1. About this policy
This Advertising & Creative Policy explains the main content, creative and approval requirements that apply to campaigns submitted through Ostario Media. It forms part of our Terms of Service.
This policy is intended to keep campaigns lawful, professional, suitable for public display and compatible with the requirements of media-buying platforms, screen networks, media owners, venue owners, property owners and other third-party partners.
2. Creative review and approval
Creatives may need to be reviewed or approved by Ostario Media and by third parties involved in campaign delivery. Approval is not guaranteed.
A creative may be rejected, restricted, delayed, removed or require changes because of content, advertiser category, location, venue type, technical requirements, creative quality, audience suitability, budget, legal or regulatory concerns, advertising standards, brand-safety concerns or third-party partner rules.
Some third parties may reject a creative without giving detailed reasons. Where we receive useful information about a rejection, we will try to pass it on where appropriate. A campaign may run only on screens where the campaign and creative are accepted.
3. Your responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that your advertising content is lawful, accurate, not misleading and suitable for public display. You must have all rights, licences, permissions and consents needed for any text, images, logos, music, videos, trade marks, names, testimonials, links, QR codes or other materials supplied to us.
You must be able to substantiate objective claims before publication. This includes pricing claims, savings claims, comparative claims, health claims, environmental claims, performance claims and any other claims likely to influence a viewer.
4. General advertising standards
Advertising must not mislead, harm or offend. It must be responsible, clear and suitable for the screen location, audience and surrounding environment.
We may refuse, pause, remove or request changes to campaigns or creatives that we reasonably believe may breach law, advertising rules, platform requirements, third-party restrictions, community standards or this policy.
5. Design and technical standards
Creatives should be clear, professional and suitable for public display. This may include:
- large, readable text;
- sufficient contrast between text and background;
- clear branding, brand name or logo;
- a clear advertising message that can be understood quickly;
- working websites, contact details and QR codes where used;
- correct file format, size, resolution, orientation and duration where specified;
- no blurry, pixelated, stretched, distorted or low-quality images or logos;
- no cropped, cut-off or unreadable key information;
- no excessive clutter or unclear visual hierarchy;
- no empty borders or blank padding used simply to force a file size;
- no flashing, strobing, glitch, static or rapid visual effects that could be unsafe or make a screen look faulty;
- no design that could be confused with official road, emergency, safety, police, government or public-warning signage.
6. QR codes, contact details and calls to action
QR codes, websites, phone numbers, addresses, offers and other calls to action must be active, accurate and appropriate for the campaign. QR codes may be unsuitable or refused for certain locations where scanning could create a safety risk.
Offers, promotions and important conditions should be clear and not misleading. Any required terms, disclaimers or qualifications must be readable for the screen format and location.
7. Prohibited and restricted content
The following content may be refused, restricted or require extra review. This list is not exhaustive:
- illegal products, services, activities or claims;
- false, misleading, exaggerated, unsubstantiated or deceptive claims;
- counterfeit goods, fake documents, scams, pyramid schemes or similar activity;
- content that discriminates against, attacks or demeans people based on protected or personal characteristics;
- hate speech, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying or offensive cultural symbols;
- shocking, sensational, violent, exploitative or deliberately controversial content;
- adult, sexual, pornographic or escort-related content;
- tobacco, vaping, nicotine products or related products;
- recreational drugs, cannabis, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia;
- prescription medicines, unsafe supplements, medical misinformation or inappropriate health claims;
- weapons, ammunition, explosives or dangerous products;
- gambling, betting, wagering or lottery content;
- alcohol content;
- financial products, investments, cryptocurrency, NFTs or similar products;
- political, election, advocacy or religious content;
- high fat, salt or sugar food and drink advertising where restrictions apply;
- content aimed at children where unsuitable or restricted;
- content that imitates official government, police, emergency service, missing person, crime appeal or public-warning communications;
- content that infringes copyright, trade marks, privacy rights, publicity rights or other third-party rights;
- content that may damage the reputation or commercial interests of a venue, property owner, media owner or screen network.
8. Sensitive categories
Some categories may require additional review, evidence, disclaimers, approvals or restrictions. These may include alcohol, gambling, financial services, cryptoassets, health and medical products, food and drink subject to advertising restrictions, political or advocacy campaigns, religious content, adult-themed content and any other regulated or sensitive category.
We may refuse to handle certain categories even where the content is lawful, especially where approval is uncertain, location restrictions are likely, or the campaign creates compliance, reputational or operational risk.
9. Location and venue restrictions
Screen, venue and location rules can vary. A creative that is acceptable for one screen may be refused for another because of the audience, venue type, nearby businesses, local rules, property-owner requirements, brand-safety concerns or technical limitations.
Examples include restrictions near schools, healthcare settings, family venues, transport routes, retail venues, gyms, entertainment venues or locations where a campaign could conflict with venue interests.
10. Multiple creatives and rotation
Multiple creatives can be uploaded for one screen or campaign, but play order or equal delivery cannot be guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing.
11. Removal, pausing or changes
We may pause, remove, replace or request changes to a creative or campaign if required by law, advertising standards, a third-party partner, technical requirements, brand-safety concerns, complaints, or this policy.
If a creative is refused or removed, campaign delivery may be delayed, limited to approved screens, or require replacement creative files.
12. Contact
If you are unsure whether your campaign or creative is suitable, contact us at info@ostariomedia.com before submitting final creative files.