The purpose of this Appendix is to establish a consistent framework for developing, approving, managing, and fulfilling sponsorship relationships with LKNConnect.
LKNConnect sponsorships are designed to provide businesses and organizations with sustained visibility and association with the Lake Norman community through LKNConnect’s digital magazine, original programming, Guides, social media channels, video content, community initiatives, events, and other approved platforms.
A sponsorship is a strategic visibility relationship. It is not simply the purchase of an advertisement.
The objective is to create a relationship in which:
All LKNConnect sponsorships should meet the following standards.
Sponsors should be businesses, organizations, or individuals whose products, services, reputation, and activities are reasonably compatible with the LKNConnect brand and the Lake Norman community.
LKNConnect reserves the right to decline or discontinue sponsorship relationships that may negatively affect the reputation, credibility, or community standing of LKNConnect.
Sponsorship does not provide the Sponsor with ownership or control of LKNConnect editorial content.
Unless specifically identified as sponsored or promotional content, editorial decisions remain solely with LKNConnect.
A Sponsor may not require LKNConnect to publish favorable editorial coverage, suppress legitimate editorial information, or alter independent editorial decisions as a condition of sponsorship.
LKNConnect sponsorships provide agreed-upon opportunities for visibility, awareness, community exposure, and brand association.
LKNConnect does not guarantee:
Audience measurements or historical performance information provided to a Sponsor are informational and should not be interpreted as guarantees of future performance.
Potential sponsorships should be evaluated based upon:
Major sponsorships, unusual sponsorship arrangements, or agreements involving significant financial commitments or exclusivity may require leadership approval before execution.
Each sponsorship must be documented through a written LKNConnect Sponsorship Letter of Agreement.
At minimum, the Letter of Agreement should identify:
Specific sponsorship deliverables should normally be contained in Exhibit A — Sponsorship Deliverables.
Using Exhibit A allows LKNConnect to maintain a standardized Letter of Agreement while customizing the visibility package for each Sponsor.
Sponsors are responsible for providing LKNConnect with the materials reasonably required to fulfill the sponsorship, including when applicable:
Materials should be provided within sufficient time for LKNConnect to meet scheduled publication or production dates.
Delays caused by missing Sponsor materials may require corresponding adjustments to the delivery schedule.
The Sponsor represents that it has the legal right to provide and authorize the use of all logos, photographs, trademarks, copy, video, and other materials supplied to LKNConnect.
LKNConnect will make commercially reasonable efforts to provide the sponsorship benefits identified in Exhibit A during the sponsorship term.
Depending upon the sponsorship, deliverables may include:
LKNConnect may make reasonable scheduling or placement adjustments when required by editorial schedules, technical requirements, community events, weather, platform changes, or other circumstances.
Any material change affecting the overall value of the sponsorship should be communicated to the Sponsor.
When a sponsorship includes an LKNConnect video program, podcast, interview, or other video-based production, Sponsor recognition will be incorporated into the program as specified in Exhibit A.
When a Sponsor is designated as a Sponsor of a specific video program, the program host will acknowledge the Sponsor by name at both the beginning and end of the program when that recognition is included in the sponsorship package.
The wording of the acknowledgment may vary by program and host but will clearly identify the sponsoring business or organization.
Where appropriate, additional visual recognition may include the Sponsor’s approved name, logo, or sponsorship identification within the opening, closing, or another designated portion of the program.
When a video program has multiple Sponsors, participating Sponsors will also be identified on a Sponsor Recognition Slide at the end of the program.
Sponsors appearing on the Sponsor Recognition Slide will be listed alphabetically by business or organization name, unless a different order is specifically established by sponsorship level or written agreement.
Alphabetical placement does not indicate sponsorship value, priority, endorsement, or preferential status.
Sponsor recognition will be incorporated in a manner consistent with LKNConnect’s production and editorial standards.
Sponsor logos, names, and other identifying materials must be supplied or approved by the Sponsor in sufficient time for production.
The specific recognition provided—including verbal acknowledgments, logo placement, Sponsor Recognition Slides, program identification, frequency, and other video-related benefits—will be documented in Exhibit A.
Sponsors of an LKNConnect program may receive recognition through the rotating Sponsor Banner displayed at the top of the program’s individual show page on LKNConnect.com, when included as a sponsorship benefit in Exhibit A.
The Sponsor Banner is designed to provide each participating Sponsor with individual visibility rather than displaying multiple Sponsors simultaneously on a single banner.
Each banner display will feature one Sponsor at a time.
Sponsor banners will rotate so that participating Sponsors are presented individually to visitors viewing the program/show page.
The rotating Sponsor Banner system may accommodate up to five (5) Sponsors per program/show page.
Each participating Sponsor will receive its own individual Sponsor Banner using the Sponsor’s approved business name, logo, branding, imagery, and other approved information in accordance with LKNConnect production standards.
When more than one Sponsor participates in the program, the individual Sponsor Banners will rotate through the designated banner location.
The presence of fewer than five Sponsors in the rotation does not provide any Sponsor with category or program exclusivity unless such exclusivity is specifically included in the Letter of Agreement or Exhibit A.
