuction, tattoo removal, spider veins, or collagen injections
• Services can be listed as bullet points
• Breast augmentation may not be mentioned

Fitness Centers and Tanning Salons:

• Ad can not refer negatively to body or skin condition

Churches:

• Ads can not contain religious icons other than in the logo (e.g. Cross, Christian fish symbol, Star of David)
• Ads can not quote religious scripture or reference a religion-specific deity’s name (e.g. Jesus, Christ, Yahweh, Buddha, Him, His, He, etc.)
• No crucifix photographs or illustrations

Bars and Restaurants:

• Alcohol can only be advertised when it is accompanied with food
• No promotion of overconsumption such as “happy hour”
• No mention of price points or price specials
• No imagery or mention of specific brand names or logos
• No images or groups of people toasting
• No images of people consuming alcohol, alcohol being served, or of the bar showing various bottles of liquor in the background

Anti-Drug Campaigns:

• No drug related topics with strong copy or distressing images
• No imagery of illegal drugs, labs, or drug ingredients

Casinos / Gambling Establishments:

• No images of gaming tables, tools for wagering (e.g. tote boards, racecards, etc.), or of people gambling
• All ads must be approved through Corporate Relations for final exhibitor approval