Sponsor social media

Entitled sponsors can utilize the event social media channels to post messaging. Sponsor social media posts must present an offer, service or promotion to the event audience which will further integrate sponsor into the event. Brand equity messages will not be accepted.

Event channels:*

• Facebook: facebook.com/ChicagoMarathon
• Instagram: instagram.com/ChiMarathon
• Twitter/X: twitter.com/ChiMarathon
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoDistanceSeries/

*Channels available for content creation vary by partner level and contract. See partner level details and platform guidelines below.

• OFFICIAL AND SUPPORTING PARTNERS

  Instagram

  • Instagram stories: Available for all messaging. Our preferred placement for sponsor content. Partners are eligible to create up to 2 slides per post.
    • Specs:
      • Copy: Maximum 80 characters
      • Creative: 1080 x 1920 px
    • Feed posts: Available for key moments. The content must feel like something the event would post on its own and be clearly related to the participant experience. Content must be mutually agreed upon. If the content does not match the channel’s voice/content themes the event reserves the right to decline sharing the post.
      • Examples: Participant item announcement, exciting event specific activation
      • Specs:
        • Video (Reel): 1080 x 1920 px
        • Photo: 1000 x 1000 px
        • Copy: Maximum 2,200 characters
      • Collaboration posts: Available for significant event participant experience announcement/updates. The content must feel like something the event would post on its own. Content must be mutually agreed upon. If the content does not match the channel’s voice/content themes the event reserves the right to decline the collaboration.
        • Examples: Participant item announcement, exciting expo activation
        • Specs:
          • Video (Reel): 1080 x 1920 px
          • Photo: 1000 x 1000 px
          • Copy: Maximum 2,200 characters

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  Facebook: Available.

  • Specs:
    • Video (Reel): 1080 x 1920 px
    • Photo: 1000 x 1000 px
    • Copy: Maximum 500 characters

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  Twitter/X: Available.

  • Specs
    • Video: 800 x 450 px
    • Photo: 1600 x 900 px
    • Copy: Maximum 280 characters

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  YouTube: Available for long-form videos produced by the partner. Content must feel authentic and relevant to the participant experience. Content must be mutually agreed upon. If the content does not match the channel’s voice/content themes the event reserves the right to decline sharing the video.

  Examples: Training tips, runner story

  • Specs:
    • Video: 1920 x 1080 px
    • Copy: Headline: 3-8 words; caption: 5,000 characters

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  Timing of content

  Official and supporting level partners can post up to twice a month in the two months leading up to the event, and once a month every other month. Posting on multiple platforms on the same day qualifies as one post. Dates to be agreed upon with event.

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  Schedule

  • Bank of America Chicago Marathon
    • 1 post per month: January – August and November – December
    • 2 posts per month: September – October

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• ASSOCIATE, MEDIA, COMMUNITY AND VENDOR PARTNERS

  Instagram

  • Instagram stories: for all messaging. Our preferred placement for sponsor content. Partners are eligible to create 1 slide per post.
    • Specs:
      • Copy: Maximum 80 characters
      • Creative: 1080 x 1920 px
    • Feed posts: Not available.
    • Collaboration posts: Not available.

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  Facebook: Available.

  • Specs:
    • Video (Reel): 1080 x 1920 px
    • Photo: 1000 x 1000 px
    • Copy: Maximum 500 characters

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  Twitter/X: Available.

  • Specs
    • Video: 800 x 450 px
    • Photo: 1600 x 900 px
    • Copy: Maximum 280 characters

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  YouTube: Not available.

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  Timing of content

  Associate level partners and below can post up to once per month. Posting on multiple platforms on the same day qualifies as one post. Dates to be agreed upon with event.

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Social Media Best Practices

Sponsor social media posts must be viewed as engaging to the event’s participant. Please draft the copy speaking from the event’s voice vs. the brands. Copy may be tweaked by event social media team to match event voice. Brand equity messages will not be accepted.

Sponsor to follow this process when submitting a request to utilize this asset:

• Update and send social worksheet at least two weeks before the desired post date(s).
• Event to edit and share final content one week prior to post date.
• Posts that do not follow this process will not be accepted.

Type of posts that do well with our running community:

• Relevant information to runners
  • Participant item announcement
  • Brand’s unique activation plan at the event
  • An offer or sweepstakes to win an item
  • Training tips
  • Impactful runner stories
• Utilizing engagement features within platform (ex: polls in Instagram stories).
• Videos with event footage incorporated.
• Creative must be graphically pleasing. Please use running or race-related creative. Stand-alone logos are not recommended.

Social worksheet: https://www.dropbox.com/sponsorsocialmedia