A rotating sponsor banner, simply referred to as a "sponsor banner" or "sponsor carousel," is a fairly common feature on websites, particularly those related to events, conferences, sports, or other activities where sponsors contribute financial support in exchange for visibility: for example, live-streaming. It is a graphical element that displays the logos or names of various sponsors in a rotating or sliding manner on a webpage.
It's purpose is to give sponsors exposure and recognition while ensuring multiple sponsors feature in a limited space. Instead of displaying all sponsor logos at once, the banner rotates through them, typically on a loop, so each sponsor gets its moment in the spotlight. This is often seen on event websites, where sponsors help fund the event, and their logos are displayed prominently to acknowledge their support.
What’s the difference between a rotating banner and a sponsor banner?
Yes, there is a contrast between both, although the two terms can sometimes overlap or be used in conjunction, especially in the context of live streaming or event websites.
Rotating banner:
- A rotating banner typically refers to a graphical element on a website or digital platform that displays images, messages, or content that change or rotate periodically.
- These rotating banners are often used for various purposes, such as showcasing featured products, promoting content, providing announcements, or simply adding dynamic visual elements to a website.
- Rotating banners may not necessarily be related to sponsorship and can serve a wide range of informational or promotional purposes.
Sponsor banner:
- A sponsor banner, on the other hand, specifically pertains to a banner or section of a website, live stream, or event dedicated to acknowledging and promoting sponsors.
- Sponsor banners are designed to display the logos, names, or messages of organizations or individuals who have provided financial or in-kind support to an event, live stream, or website in exchange for visibility.
- Sponsor banners are used to recognize and promote sponsors' contributions and are common in the context of events, sports, conferences, and live streaming.
In some cases, users may find a "rotating sponsor banner," combining both elements. It rotates through the logos or names of sponsors, offering exposure to sponsors in a dynamic and changing manner. The terminology used can vary, so it's essential to consider the context to understand whether a banner is primarily for rotating content or for sponsor recognition.
How to use rotating sponsor banners
The rotating sponsor banner can be implemented in various ways. It may be a horizontally scrolling banner at the top or bottom of a webpage, a carousel that users can interact with by clicking arrows or dots to cycle through sponsor logos or even an automatic slideshow. The choice of design and functionality can depend on the website's layout and the preferences of the event organizers.
In addition to event websites, rotating sponsor banners can be found on the websites of sports teams, nonprofit organizations, and various other entities that rely on sponsorships to help cover their expenses.
Rotating sponsor banners in the context of live-streaming
These are specifically designed for use during live video broadcasts, such as live streams of sports events, gaming, conferences, or other online content. These banners are intended to provide sponsors with visibility and recognition during the live stream.
In the context of live streaming, rotating sponsor banners can serve a few different purposes:
Promotion and sponsorship recognition. Live streams often have sponsors that support the content or event being broadcast. Rotating sponsor banners are used to display sponsor logos or names intermittently on the screen, providing sponsors with recognition and exposure to the audience.
Revenue generation. Live streamers may use rotating sponsor banners as a source of revenue. Sponsors pay for advertising space on the live stream, and their logos or messages are displayed as part of the stream. This can be a monetization strategy for content creators.
Dynamic and engaging content. For viewers, rotating sponsor banners can add an element of visual interest to the live stream. Rather than having a static sponsor logo on the screen throughout the entire stream, the rotating banner keeps the visual content dynamic.
The implementation of rotating sponsor banners in live streaming can vary. They may appear as overlays on the video stream, be positioned in specific corners of the screen, or even temporarily cover a portion of the video. Some platforms and software tools offer built-in features for creating and managing these banners, allowing streamers to easily customize their appearance and rotation interval.
It's essential for content creators and event organizers to strike a balance between sponsor visibility and the viewer experience. While sponsors should receive recognition, viewers' enjoyment of the content should not be compromised by excessive or intrusive sponsor banners.
Types of rotating sponsor banners in live-streaming
Several types of rotating sponsor banners are available for live streaming, each with its own features and capabilities. The choice of which type to use depends on the specific needs of the live stream and the preferences of the content creator or event organizer. Here are some common types of rotating sponsor banners for live streaming:
Static image carousel. This type displays a series of static sponsor images or logos in a carousel format. The images rotate at predefined intervals. This is a straightforward and widely used format, often seen in the lower thirds of the screen.
