Flash Creative

In order for Gay Ad Network to track the click performance of Flash creative, the FLA file must be embedded with the variable clickTAG as its click through URL. The following describes how to apply this tracking code in the FLA file. Note that our maximum file size is 100k.

For Reference

Visit Adobe's Resource Center:

• http://www.adobe.com/resources/richmedia/tracking
• http://www.adobe.com/resources/richmedia/tracking/adserving_guide
• http://www.adobe.com/resources/richmedia/tracking/designers_guide

NOTE: The implementation is different for each version of Flash,please refer to Adobe documentation for specific instructions and syntax for using the clickTag variable and the getURL action.

Tagging Flash (FLA) Creative

1. Add an extra layer to the top of the layer panel.
2. Select that layer with the Selection tool.
3. Choose the Rectangle tool and cover the creative throughout
   the entire timeline of the movie.
4. Convert the rectangle into a "Button" symbol.
5. Make the rectangle transparent: Effect panel > Alpha >
   0%
6. In the Object Actions panel, associate the following action to
   the transparent rectangle:

• On Mouse Event: Release
• GetURL: clickTAG
• Window: _blank

7. Check the Expression box so there are no quotes around
   clickTag (see picture below).

The script should look like this:

Flash < 8 ActionScript 2.0

on (release) {

getURL (clickTag, "_blank");

}

Flash 9 ActionScript 3.0

on (release) {

getURL (_level0.clickTag, "_blank");

}

• Export into a SWF file. Send the SWF along with a separate
  text file that tells us the landing URL to be tracked and the
  Flash version the creative was developed in.
  
  
• Gay Ad Network's Ad Operations team will build the HTML code that passes the clickTAG variable with the landing URL to track performance.
  
  
  
• NOTE: Do not hard-code the URL into the Flash button. This will prevent our ad server from tracking clicks and we will not be able to optimize your campaign.

• Assign the ActionScript to the button object.
• Make sure the clickTag button layer is at the top of the layer panel.
• No embedded click-throughs other than the getURL command for web links that you want to be tracked.
• All buttons that use a getURL() command must exist directly on the main stage.
• Only implement the function "on (release)" — all other controls (on press, on rollOver, etc.) are not compatible with DART.
• Include the attribute "_blank" so a new browser window opens upon click.
• Since passing the click variable is case sensitive, telling us
  how the click variable is written (clickTag or clickTAG) may be
  required.
• IMPORTANT: Our system only accepts files coded in Action Script 2.0 for version 8 flash player. We recommend the publish settings shown below:
  
  
  
  

  
  

• Note: the default AS version for flash 8 is 2.0 and the
  default Flash Player version is 7, with compress movie option
  selected.

Flash MX/Flash or MX 2004/Flash 7 Users

The appearance of your screen may differ depending on the Flash version you're working in.

Flash MX/Flash 6:

getURL(clickTAG) & choose "_blank" by the window option in the action window

Flash MX 2004/Flash 7:

getURL(clickTAG,"_blank")

Below is a screen-shot of the implementation page in v.7:

Reference Sources: Adobe, About.com, Adify