Brand safety guidelines for advertising

The Weather Network (TWN) and MétéoMédia (MM) is Canada’s most trusted weather and news source, dedicated to providing informative and engaging content that reveals the remarkable in every day. Our brand is built on a foundation of scientific integrity, curiosity, and a deep respect for our audience. We strive to create a family-friendly environment that fosters connection and understanding of the world around us. Therefore, all advertising on our digital platforms must adhere to the following guidelines:

General principles

  • Alignment with TWN/MM Brand Values: Advertising content must align with our core values: Curiosity, Passion, Thoroughness, Integrity, Relatability, Courage, and Charisma. It should reflect our commitment to science, education, and positive engagement with the world.
  • Family-Friendly Environment: TWN/MM is a family-friendly platform. Advertising content must be suitable for all ages (unless specifically targeted e.g. alcohol, cannabis, gambling – guidelines apply for these categories).
  • Accuracy and Truthfulness: All advertising claims must be accurate and truthful. Misleading or deceptive advertising is strictly prohibited.
  • Respectful Content: Advertising content must be respectful of all individuals and groups. Discrimination, hate speech, or any form of derogatory messaging is unacceptable.
  • Safety and Responsibility: Advertising content must not promote unsafe behavior, including but not limited to: violence, the use of weapons, dangerous activities, or irresponsible environmental practices.
  • Adherence to Advertising Regulations: All advertising campaigns must adhere to advertising regulations. There are additional Pelmorex guidelines for alcohol, gambling, political and cannabis advertisements – for more information please reach out to your Client Partner.

Specific prohibitions

Nudity and Sexual Innuendo: Explicit or suggestive nudity, sexual acts, or sexual innuendo are strictly prohibited.

Violence and Gore: Graphic or excessive violence, including depictions of physical harm, torture, or death, is not permitted. This includes imagery that glorifies violence or minimizes its impact.

Weapons: The display or promotion of weapons (firearms, knives, etc.) is prohibited, except in cases where the weapon is an integral part of a historically accurate or educational context, subject to review and approval by the Pelmorex Creative Director. Toy weapons are also subject to review.

Discrimination and Hate Speech: Advertising content must not promote discrimination or hatred based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Controversial or Sensitive Topics: Advertising that exploits or sensationalizes controversial or sensitive topics (e.g., political issues, social unrest, natural disasters) is generally prohibited. Exceptions may be made for public service announcements or advertisements related to legitimate news reporting, subject to review.

Misleading or Deceptive Claims: Advertising content must not make false or misleading claims about products, services, or their effectiveness.

Inappropriate Language: Profane, vulgar, or offensive language is not permitted.

Movie advertising considerations

Contextual Relevance: Promotional materials should be contextually relevant to the TWN/MM environment. Content that is excessively violent, sexually suggestive, or otherwise inappropriate for our audience will not be accepted.

Emphasis on Thematic Elements: We encourage movie advertisers to focus on the thematic elements of their films, such as storytelling, character development, and artistic merit, rather than relying solely on potentially problematic visual content.

Enforcement

Review Process: All advertising content is subject to review and approval by the Pelmorex Creative Director.

Right to Refuse: TWN/MM reserves the right to refuse or remove any advertisement that does not comply with these guidelines.

Partnering for success; maximizing your campaign impact

At The Weather Network and MétéoMédia, we believe that brand safety is a shared responsibility. Our Brand Safety Guidelines are designed not only to protect our trusted environment but also to ensure that your advertising campaigns resonate with our engaged audience and achieve maximum impact. We understand that navigating guidelines can sometimes feel restrictive, but we view these standards as a foundation for successful collaboration.

We’re committed to working closely with you to find creative and effective ways to showcase your brand within our guidelines. Our team is available to discuss your specific campaign objectives and offer guidance on how to align your messaging with our brand values and audience expectations. We believe that when we work together, we can create campaigns that are both brand-safe and highly effective, ultimately benefiting both our audiences and our businesses. By adhering to these guidelines, we create a positive and receptive environment for your brand message, fostering trust and engagement with our viewers. We’re here to help you get the most out of your advertising investment while preserving the integrity of The Weather Network brand. Let’s work together to create a winning campaign.