Ticker or scroll banner. A ticker banner scrolls horizontally or vertically across the screen, displaying sponsor names, logos, or messages one after the other. This type is commonly used at the bottom of the screen.
Corner logo display. Sponsors' logos or graphics can be displayed in one or more corners of the video frame. These logos may cycle or change periodically, allowing each sponsor to be prominently featured.
Full-screen advertisements. In some cases, full-screen sponsor advertisements or banners can be displayed during breaks or transitions in the live stream. These can be used to showcase sponsors in a more prominent way.
Clickable overlays. Some rotating sponsor banners may allow viewers to click on a sponsor logo or banner to access additional information, external links, or special promotions related to the sponsor.
Interactive banners. Interactive banners may include features like animation, clickable buttons, or user engagement elements, making them more engaging and interactive for viewers.
Countdown banners. These banners can include countdown timers to create excitement for upcoming events, product launches, or promotional periods sponsored by the advertiser.
Custom animations. Highly customizable rotating banners can incorporate custom animations, transitions, and effects to make sponsor promotion more visually appealing and distinctive.
Text-based rotations. In addition to logos and images, some rotating sponsor banners include text-based sponsor messages or announcements that cycle through.
Sponsor message marquees. Marquee-style banners display scrolling text messages, which can be used to convey sponsor messages, promotions, or event announcements.
The choice of which type of rotating sponsor banner to use depends on the specific goals of the live stream, the design preferences, and the technical capabilities of the streaming software or platform being used. It's important to strike a balance between promoting sponsors effectively and ensuring a positive viewing experience for the audience.
Creating sponsorship banners on Streams Charts
Streams Charts recently introduced a special Rotating Sponsorship Banner tool. With it, any site user can easily create their own live-streaming advertising campaigns, while PRO users can customize their stream an unlimited number of times.
How to create a banner?
How to add a banner to OBS/XSplit?
- Create and copy the banner link.
- Open OBS or XSplit apps and get to the Sources menu.
- Press "+" and pick Browser (or Browser source in XSplit).
- Name the source and press "OK".
- Paste the banner link in the URL field.
- Select the desired width and height to match the size of your banner.
- Pick a position for the browser source on your stream layout.
- Save your changes.
Creating banners with Streams Charts will suit streamers on a wide range of platforms, including popular ones like Twitch, Kick, and YouTube. They must remember to choose the right banner size as per their needs, but usually, the standard size for such an image is 900 by 480 pixels.
A few popular tools to make rotating sponsor banners
Creating rotating sponsor banners typically involves graphic design software or specialized plugins for websites and live-streaming platforms. Here are six sought-after tools and methods to build rotating sponsor banners:
Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is a widely used graphic design software that allows you to create static or animated banners with sponsor logos and messages. You can create a series of images to be rotated in your banner, and it is much more detailed and perhaps the most trusted of all the entries here.
Adobe Illustrator: Adobe Illustrator is another Adobe software useful for creating vector graphics, including sponsor logos. You can design logos and banners that can be used for sponsor recognition.
Canva: Canva is an online design platform that offers various templates and tools to create banners, including rotating sponsor banners. You can easily design and export your banners for use on websites or live streams, and many of its features are free to use for those restrained by a tight budget.
WordPress plugins: If you're using WordPress for your website, there are plugins like "Smart Slider 3" or "Slider Revolution" that allow you to create rotating banners easily. These plugins often have options for adding sponsor logos and messages.
Third-Party banner tools: Third-party tools and services like Bannersnack, Crello, or Bannerwise specialize in creating banners for websites or advertising campaigns. Many of them offer banner rotation features.
Live streaming software: If you're creating rotating sponsor banners for a live stream, streaming software like OBS Studio, XSplit, or Streamlabs OBS allows you to add and configure rotating banners as part of your live stream overlays. Streamlabs might be the most renowned and famous of the three, and some of its features are worth checking out just for the sheer quality of work they provide.
It's important to consider your specific needs, budget, and the platform where you'll be using the rotating sponsor banners when choosing a tool. Some options are more suitable for website banners, while others are better for live streaming or digital advertising.