Underwriting Copy Restrictions

1)       WUTC will not include third party sponsors in an underwriting statement for any event, whether hosted by a not-for-profit organization or business. 2)       Copy cannot exceed 30 seconds on local programs (27 seconds on syndicated shows). All copy will be voiced by WUTC staff. 3)       Credits may not include qualitative claims or descriptions. Qualitative definition: Referring only to the characteristics of something being described, rather than exact numerical measurement. 2. Indicative only of relative sizes or magnitudes, rather than their numerical values. A qualitative comparison would say whether one thing is larger, smaller, or equal to another, without specifying the size of any difference. As opposed to quantitative. Examples include the word convenient. 4)       Credits may not contain comparative claims or descriptions. (Voted “Best Restaurant…”,” Winner of the 2005 award for…”, “With the only ___ available in Chattanooga”, “The area’s only certified provider”. 5)       Credits may not contain jingles or background music. WUTC reserves the right to leave in the background music in syndicated programs (at a low level). 6)       Credits may not include personal pronouns: Ex:  the words “you” or “your”. 7)       Credits should not contain any information regarding the price of, or value or savings received from the underwriter’s products or services. No solicitations of cash, checks, goods or services can be included in a statement for any non-profit organization, though a benefit can be mentioned. 8)       Credits should not contain any imperative or other language that could be construed as a “call to action”. 9)        Credits should not contain any inducement to buy, sell, rent, lease, or to “call” or “visit” the underwriter. 10)   Credits cannot mention any awards given or reward/incentive program or guarantee offered by the underwriter. 11)   Contests or giveaways of any kind are prohibited. 12)   One established slogan within the text is acceptable. All of the above restrictions are due to constraints placed upon public radio stations by the FCC.  If there is a gray area, please discuss it with us. WUTC reserves the right to give all final approval for spot copy.   Ken Dryden                            Development Director          (423) 425-4364 Ken-Dryden@utc.edu   Michael Manderson         Development Assistant   (423) 425-2376 Michael-Manderson@utc.edu