Marketing & Media Master Guide | Venue Family & The 418 Project

One-Page Marketing & Media Master Guide

Platform Media Specs, Video Thresholds, Copy Limits & Google Ads Blueprint · The 418 Project / Venue Family

Page 1 of 3 · Asset Specs

1. Visual & Video Specifications Matrix

Asset Slot	Where It Renders	Aspect Ratio	Target Resolution	Max Size	Video?	Text On Image
Banner	Hero header, sliders, email, Google Landscape	16:9 or 2:1	`1920 x 960` (2:1) `1200 x 628` (1.91:1)	10 MB img 2 GB vid	Yes	Short title + date badge. Center 70% safe.
Page (Poster)	Event hero poster, print, Google Portrait	4:5 or 1:1	`1080 x 1350` (4:5) `1200 x 1200` (1:1)	10 MB img 2 GB vid	Yes	Poster typography. Main title + date. No fine print.
List (Thumbnail)	Calendar grid, venue search, door kiosk	1:1 Square	`1080 x 1080` (min 600 x 600)	10 MB img	No	Zero text. Performer, stage, or visual focal point.
Gallery	Stage angles, seating, green room carousel	Any (4:3, 16:9)	`1920 x 1080`	10 MB img 2 GB vid	Yes	No text overlays. Clean venue / stage photography.
Background	Full-bleed ambient page background	16:9 Wide	`1920 x 1080`	10 MB img 50 MB vid	Autoplay	Zero text. Darkened / blurred ambient motion.
Logo	Header, Wallet passes, Google Ads mark	1:1 / 4:1	`1200 x 1200` `1200 x 300` (4:1)	5 MB	No	Transparent PNG logo mark with safe padding.
Promo Video	YouTube ad units, video player trailer	16:9 / 9:16	`1920 x 1080` (Horiz) `1080 x 1920` (Shorts)	2 GB max	Yes	Captions / kinetic typography in center 60%.

2. Google Ads Performance Max Character & Media Limits

Google Ads Text Constraints (Exact Code Caps)

Field	Max Length	Best Practice Example
Business Name	`25 chars`	`The 418 Project`
Short Headlines (1-5)	`30 chars`	`Samba Dance Showcase` (20) `Live Oct 18 · 7:30 PM` (19) `Live in Santa Cruz` (18) · `Get Tickets Online` (18)
Long Headlines (1-5)	`90 chars`	`Experience Live Dance & World Music at The 418 Project Santa Cruz` (66)
Short Description	`60 chars`	`Live dance, percussion, and music in downtown Santa Cruz.` (57)
Long Description (1-4)	`90 chars`	`Join us this Friday for an unforgettable evening. Reserve tickets before they sell out!` (89)
Call to Action	Fixed Enum	`BOOK_NOW` (default), `BUY_NOW`, `SIGN_UP`, `LEARN_MORE`

PMax Readiness Rules (Auto-Sync Pre-Requisites)

GoogleAdsAssetBuilder automatically syncs when all criteria pass:

Published Event: Event status is published and not private.
Upcoming Date: At least 1 future date exists where date >= today().
Landscape Image: Assigned to Banner (target 1200 x 628, min 600 x 314).
Square Image: Assigned to List (target 1200 x 1200, min 300 x 300).
Portrait Image: Assigned to Page (target 1200 x 1500 for mobile Discovery).
Logo Asset: Organization has an active Logo assigned.
Search Themes: Auto-constructs event name, type, and local hooks: "things to do in santa cruz", "live events santa cruz".

One-Page Marketing & Media Master Guide

Platform Listings Copy Blueprint: Event & Venue Text Architecture · The 418 Project / Venue Family

Page 2 of 3 · Platform Copy

3. Platform Event Listings: Field Architecture & Description Blueprint

Key Event Metadata Fields (Exact Platform Targets)

Field (Key)	Target Length	Best Practice & Purpose
Title `name`	`1–8 words`	Clear show or workshop title (e.g. "Samba Tropical Live"). Avoid ALL-CAPS or stuffing dates/venues.
Subtitle `subtitle`	`40–80 chars`	Single punchy summary sentence. Surfaces on calendar cards, search previews, and Google Ads short descriptions.
Category `type`	Canonical Enum	Concert, Dance, Theater, Workshop, Film, Class, Community, Festival. Drives calendar filtering and search indexing.
Age Policy `age_restriction`	Fixed Values	`All Ages`, `18+`, or `21+`. Crucial for door staff, ticketing validation, and bar policies.
Ticket Tiers & Links `links`	URLs + Tiers	Direct ticket links (Ticket Tailor, Eventbrite, or native tiers) + artist Spotify, Instagram, and EPK links.

Standard 5-Part Description Framework (300–600 words)

1. The Hook (Lead Paragraph):
Who is performing/teaching, what makes this evening special, the artistic vibe, and why someone should attend.
2. Schedule & Flow of Evening:
Exact timetable: Doors open time, performance/class start, intermission length, and event wrap-up.
3. Artist / Performer Bios:
1–2 paragraphs highlighting the artist's background, notable credits, past festivals, and creative journey.
4. Audience Logistics & House Rules:
Parking directions (155 River St / Tannery Arts Center), footwear policy (barefoot/socks for sprung wood floor), ADA accessibility, and concessions/BYOB rules.
5. Ticketing, Discounts & Refunds:
Advance discount vs. door pricing, sliding scale or work-trade availability, and refund/transfer policy.

