Managing Custom Content

If you cannot find a layout that fits your needs, you can use your available custom content pages. Custom content is used to create a layout that better fits your content rather than the layouts available to you. The amount of custom content available to you is limited. Let's go over how to use your custom content for each issue.

Check Your Allotted Custom Pages

Use the Custom Content Page Guide

1. Scroll in this article until you see the Custom Content Page Guidelines.

Use the Editorial Tab to check Custom Pages

1. Navigate to the Issues tab under the editorial section in ARC.
2. You will see the content list on the left-hand side and the number of available pages (circled in black at the top of the timeline). Click the green “Add” button; the Add Article pop-up will appear.
3. Select Custom Content. 
4. The pages dropdown will display your total custom page allotment.

Add a Custom Content Article

1. Navigate to the Issues tab under the editorial section in ARC.
2. You will see the content list on the left-hand side and the number of available pages (circled in black at the top of the timeline). Click the green “Add” button; the Add Article pop-up will appear.
3. Select Custom Content. 
   1. Enter a title or a placeholder title for the article.
   2. Select a Department Header from the Department dropdown.
   3. Next, select the “Web Category” for the article. You can select more than one.
   4. Select the number of pages needed. 
      1. Be aware of page limitations based on your magazine's page count. The Pages dropdown should show how many custom content pages you have available. 
   5. The word count requirements can only be altered within the listed range. 
   6. The photo resolution can be set between Small and Large. This will affect the image warnings ARC displays when uploading photos. 
   7. After completing all fields, click Add. The article will now be visible in the content list.

Select an Inspiration Layout

After adding the article, you can provide custom content inspiration using one of the following options:

• Select a pre-built layout: Click Add Inspiration at the bottom of the Assignment screen. Choose an article type from the dropdown to preview and enlarge layouts, then click Add once you find a match. You can leave additional notes directly under your selection.
• Use a past layout guide: Choose a layout from a previous guide and note the guide's year and the layout name in the production notes (under the Content tab). You can find previous guides below:
  • 2023 Layout Guide.pdf
  • 2024 Layout Guide.pdf
  • 2025 Layout Guide_v1.pdf
• Reference a past issue: Go to the Past Issues tab to browse layouts from other magazines. To use one, add a production note in the Content tab with the magazine name, issue month, year, and page number. (Note: ARC does not auto-calculate word counts for these, so you will need to count them manually.)
• Let the designer build a custom layout: In the production notes (under the Content tab), include any design direction you have and ask them to build the layout based on your provided content.

Important Notes: 

• All Editorial Policies apply to custom content. 
• Outside images cannot be submitted or used as inspiration for layouts. Please use the approved options above.
• Custom layouts cannot be adjusted during review rounds. Be clear about your preferences to avoid designs you are not pleased with.
• Custom content is meant to be used when you have special circumstances where an existing layout isn’t suitable for your word count and photography. It follows the same rules for deadlines and reviews as standard content. 
• Custom content articles can accommodate up to 300 words per page, and all images should be 300 DPI.

Custom Content Page Guidelines

The number of custom content pages included depends on your total magazine size. Please refer to the table below for how many custom pages you’re allotted based on your total page count.

Custom Content for Advertisers

Guidelines for Managing Advertiser-Linked Editorials

Advertisers play a vital role in supporting our publications and the teams that produce them. At the same time, it's essential to maintain the integrity of our publication and ensure it is not perceived as advertorial. Below are key points and tips to help you navigate editorial requests from advertisers effectively:

• Value Advertisers: Advertisers are critical to the success of our publications, providing financial support for our content and teams.
• Preserve Editorial Integrity: Avoid turning the publication into an advertorial magazine by carefully managing the balance of advertiser-linked editorial content.

Tips for Managing Advertiser Editorial Requests

1. Strategic Topic Categories for Advertiser Editorials

Certain topics present natural opportunities to feature advertisers and showcase their expertise, including:

• Local Business
• Dining and Entertainment
• Real Estate and Living Space
• Health, Fitness, and Wellness
• Finance and Professional Services

Depending on ad size and contract length, advertisers may qualify to be featured within these topic areas as part of their overall exposure package.

2. Limit Advertiser-Linked Editorials

• For smaller magazines (36–44 pages), avoid including more than two (2) advertiser-linked articles per issue.
• For mid-sized magazines (52-76 pages), avoid including more than three (3) advertiser-linked articles per issue.
• For larger magazines (84+ pages), avoid including more than five (5) advertiser-linked articles per issue. 
• Action Tip: Maintain open communication with your ad sales team and Publisher to prevent overbooking.

3. Review New Contracts Monthly

• At the start of each month, review all new contracts to identify advertiser commitments for editorial inclusion.
• Create an editorial tracker spreadsheet to track:
  • Company Name
  • Publication
  • Commitment (e.g., “1 editorial within first 6 months,” or “Hot Spot October 2012”)
  • Contract Terms (e.g., “June 2012 – Nov 2013”)
  • Contact Name, Phone, and Email

4. Obtain Publisher Approval

• Before Promising Editorial Space:

  Account managers must get approval from the Publisher or Editor before including editorial commitments in agreements.

• Editorial space is limited, and issues are often planned 3–6 months in advance.

Best Practice: Avoid defining specific themes and issues for editorial commitments. Allow the Editor to choose the best-fit issue after consulting with the client.

5. Update your Editorial Tracker Regularly

• Maintain one master spreadsheet for all advertiser-linked editorial commitments.
• Create separate worksheets for each month’s closing (e.g., April 2020, May 2020, etc.).
• Send the updated tracker to the Editor within a few days after closing.