Branding Cases
Case A: Presentations
Susan, the president of the TAMU chapter of AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers), is preparing a slideshow that she will deliver at an upcoming national conference. May she use the TAMU template or other branded images for her slideshow, which includes the logo in the header of every slide?
Answer:
Yes, since Susan is a TAMU student and is representing the university at the conference, she may use the logo in a prominent place such as the header or may use a TAMU slideshow template provided at the University Brand Guide.
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Image source: The Catholic University of America. "Law School Participates in Catholic University's 'Embassy Row.'" 11 Jan. 2013
Case B: E-folios
Jeff is a student enrolled in a CHEN technical communications class that is required to create a professional online portfolio. As as proud Aggie student, he would like to include the TAMU logo in the header of the website he has created since he plans to use it in his search for a job beyond graduation. May he use the branded logo in the header as planned?
Answer:
No. He should not use the TAMU logo in the header of his personal website, even though he is creating it for a class. He will likely use the website beyond the class to promote himself professionally and individually (i.e., not representing an organization at the university or himself in an official university capacity).
Exceptions:
If he were limiting the site to the course and it were not available to anyone else but the instructor, thus it would be used only for a class assignment, he may use the logo.
If he wants to display a logo on a page where he has participated in a TAMU activity, such as a service project, or where he has received recognition for an accomplishment at the university, he may include it (such as on an academic page where he lists his degree). This case also represents appropriate uses of logos or other images from other organizations and companies. Caution: Always check with the company's branding guidelines before including their images in your work.
Case C: Social Media
Chris is the communications officer for the TAMU chapter of AIChE and would like to create a website or Facebook page for the organization to keep members current on upcoming events. May he use the TAMU branded images in his site?
Answer:
Yes, he may, since the site represents a university-recogonized organization. This use would apply to Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and other social media platforms the organization is using to represent itself. However, Chris and other members maintaining the site must remember that the site represents the university; thus all activity must reflect the ethical and professional behavior TAMU expects from its students.