4. Venue & Space Listings: Architectural & Rental Specifications

Space Identity, Capacities & Rates

Specification	Target Value	Description & Rules
Space Name (`name`)	Room Name	Specific space identifier (e.g. "The 418 Project: Main Theater", "Studio B: Movement Lab").
Headcounts & Area `capacity` / `sq_ft`	Standing / Seated	Detail maximum standing capacity, theater seated rows, cabaret table seating, and usable square footage.
Rental Rates & Terms `rentals` / `price_per_hour`	Hourly / Day Rates	Weekday vs. weekend rates, minimum booking hours, deposit terms, and rehearsal vs. public event tiers.
House Policies Permits & Curfews	Permit Bools	Alcohol service (`alcohol_permitted`), candle/open flame (`fire_permitted`), sound curfew (`decibels_permitted`), ADA access (`accessibility`).

Architectural Features & Technical Production Rig

✦ Sprung Wood Dance Floor:
Highlight professional cushioned sprung hardwood flooring — a key selling point for dancers, somatic practitioners, and physical theater.

✦ Theatrical Stage & Rigging Grid:
Stage dimensions, proscenium clearance, pipe grid load capacity, backstage green rooms, and direct load-in access.

✦ Audio, Lighting & Projection AV:
Detail console channels, wireless mics, programmable DMX lighting instruments, high-lumen video projector, and motorized drop screen.

✦ Add-On Packages & Production Services:
Clear pricing for audio engineers, lighting operators, grand piano tuning, post-event cleaning, and concessions staffing.

One-Page Marketing & Media Master Guide

Visual Composition Strategy, Angle Swipe Files & Pre-Flight Verification

Page 3 of 3 · Creative & Launch

5. Text-on-Image Strategy & Visual Layout

The 80/20 Rule for Ad Imagery

Google Ads algorithms suppress creatives with text covering > 20% of the image area. Keep overlays punchy and legible.

✓ Put ON the Image	✗ Keep IN Text Copy
• Event Title (1 line, bold sans-serif)	• Street address or phone numbers
• Date badge (`OCT 18` / `TONIGHT`)	• Full price breakdowns ($15 Gen / $10 Stu)
• Venue stamp (`THE 418 PROJECT`)	• URLs (`www.the418project.com`)
• Badge pill (`WORKSHOP` / `LIVE`)	• Sponsor logo walls & legal disclaimers

Safe Margin Blueprint

▲ TOP 15% CLEAR ZONE (Google header, favicons, close buttons)

★ CENTRAL 70% SAFE ZONE ★
Focal subject + Bold title + Date badge only.
Contrast against 40–50% dark gradient scrim.

▼ BOTTOM 20% CLEAR ZONE (Google headline overlays & CTA pills)

6. Ready-to-Use Copywriting Swipe Files

Angle A · Concert / Show

Live Music & Showcase

Short Headlines:
• Samba & Live Drumming (21)
• Live at The 418 Project (23)
• Get Tickets Online (18)

Long Headline:
Experience Live Dance & World Percussion at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz (75)

Short Description:
Live dance, percussion, and music in downtown Santa Cruz. (57)

Image Overlay Text:
SAMBA TROPICAL · OCT 18 · DOORS 7PM

Angle B · Workshop

Movement & Classes

Short Headlines:
• Contact Improv Workshop (23)
• All Levels Welcome (18)
• Sprung Wood Dance Floor (23)

Long Headline:
Drop-in Movement & Dance on Santa Cruz's Premier Sprung Wood Dance Floor (74)

Short Description:
Elevate your movement practice at The 418 Project. (50)

Image Overlay Text:
CONTACT IMPROV · SUNDAYS 10 AM

Angle C · Space Rental

Theater & Space Rental

Short Headlines:
• Affordable Venue Rentals (24)
• Theater & Stage Rental (22)
• Instant Rental Quotes (21)

Long Headline:
Rent The 418 Project: Theaters, Sprung Dance Floors & Event Spaces (72)

Short Description:
Flexible spaces for performances, rehearsals, and parties. (57)

Image Overlay Text:
SANTA CRUZ VENUE RENTALS · STAGES & STUDIOS

7. Pre-Flight Launch & Sync Checklist

Public & Published: Event status is set to published and not private.
Future Date Confirmed: At least one upcoming date exists (date >= today).
Dedicated Banner (16:9/2:1): Uploaded to Banner slot (not borrowed).
Dedicated Square (1:1): Uploaded to List slot (sharp, uncompressed).

Poster (4:5): Uploaded to Page slot for hero and mobile Discovery.
Text Area < 20%: Visual focal point is clear; no cluttered fine print.
Ticketing Configured: Ticket tiers active or rental inquiry enabled.
Toggle Active: Set Google Ads toggle to Active in Marketing Overview.