A Quick Guide to Supplying Images!
Speed and accuracy in the prepping of a feature is paramount to its success. Time is wasted if the content for the feature is incorrect. For this reason all images and logos pertaining to the feature should be attached to the contract before it is prepared by the design team. The following are some guidelines to supplying images for a feature.
Logos
Correct Branding - Trading names sometimes differ from the names partners are registered with in Salesforce. If this is ever the case ensure you attach the correct logo to be used to the contract, failing that make a note in the beginning of the description of what the partner should be called, otherwise it is likely the designer will simply use the account name by default as the branding on the feature - resulting in a lot of hassle for you to get it changed!
Superfluous Text - Our images contain no superfluous text. Just an image and a logo. Using superfluous text is not only against our house style, it has the potential to cause problems with the ASA. Often the text in question makes claims as to the quality of the partner, which is something we cannot provide evidence of if challenged to do so.
Please try to persuade partners not to send images that are covered in unnecessary text. Exclude taglines or slogans, especially when they may make superlative claims which can be ASA incompliant. When reduced to our standard image size these parts often become unreadable anyway.
Attaching Images to Contracts
When attaching the images that a partner has supplied to you to the relevant contract be sure to rename the attachments. Label them as Main Image, Body image, Logo etc. This simple organisation ensures nothing is missed or confused as being part of price confirmation or anything else that gets attached to contracts by Editorial or Partner Management.
Less is more
Sometimes partners are insistent about using as many of their images as possible on the deal. This does not guarantee the deal success and in fact, can sometimes be detrimental. Please keep in mind that the image works together with the write-up. The image's job is to grab the reader, not convey every detail; that's the write-up's job. Adding images of included products, services or items that are in the deal but are not very visually appealing is unnecessary if they are mentioned in the text. Sometimes it’s better for customers to imagine for themselves what these things might look like.
Copyright
We can’t ever use images that aren't known to be in the public domain and free from copyright. Specifically we must avoid images from online publications, other companies websites and that of google. Images that are on the partner’s actual website, or supplied directly by them are fair game. Providing we know beyond reasonable doubt that they do in fact belong to the partner and have not been obtained by any illegal means. We shouldn’t use images that directly feature major brands and their logos even if they are products the partner actually sells. This is in particular reference to cars, electronics and designer label clothing. Using these brands logos without their express consent leaves us liable to litigation.
