Can the authorization be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures that demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Verify any narrow statutory exceptions before relying on e-signatures.

Who is authorized to sign for a company?

An officer or other person with delegated authority may sign; confirm authority by corporate resolution or officer certification if necessary to prove capacity in disputes.

Is notarization required for validity?

Not generally required for a marketing authorization, but specific uses or local rules may require notarization. Remote Online Notarization (RON) availability varies by state; verify with state notary guidance.

How can an authorization be revoked?

Revoke in writing, send notice to all affected parties, and require removal of materials per the agreement. Maintain a record of the revocation and the date of effect for enforcement.

What steps follow if a partner misuses the brand?

Document the breach, issue a cure notice as required by the agreement, demand removal, and pursue remedies in contract or trademark law if misuse continues.

How long must executed authorizations be kept?

Retain executed authorizations for the agreement term plus an appropriate post-termination period (commonly 3–7 years); follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) and any industry-specific retention mandates.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Marketing
Marketing Brand Authorization

Marketing Brand Authorization

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

MARKETING BRAND AUTHORIZATION

This Marketing Brand Authorization (the Authorization) is entered into on by and between Brand/Client: represented by , Address: (hereinafter "Brand"), and Creator/Agency: , Contact: (hereinafter "Creator").

Campaign Details

Campaign Name Primary Objectives Target Audience Primary Channels

Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Twitter

Other Channels

Deliverables

Deliverable 1

Description

Deliverable 2

Description

Deliverable 3

Description

Additional Deliverables / Notes

Compensation

Total Fee (USD) Deposit / Upfront Balance & Payment Schedule

Late Payment Terms

Taxes: Creator is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes arising from payments unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Usage Rights and License

Creator hereby grants Brand a license to use, reproduce, distribute, publicly display and create derivative works of the approved content (the Content) in the following media: for the territory: for a term of .

Sublicense/right to assign: permitted with Brand's prior written consent.

Credit/Attribution

FTC Disclosure Compliance

Creator affirms that all paid promotions shall include a clear and conspicuous disclosure of the commercial relationship in accordance with applicable advertising and consumer protection laws, including the Federal Trade Commission's endorsement guidance. Creator will:

Include an unambiguous disclosure in each post where the relationship is material.
Provide Brand with copies or screenshots of published content upon request prior to or within 24 hours after posting when requested by Brand:
Retain evidence of disclosure and engagement metrics for a minimum of .

Exclusivity

Exclusivity: Creator shall not endorse, promote or publish promotional content for competing products or services that directly compete with Brand during the exclusivity period.

Exclusivity Fee (if any)

Termination

Either party may terminate this Authorization upon written notice of days to the other party. Upon termination, Brand shall pay Creator for all accepted deliverables completed prior to the effective date of termination.

Kill Fee (if Brand cancels after work has commenced) Effect of Termination

Representations, Warranties and Indemnification

Creator represents and warrants that (a) Creator has the full right and authority to grant the rights granted herein; (b) the Content will be original and will not infringe the intellectual property or other rights of any third party; and (c) Creator will comply with all applicable laws and advertising rules. Creator shall indemnify and hold Brand harmless from and against any losses, liabilities or expenses arising from breach of these representations.

Brand represents that it has rights to any assets, marks or third-party materials provided to Creator and shall indemnify Creator for claims arising from Brand-supplied materials except where arising from Creator's breach.

Intellectual Property Ownership

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Brand retains ownership of its trademarks, logos and pre-existing IP. Creator grants Brand the license set forth above to the Content. Creator may retain a non-exclusive right to display final Content in Creator's portfolio and pitch materials if permitted below:

Portfolio Use Conditions

Revisions and Acceptance

Creator will provide up to rounds of revisions per deliverable. Brand will provide consolidated revision requests within days of delivery or the deliverable will be deemed accepted.

Data, Privacy and Confidentiality

Each party will comply with applicable data protection laws in handling personal data. Confidential information disclosed under this Authorization shall be held in confidence for unless otherwise required by law.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Authorization shall be governed by the laws of without regard to conflict of laws principles. Parties agree to attempt good faith mediation prior to initiating litigation.

Miscellaneous

This Authorization, together with any referenced schedules and attachments, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Brand/Client:

By:

Date:

Creator/Agency:

By:

Date:

What a Marketing Brand Authorization Does

A Marketing Brand Authorization is a written agreement that grants a named third party the limited right to use a company's brand assets—logos, trademarks, design elements, trade dress, and approved messaging—for specified promotional activities. It defines scope, permitted channels, quality controls, geographic limits, timeframes, and any sublicense or co-branding rules. The document typically identifies approved file formats, color palettes, and mandatory attribution or trademark notices, and it sets out termination rights and post-termination obligations for removal and destruction of branded materials.

Why a Formal Authorization Protects Brand and Legal Interests

A clear Marketing Brand Authorization reduces unauthorized use, preserves trademark distinctiveness, and defines remedies for misuse. When signed electronically it is enforceable under federal ESIGN rules (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes (1999) where adopted; include consumer-facing disclosures when required.

Typical Teams and Partners That Use This Authorization

Organizations use brand authorizations to standardize partner marketing, control co-branding, and document IP permissions before campaigns run.

Marketing teams and brand managers who approve external creative and asset distribution.
Agencies and resellers granted limited rights to advertise products on behalf of the company.
Franchisees, distributors, or channel partners who must follow brand rules in local promotions.

Clear assignment of responsibilities in the authorization minimizes disputes and speeds review by legal and marketing operations teams.

Who Can Sign and Their Roles

Brand Owner

Chief Marketing Officer or authorized corporate officer who holds authority to license trademarks and approve branding standards; their signature confirms corporate consent and internal compliance.

