Corporate Sponsorship Guidelines
STLPR sponsor messages are distinctly different from the nature of commercial advertising. We are a 501(c)3 media organization that exists to serve the public. Our underwriting sponsorship messages do not shout at the audience or mislead them into action. They are not loaded with claims that can’t be proven. We seek to create the best sponsorships – smart, compelling statements that respect, inform, and serve our audiences.
We seek underwriting representing a broad spectrum of funding sources. All funding sources are considered under the “access” principle, which means that we have no list of sources for which funding will not be accepted. We follow best practices for underwriting sponsored content including the implementation of a firewall between our business operations and our news operations. The companies that provide financial support for STLPR services do not have any control over, or involvement in, our programming or editorial processes.
These Guidelines govern the recognition of corporate and other sponsors of public radio broadcast programming, digital products and services, podcasts, and the streaming of music on public radio digital platforms. The Guiding Principles and Criteria are drawn from public radio’s extensive experience with the regulation of sponsor recognition messages by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Guiding Principles
The following principles underlie these standards for sponsor recognition messages:
- The content of sponsor recognition messages in broadcast programming and on public radio digital platforms must respect and preserve the noncommercial nature of public radio. Sponsor recognition messages are not commercials, and they should be presented in a manner that maintains the uncluttered experience public radio listeners expect.
- Sponsor recognition messages should be consistent with the standards and core values of STLPR. Among other things, the content and context of sponsor recognition messages should not suggest any influence by the sponsor over programming or editorial decisions.
- All messaging must be reviewed for compliance with FCC regulations, COPPA compliance (kids shows), and assessed for alignment to our content brands and audiences.
Restricted Categories
We do not accept underwriting from the following categories:
- Weapons, replica weapons, weapons manufacturers, arms, arm fairs and gun clubs
- Profanity, offensive, or discriminatory language
- Criminal activities and content depicting or promoting violence or drug use
- Sexually suggestive audio, text or images
- Messaging directed at/collecting information from a child under 13
- Political advertising – candidate, campaign committees, political parties
- Messaging from lobbying agencies
- Messaging from any company for who the manufacture or sale of tobacco products is the sole activity
- Sports betting
- Federal law and University policy prohibit the sale or advertisement of marijuana on University of Missouri System property or at University-sponsored or University-supervised activities.
Special Review Categories
- CBD (digital)
- Fossil Fuel
- Crypto/Art Shares/Emerging Non-traditional Investments
- Recent publicized challenges/seeking reputation lift from scandal
- Special case advocacy organizations to review message and/or org for acceptance
Corporate Sponsorship Review Process:
The Director of Broadcast Operations reviews broadcast content. Members of the Leadership Team will be consulted if a special review of sponsorship messaging is required. The staff Programming Committee reviews audience feedback. A full list of sponsors is available to the public in our annual report for previous fiscal years. Additional questions can be directed to our comment line 314-516-6735 or hello@stlpr.org.