To ensure integrity and avoid conflicts of interest in testimonials regarding the use of commercial products and services appearing in advertising or media; to ensure that such statements do not expose the University to legal or reputational risk; and to ensure that such statements align with university communication goals and strategies.
This policy applies to testimonials by university employees for commercial products or services in which the university is identified.
Strategic Communications and Marketing.
University employees must submit a request and receive approval from the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing before providing a testimonial for a commercial product or service in which the university is identified. Approval will be contingent on compliance with the following parameters:
Employees are individually responsible for complying with any other University policies or procedures that may also apply when providing a testimonial. Approval granted pursuant to this policy does not constitute approval under any other policy or procedure, and compliance with this policy does not exempt the requestor from complying with applicable requirements and prohibitions contained in any other policy or procedure. Potentially applicable policies include, but are not limited to, policies related to external activities, conflicts of interest, and soliciting or accepting gifts from vendors. See “Related Policies” for a non-exhaustive list of selected references.
“Testimonial”: For the purposes of this policy, a testimonial is any statement, whether in print, audio, visual, electronic, and/or other format, about a commercial product or service, made for advertising or promotional purposes, regardless of whether any monetary or non-monetary compensation is given to the person giving the testimonial. This policy only applies to testimonials by university employees in which the university is identified.
“Identified”: For the purposes of this policy, the university is “identified” if either (a) the name of the university, whether in full, shortened, or abbreviated form, and/or (b) a logo, symbol, icon, or image, specifically associated with the university, appears in the testimonial or in accompanying materials. This includes testimonials in which the university is identified as the employer of the person giving the testimonial.
Prior Approval:
Before granting permission to participate in or distribute a testimonial, StratCom must review the text, images, and context of the testimonial to ensure that no endorsements or value judgments appear; all statements are factual and accurate regarding the University’s use; and there are no misleading references to the University or its representatives.
University employees should email stratcom@illinois.edu with the subject line “Requesting Approval for [Product/Service Name] Testimonial.” Include all draft text, images, or media context for review of all applicable policy requirements above.
Activities of Division of Intercollegiate Athletics employees that are covered by media contracts are not subject to this policy.
Strategic Communications and Marketing, 507 E. Green St., Champaign, IL, 61820; (217) 333-5010; stratcom@illinois.edu.