Would it be in bad form...

[Ghostgirl705]

I recently started a new job as a web producer for a trade magazine. This year is my company's big venture on the web and my first time working with web advertising.

Obviously many of our advertisers use flash for banners and such, I have been back and forth with one advertiser regarding a flash banner and the clickthrough URL. After this issues we have been having, it seems to me that it would be faster if I just fix the script myself.

Now what I am wondering is, since all they provide me with is the *.swf and a back up *.gif, would it be bad form for me to ask them to provide me with the *.fla file in my requirements for materials? We are the company that is publishing the ad, and I would not be making any changes to the movie, but I might need to change the getURL, are advertising companies and flash developers opposed to this?

What do you all think?

[chriserrorplain]

the standard way to do it with Flash banner ads it to always have the creative team use a variable, normally, _root.clickTag for the URL. You can then set this variable from the HTML / Javascript.

Get me? If not I shall make a little example for ya...

chris error

[Ghostgirl705]

Get me? If not I shall make a little example for ya...

If you don't mind that would be exceedingly helpful.

[chriserrorplain]

so if you click here for a demo

http://www.errorware.co.uk/help/bann...mo_720x90.html

that banner has had it's URL target set externally in the HTML.

the source is here

http://www.errorware.co.uk/help/bann...emo_720x90.zip

I dont' ahve much time right now to right a massive explanation, but the places to look are on the first frame on the flash movie and in the AC_FL_RunContent(.... part of the html, where we can add variables to the flash movie at run time, in this example we have added....

'flashvars', 'clickTag=http://www.errorware.co.uk'

y'see?


Chris Error

[Ghostgirl705]

Thank you very much! This is perfect

[chriserrorplain]

HOORAY FOR ME!
Glad it helped, any other questions just lemme know

Chris Error

[lesli_felix]

You only helped her cos of her cute avatar.

[chriserrorplain]

This is the boardroom, where we are supposed to talk about grown up things...I'd help you too, but only cos I loved Dangermouse

Actually it made me think that I may make some tutorials on flash banners etc. not the most fascinating subject ever really, but one where lots of people probably need help.

and swing by the office soon mate.

Chris

[lesli_felix]

Sorry, completely forgot I was the growed-up room. Spending too much time in the games forum does that to you...

I'll pop by soon. Am ridiculousy busy at the moment, but once the dust has settled in a couple of weeks time we should definitely have a chat about a few things...