Sponsor Banner recognition will remain active for the period specified in Exhibit A.
LKNConnect retains control over the banner’s dimensions, technical specifications, placement, rotation method, design standards, and presentation to maintain consistency with the appearance and operation of LKNConnect.com.
LKNConnect should maintain a record of major sponsorship deliverables.
If LKNConnect is unable to provide a material deliverable identified in Exhibit A, LKNConnect may provide a reasonably comparable replacement opportunity, extension, additional exposure, substitute placement, rescheduling, or another mutually acceptable make-good.
Minor scheduling changes or changes caused by circumstances outside LKNConnect’s reasonable control do not automatically constitute failure to perform the sponsorship agreement.
No Sponsor receives category exclusivity unless exclusivity is specifically stated in the Letter of Agreement or Exhibit A.
If exclusivity is granted, the agreement should clearly define:
General sponsorship of LKNConnect does not automatically prevent LKNConnect from accepting advertising, editorial coverage, Guide or directory listings, or other business relationships involving competitors.
During the sponsorship term, each party may grant the other a limited, non-exclusive right to use approved names, logos, trademarks, and promotional materials solely for purposes associated with the sponsorship.
Ownership of intellectual property remains with its original owner.
Neither party acquires ownership rights in the other party’s trademarks, logos, copyrighted materials, or other intellectual property through the sponsorship relationship.
Upon termination or expiration of the sponsorship, future use of the other party’s intellectual property should cease except for archival material or as otherwise agreed in writing.
The sponsorship investment and payment schedule will be stated in the Letter of Agreement or Exhibit A.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing:
Applicable taxes, production expenses, event expenses, or third-party costs should be identified when they are not included in the sponsorship investment.
Each sponsorship should contain a clearly defined beginning and ending date.
Renewal will occur only by mutual agreement.
Either party may terminate the agreement for a material breach that remains unresolved after reasonable written notice and an opportunity to correct the breach.
LKNConnect may terminate a sponsorship if continued association with the Sponsor could reasonably create significant reputational, legal, ethical, or community concerns for LKNConnect.
Financial obligations and completed deliverables existing before termination remain subject to the terms of the executed Letter of Agreement.
The sponsorship relationship does not create a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, franchise, or agency relationship between LKNConnect and the Sponsor.
Neither party has authority to make commitments or representations on behalf of the other except as expressly authorized in writing.
Once a sponsorship is approved:
Every LKNConnect sponsorship should answer four questions before the Letter of Agreement is signed:
What is the Sponsor investing?
What will LKNConnect deliver?
When will LKNConnect deliver it?
Who is responsible for making sure it happens?
The signed Sponsorship Letter of Agreement and Exhibit A become the operating record for the relationship.
Power Communities, LLC d/b/a LKNConnect.com
Date: ___________________________________
Sponsor: ______________________________________________
Business/Organization: _________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
City/State/ZIP: ________________________________________
Primary Contact: _______________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________________
Dear __________________________________:
Thank you for becoming a Sponsor of LKNConnect. Our sponsorship relationships are designed to connect respected businesses and organizations with the Lake Norman community through consistent visibility, original programming, community information, and the LKNConnect digital platform.
This Letter of Agreement confirms the sponsorship relationship between Power Communities, LLC d/b/a LKNConnect.com (“LKNConnect”) and ________________________________ (“Sponsor”) and establishes the responsibilities and commitments of both parties.
The Sponsor will participate as a Sponsor of:
Program/Show/Initiative:
Sponsorship Level, if applicable:
The specific benefits included in this sponsorship are described in Exhibit A — Sponsorship Deliverables, attached to and incorporated into this Letter of Agreement.
Beginning Date: ________________________________________
Ending Date: ___________________________________________
The sponsorship will remain in effect for the period stated above unless extended or ended in accordance with this Letter of Agreement.
Renewal will occur only by mutual agreement between LKNConnect and the Sponsor.
Total Sponsorship Investment: $_________________________
Payment Schedule:
Payment Due Date(s):
Payments will be made to Power Communities, LLC according to the payment schedule above.
LKNConnect will provide the visibility and promotional opportunities identified in Exhibit A and will make commercially reasonable efforts to deliver those benefits throughout the sponsorship term.
Depending upon the sponsorship selected, these benefits may include website visibility, program sponsorship, video recognition, rotating Sponsor Banner placement, social media promotion, Guide placement, sponsored features or articles, event or community visibility, and other agreed promotional opportunities.
Specific deliverables, frequency, placement, and scheduling will be identified in Exhibit A.
When sponsorship includes an LKNConnect video program, the program host will acknowledge the Sponsor by name at the beginning and end of the program when included as a sponsorship benefit in Exhibit A.
When multiple Sponsors participate in a program, participating Sponsors will also be identified on a Sponsor Recognition Slide at the end of the program.
Sponsors appearing on the Sponsor Recognition Slide will be listed alphabetically by business or organization name, unless another arrangement has been specifically established in writing.
The order in which Sponsors appear does not indicate ranking, endorsement, priority, or preferential status.
