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Proper Use

While Auburn University prohibits employees from endorsing third-party products or services on behalf of the university, under limited circumstances and upon prior written approval from both (1) the Office Trademark Management and Licensing and (2) Office of the General Counsel, employees may be permitted to provide written or video commentary on their experience with a third-party. To be considered for approval, an employee must submit a request for approval containing the information specified below. Resulting materials are subject to production guidelines outlined below.

Application Criteria

Each application must provide the following information to be considered for approval. Information should be emailed to licensing@auburn.edu.

  • Campus Department or Office
  • Employees featured in the video or giving quote for written piece
  • Company requesting video or written testimonial
  • Overview of department’s relationship with the company
  • Purpose of video or written piece by company (how are they going to use it)
  • Benefits received by Auburn for participation
  • Length of time the video will run or written testimonial used
  • All documents that the company will ask Auburn University to sign or accept
  • If video, production requests by company
  • Acknowledgement by department head that this request for approval has been submitted

Written testimonial guidelines

If an application is granted, participation in a written testimonial is contingent upon the following guidelines:

  • The employee shall act as a representative of their department or office, and all references to Auburn University as a user of goods or services shall be qualified with the use of the department or office name (e.g., “Auburn University’s School of Dentistry” instead of “Auburn University”). In no event shall the employee’s written testimonial suggest that they are conveying a campus-wide opinion of the product or services.
  • The testimonial must include employee name, title and the fact that he or she is employed by Auburn University.
  • The only University logo that may be used in print or on a third party website is the department logo (AU with official college/department reference). This logo must be obtained from the Office of Communications and Marketing. The logo can only be placed next to the testimonial and cannot be used next to or in close relation to the company logo. The logo maybe used in a list that shows other universities with which the company does business.
  • Employees cannot be compensated by the vendor for the testimonial.

Video production guidelines

If an application is granted, participation in a video production is contingent upon the following guidelines:

  • The employee shall act as a representative of their department or office, and all references to Auburn University as a user of goods or services shall be qualified with the use of the department or office name (e.g., “Auburn University’s School of Dentistry” instead of “Auburn University”). In no event shall the employee’s dialogue suggest that they are conveying a campus-wide opinion of the product or services.
  • Video may include one shot of Auburn’s campus but shall not include any video shots of athletic venues. Suggestions for approved backdrop include Samford Hall with Auburn University sign.
  • Employee shall not wear Auburn University logoed product in the video.
  • The video may include employee name, title and the fact that he or she is employed by Auburn University. No University logos maybe used during the video.
  • Video must include the following disclaimer:
    • “The information included in this video is not an endorsement of the company or product, only a statement that Auburn University’s College of/Department of/Office of…uses the product/service of COMPANY NAME.”
  • Company must obtain releases from any individual included in the video.
  • Employees cannot be compensated by the vendor for participation in the video.

Final Approval

  • The written testimonial or video must be submitted to and obtain the written approval of the Office of Trademark Management and Licensing before finalizing and release. Auburn reserves the right to deny approval in its sole discretion.
  • All uses of the university and departmental logo must be submitted for approval.

Responsibilities of the campus department

  • Department head is responsible for ensuring the company ceases using the testimonial or video after the agreement has expired.
  • Department head is responsible for editing or having the video or testimonial removed if the individual involved is no longer employed by Auburn University.
  • Department head is required to sign off on the final draft of the written testimonial or video.
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