Authorized Agent

A named marketing agency or channel partner with written authority to act for limited promotional uses, bound by quality control, reporting, and indemnity obligations in the authorization.

Essential Clauses to Include in a Professional Authorization

A robust Marketing Brand Authorization combines rights with controls: it clearly limits uses, defines quality standards, and preserves the licensor's IP while specifying remedies and return obligations.

Parties & Definitions

Identify licensor and licensee, list brand assets by filename or registration number, and define core terms such as 'Promotional Materials' and 'Territory' to avoid ambiguity.

Grant of Rights

Specify exact permissions (display, reproduction, co-branding), media channels allowed, and whether sublicensing or transfers are permitted; restrict uses to listed campaigns.

Permitted Uses

List approved asset versions, color and layout rules, and mandatory trademark legends or attribution language to preserve consistent brand presentation.

Restrictions & Controls

Prohibit derogatory use, modification beyond approved templates, or usage that implies endorsement; include approval workflow and pre-publication review requirements.

Term & Termination

State effective date, renewal mechanics, and termination triggers; require removal of materials within a set timeframe after termination to avoid ongoing infringement.

Indemnity & Remedies

Allocate responsibility for infringement claims, specify corrective actions and damages, and reserve injunctive relief for unauthorized uses that harm the brand.

Core Information to Gather Before Drafting

Brand Name: Full legal entity

Trademark ID: Registration number

Approved Logos: File names and formats

Usage Guidelines: Color, spacing rules

Territory: States or countries

Term: Start and end dates

Step-by-Step: Completing a Marketing Brand Authorization

Follow these core steps to prepare, approve, and distribute an executed authorization efficiently.

01

Prepare Assets: Gather approved logos, colors, and examples for attachment.
02

Define Scope: Select permitted uses, channels, territory, and term.
03

Obtain Approvals: Route to legal and brand teams for review.
04

Sign and Archive: Execute signatures and store the final document securely.

Recommended Digital Workflow Settings

Configure your e-signature workflow to enforce authentication, approvals, and archival before sending to external partners.

Field	Configuration
Authentication Method	Email plus SMS code or stronger
Conditional Fields	Show asset lists only for selected channels
Template Name	Marketing Brand Authorization v1
Auto-reminders	Send reminders every 3 days

Where to Send the Completed Authorization

After execution, route copies to internal stakeholders and store the signed file in a secure document system for compliance and auditability.

Brand Legal: Retain executed original for legal records.
Marketing Ops: Store approved assets and usage notes.
External Partner: Provide partner with signed copy and asset package.
Records Archive: Index in corporate document management system.

Technical Considerations for Digital Signing and Storage

Choose a platform that exports tamper-evident PDFs, captures an audit trail, and supports your authentication needs.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX accepted; export signed PDF
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace supported
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or stronger methods

Typical Timelines and Deadlines

Establish clear internal deadlines for approvals, signature completion, and removal of assets after termination to avoid inadvertent misuse.

Internal Review Window:

Allow 3–5 business days for legal review

Partner Signature Period:

Request signature within 7–14 days

Renewal Notice:

Issue renewal offer at least 30 days before expiry

Post-Termination Removal:

Require removal within 10 business days

Record Retention Start:

Retention begins on effective date

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Unclear scope: granting broad or unspecified rights that lead to unauthorized uses and reputation risk.
Missing asset versions: failing to attach approved files causes partners to use outdated or unapproved logos.
No quality controls: omitting color, spacing, or placement rules leads to inconsistent brand presentation.
Ambiguous signatory authority: accepting signatures without confirming signer capacity creates enforceability issues.

Potential Consequences of an Incorrect Authorization

Trademark Infringement: Unauthorized use

Breach of Contract: Damages and injunctive relief

Copyright Violation: Removal demands and liability

Loss of License: Revocation of permissions

Regulatory Exposure: Industry-specific fines possible

Reputational Harm: Brand dilution risk

eSignature Provider Comparison for Brand Authorizations

Basic pricing and feature checklist to compare typical eSignature providers for executing Marketing Brand Authorizations; signNow is listed first for easy comparison.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Real-World Examples of Brand Authorization Use

These brief examples show how organizations apply a Marketing Brand Authorization to control external marketing and preserve compliance.

Optica Ventures

Optica standardized external partner assets to reduce misbranding and ensure consistency.

Simplified external approvals.
"The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Martin Properties

A property manager used a brand authorization to permit local brokers to market listings under strict logo and color rules.

Faster campaign launches.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security."

Frequently Asked Questions about Marketing Brand Authorizations

Answers to common questions about execution, enforceability, revocation, and storage of brand authorizations.

Need help? Contact support

Can the authorization be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures that demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Verify any narrow statutory exceptions before relying on e-signatures.
Who is authorized to sign for a company?
An officer or other person with delegated authority may sign; confirm authority by corporate resolution or officer certification if necessary to prove capacity in disputes.
Is notarization required for validity?
Not generally required for a marketing authorization, but specific uses or local rules may require notarization. Remote Online Notarization (RON) availability varies by state; verify with state notary guidance.
How can an authorization be revoked?
Revoke in writing, send notice to all affected parties, and require removal of materials per the agreement. Maintain a record of the revocation and the date of effect for enforcement.
What steps follow if a partner misuses the brand?
Document the breach, issue a cure notice as required by the agreement, demand removal, and pursue remedies in contract or trademark law if misuse continues.
How long must executed authorizations be kept?
Retain executed authorizations for the agreement term plus an appropriate post-termination period (commonly 3–7 years); follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) and any industry-specific retention mandates.

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