When included in the sponsorship package, the Sponsor will receive visibility through the rotating Sponsor Banner located at the top of the applicable LKNConnect program/show page.
Each banner display will feature one Sponsor at a time, providing the Sponsor with individual banner visibility rather than sharing the banner simultaneously with other Sponsor logos.
The rotating Sponsor Banner may accommodate up to five (5) Sponsors for each program/show page.
When multiple Sponsors participate, their individual banners will rotate through the designated Sponsor Banner location.
LKNConnect retains responsibility for the technical operation, dimensions, placement, rotation, and overall production standards of the Sponsor Banner.
The presence of fewer than five Sponsors does not create exclusivity unless exclusivity is specifically provided in writing.
The Sponsor agrees to provide LKNConnect with the materials reasonably necessary to fulfill the sponsorship, which may include:
The Sponsor represents that it owns or has permission to use and authorize LKNConnect to use all materials provided.
Materials should be supplied in sufficient time to meet LKNConnect production and publishing schedules.
Delays in receiving required Sponsor materials may result in corresponding adjustments to delivery dates.
Sponsorship provides visibility and association with LKNConnect but does not provide ownership or control of LKNConnect editorial content.
LKNConnect retains final authority over editorial decisions, programming, publishing standards, presentation, and production.
Sponsored or promotional content may be identified as such when appropriate.
LKNConnect will provide the sponsorship visibility and promotional opportunities described in Exhibit A.
The Sponsor acknowledges that audience behavior and business results are affected by many factors outside LKNConnect’s control.
Accordingly, LKNConnect does not guarantee specific:
Historical audience or performance information provided by LKNConnect is intended to demonstrate previous performance and is not a guarantee of future results.
If LKNConnect is unable to provide a material sponsorship deliverable identified in Exhibit A, LKNConnect will make reasonable efforts to provide a comparable replacement opportunity.
A replacement may include additional visibility, extended sponsorship time, substitute promotional placement, rescheduling, or another mutually acceptable make-good.
Reasonable scheduling changes caused by weather, program changes, platform availability, technical circumstances, community events, or other circumstances outside LKNConnect’s reasonable control will not automatically constitute failure to fulfill the sponsorship.
Unless specifically stated in Exhibit A, sponsorships are non-exclusive.
No Sponsor receives automatic category, industry, geographic, program, or platform exclusivity.
Any exclusivity granted by LKNConnect must be specifically described in writing.
Each party retains ownership of its respective names, trademarks, logos, photographs, copyrighted materials, and other intellectual property.
During the sponsorship term, each party grants the other a limited, non-exclusive right to use approved materials as reasonably necessary to fulfill and promote the sponsorship.
Neither party acquires ownership of the other party’s intellectual property through this sponsorship relationship.
The sponsorship represents a commitment by both parties for the term identified in this Letter of Agreement.
If either party materially fails to fulfill its obligations, the other party will provide reasonable written notice and an opportunity to correct the issue.
LKNConnect may end a sponsorship relationship if continued association with the Sponsor could reasonably create significant legal, ethical, reputational, or community concerns.
Amounts due for sponsorship benefits already provided remain payable.
Any additional cancellation terms or financial commitments applicable to this sponsorship will be identified in Exhibit A.
The sponsorship relationship does not create a partnership, joint venture, franchise, employment relationship, or agency relationship between LKNConnect and the Sponsor.
Neither party has authority to make commitments on behalf of the other unless specifically authorized in writing.
Changes to the sponsorship term, investment, major deliverables, or other material provisions must be mutually agreed upon in writing.
Reasonable production and scheduling adjustments that do not materially reduce the overall sponsorship value may be made by LKNConnect as necessary.
This Letter of Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
This Letter of Agreement and Exhibit A — Sponsorship Deliverables represent the understanding between LKNConnect and the Sponsor regarding this sponsorship and supersede prior discussions or representations concerning the sponsorship.
By signing below, both parties acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to the terms described in this Letter of Agreement and Exhibit A.
Power Communities, LLC d/b/a LKNConnect.com
Authorized Representative:
Title:
Signature:
Date:
Business/Organization:
Authorized Representative:
Title:
Signature:
Date:
Sponsor: ______________________________________________
Program/Show/Initiative: ________________________________
Sponsorship Term: ______________________________________
Sponsorship Investment: $_______________________________
Payment Schedule: ______________________________________
| Deliverable | Included | Frequency/Quantity | Schedule/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program/Show Sponsorship | |||
| Opening Host Recognition | |||
| Closing Host Recognition | |||
| Closing Sponsor Recognition Slide | |||
| Rotating Show Page Sponsor Banner | |||
| Website Visibility | |||
| Social Media Promotion | |||
| Sponsored Feature/Article | |||
| Guide Placement | |||
| Event/Community Visibility | |||
| Other |
Sponsor will receive an individual banner within the rotating Sponsor Banner location:
Yes / No
Maximum Sponsors in Rotation: Five (5)
The parties acknowledge that this Exhibit A accurately describes the deliverables associated with this sponsorship.
LKNConnect Representative Initials: __________ Date: __________
Sponsor Representative Initials: __________ Date: __________
