Frequently asked questions
Questions we hear most often from advertisers booking a placement with Driftlantern.
About the service
What exactly is included in each placement?
Each of the three placements — the Neighbourhood Notes Mention, the Rail Trail Sessions Sponsorship and the West End Partnership — has its own fixed list of deliverables, shown on the services page. Nothing is added or removed once you've booked a format.
What area does Driftlantern cover?
We cover west Hamilton and Dundas: Westdale, Dundas, Ainslie Wood, the McMaster campus edge and the Rail Trail corridor. Our newsletter and podcast are written for readers and listeners in that area.
What format does the newsletter come in?
It's a plain-text-style weekly email with a roundup of local happenings, including the Neighbourhood Notes section where sponsor mentions appear. Most editions run a few hundred words and are meant to be read in a couple of minutes over coffee.
How long does a placement run?
A newsletter mention appears in one edition, an episode sponsorship covers one full episode, and the West End Partnership runs across four weeks.
Process and scheduling
How do I start?
Send a message through the contact form on our home page, or call our office directly. We'll confirm which format suits you and check upcoming availability.
What happens after I send my first message?
We reply, usually within one business day, to confirm the format and schedule. For an episode sponsorship or the West End Partnership we also set up a short briefing call.
How far ahead should I book?
Newsletter and episode slots fill up during busy local seasons, so booking a few weeks ahead gives you more choice of edition or episode date.
Will I see my ad before it runs?
Yes. Every placement includes a copy review step — we send the draft mention, host read script or article back to you before it goes out.
Pricing and payment
What do the prices include?
The published price covers the full format as described on the services page: the run length, the copy review and the reporting sent back afterward. There are no undisclosed add-on fees.
Do prices vary by business size?
No. The rate card is fixed and the same price applies to every advertiser who books a given format.
What if I need to cancel?
Our cancellation policy and refund policy set out the windows and process for each placement.
How do I pay?
We confirm payment details during booking; invoices are issued in Canadian dollars.
Practical
What are your working hours?
We're reachable Monday – Friday, 08:30–17:00, Eastern Time (ET) — Hamilton.
How do I reach the team?
Email [email protected] or call +1 289-795-7692 during office hours.
Where is your office?
Our office is at 1 West Avenue S, Suite 304, Hamilton, ON L8N 2R9, within the west Hamilton area we cover.
Do you offer any services outside advertising?
No — outside the newsletter and podcast, the only thing we sell is the three advertising placements on our rate card. We do not offer web design, social-media account management or event planning services, and we will say so plainly if you ask.
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