Advertising Policy, Contract and Payment Information
The Publisher reserves the right to edit, alter, cancel, properly classify or omit any advertisements submitted for publication, or to insert the words “Paid Advertisement.” If rejected, any consideration paid will be returned to the advertiser and all parties will be released.
Forwarding of any order is construed as acceptance of all current rates and conditions.
Dates and times for cancellation of advertisement are the same as the deadlines for placing advertisements. If time permits, emergency cancellation of advertisements past deadlines will be accommodated for a 25% charge of advertisement cost.
Every effort will be made to honor position requests, but no specific section, page or position can be guaranteed and such requests will not be a condition of advertising.
Ads requiring respondents to send money are acceptable only when the ad contains a verified street address (P.O. Box not acceptable) and after approval of product value received.
The Press Democrat assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or omission of copy and will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion or for errors not clearly affecting the value of the ad. Liability for errors shall not exceed the line or portion of the ad that appeared incorrect. Claims for adjustment must be made within seven days of publication.
Advertiser and/or Advertising Agency agree to indemnify and hold The Press Democrat harmless from any and all liability, loss or expense arising out of, or in any way connected with, claims for libel, unfair business competition, infringement of copyright, trademark, trade name or patent, and violation of the right of privacy, and other proprietary rights resulting from the publication of Advertiser’s advertisement.
All copywriting, layout, photography, typography or press-work done by
The Press Democrat is the exclusive property of the newspaper, and reprinting of such material is strictly prohibited without prior consent from the Publisher.
Upon request, The Press Democrat will supply advertisers with a PDF version of their ad within 5 days of publication. The Press Democrat will not supply a “working file” for an advertisement.
The Press Democrat will not assume responsibility for poor quality artwork or print material furnished by the advertiser, nor for advertising material given to The Press Democrat for use in producing advertising.
Advertiser and/or advertising agency, or agent, assumes all liability for content of advertisements published (including illustrations, text, claims, etc.) and agrees to assume any and all responsibility for claims occurring therefrom against The Press Democrat.
The Press Democrat will not be responsible for printing material left 10 days after publication.
Incorrect rates on insertion orders, which do not correspond to the rate card will be regarded as clerical errors, and advertisements will be published and charged at the applicable rates. All discounts must be reflected on the original insertion order.
Rates apply to advertising space relating to the business owned by the advertiser. They cannot be used directly or indirectly to cover the advertising of any product of which advertiser may be a distributor; nor does it apply to any advertising classified as general rate advertising by the Publisher.
Advertising space contracted for will not be sublet to others, nor used for other purposes than herein named.
Advertisers who advertise as a group or association may qualify for an agreement as such group or association. All principals of the group or association must sign an addendum to the contract. All members of the group are jointly and severally liable for performance of the contracted advertising, and for payment of any rate adjustment charged in the event of the cancellation or non-fulfillment of the contract.
Digital Tearsheets are provided at no cost to advertisers. Paper Tearsheets are no longer available. We recommend a business subscription at the rate of $2.00 per week, for advertisers who wish to see a printed version of their ad.
Holiday rates apply to the day the following holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. These holidays are designated bonus circulation days, and receive weekend subscriber distribution.
The Advertiser will be billed at the end of each period at the contract rate if credit is approved. All accounts are due and payable on the 20th day after the statement billing date. All balances not paid by the end of the billing period following publications are subject to a FINANCE CHARGE OF 1.5% PER PERIOD. Payment is not contingent upon receipt of tear sheets or purchase order numbers. Delinquent accounts are subject to suspension of credit privileges without notice. The newspaper may require payment in full for any outstanding balance before accepting copy for publication or require cash payment with copy or both. Payment must be made in advance of publication for advertising placed by businesses without approved credit, private party advertising and political advertising.
Advertiser agrees that the placement and publication of advertising is governed by the Laws of the State of California. Advertiser agrees that the City of Santa Rosa and County of Sonoma, in which the newspaper is located, shall be the forum for any legal action relating to advertising placed or published.
In the event that any obligations, as a result of the extension of credit or any contractual agreement with The Press Democrat are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, the Advertiser also promises and agrees to pay collection costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
Any federal, state or local taxes imposed on the printing of advertising material or on the sale of advertising space in this newspaper shall be assumed and paid by the advertiser.
The Publisher reserves the right to revise contract rates and terms upon 30 days written notice to the Advertiser, who may then terminate the contract by giving written notice within 15 days after notice of rate revision. A continuance of advertising after new rates go into effect will constitute acceptance of them under all other terms of the contract.
If the Advertiser does not meet the revenue level contracted for, space used may be billed at the applicable revenue level earned. The short rate amount will reflect all advertising placed during the contract period back to the earned revenue level. No rebates will be given.
All terms and conditions stated in this Advertising Information Guide shall apply to all advertising contracts.
The Press Democrat shall not be held liable for failure to publish advertising or distribute inserts or samples as a result of strikes, riots, accidents, acts of God or other delays beyond its control and in no event shall it be liable for consequential or resulting damage.
The Press Democrat will not be held liable for failure to de-insert any product that is cancelled past deadline and the advertiser may be held responsible for all charges incurred if de-inserting is possible.
Other Policies Relating to Classified Advertising:
Classified Display ads are set to the nearest 1/4th inch and positioned as near classification as is practical and feasible, stacking from the bottom of the page up. All display ads must be bordered. Press Democrat Classified Advertising, display as well as lightface run of classification, is charged by the agate line. All ads one column inch or more in depth are measured and charged on the basis of 14 lines to the column inch.
Advertisements for offers of employment must state or indicate the general nature of work to be performed.
Sales employment advertisements must state the type of product or service to be sold unless the company name clearly indicates this fact and must state the basis of compensation when an earnings claim is made.
The Press Democrat reserves the right to apply a standard
abbreviation policy.
Minimum Classified Display ad is 1×1 except certain classifications or sections, which require 4 or 8-inch minimum. Minimum size show proof Classified Display ad is 21 column inches except under certain circumstances. Minimum reverse type size is 10 Point.
Classified Display ads that exceed 19-1/2 inches in depth on standard page and 11 inches on tabloid page will be positioned and charged full depth.
Classified contract and non-contract rates apply to ads run in the news sections (Run of Paper) as well as Classified sections. All real estate, employment, local automotive, rental and mortgage advertising whether running Classified, Run of Paper, preprint inserts, or any other Press Democrat product is serviced by the Classified Advertising Department.
All contracts are annual and self-renewing from the anniversary date.
All local classified advertising rates are non-commissionable. National classified advertising rates are commissionable at 15% to recognized agencies.
If advertiser does not meet minimum space or revenue level contracted for, the advertiser will be billed for space or revenue level actually earned plus monthly discount adjustments. Rate adjustments on Daily Frequency programs will be computed at: 35% short rate for up to 50% compliance, 20% for up to 75%, 10% for up to 90% and 5% for up to 99%. Contracts apply exclusively to firm named on contract. No rebates will be provided.
Monthly discounts are calculated based on contract level of advertiser and are allowed ONLY when payment in full is made by 20th day after statement billing date. Color, certain flat rates and specials do not qualify for discount.