Prohibition on Commercial Appearances and Endorsement
In general, Johns Hopkins Medicine faculty, staff, and students may not appear in corporate videos, podcasts, or blogs that are created for commercial promotional or marketing purposes, or that could be interpreted as an endorsement of products or services. This includes content shown at internal company sales conferences or used in commercial sales contexts.
The Johns Hopkins Medicine name or logo may not be included on third-party materials used for commercial promotional or marketing purposes.
Appearances in industry-sponsored educational activity should be consistent with the JHU Policy on Interaction with Industry.
Other Permitted Activities
Research and educational activities are generally permissible so long as the primary purpose of the activity is not to endorse a particular company or its products, services, or other activities, and the activity is consistent with the JHM Policy on Interaction with Industry.
When speaking at conferences, whenever possible, faculty, staff, and students should speak in general terms and avoid referencing a specific company, product, or service in a manner that could be interpreted as endorsement.
Additional Guidance
For additional parameters around speaking, refer to the JHM Policy on Interaction with Industry.
Philanthropy and Development - Exception for Donor and Philanthropic Communications
This restriction does not apply to donor or philanthropic communications that are not tied to commercial sales or promotion.
Limited use in donor or fundraising-related materials may be permitted with prior approval, provided such use is consistent with approved recognition guidelines and does not imply endorsement.
Philanthropy and Development - Permitted Donor-Related Participation
Participation in donor, foundation, or fundraising-related videos, podcasts, or similar content may be permitted when the purpose is limited to factual acknowledgment of philanthropic support, institutional mission, or programmatic impact, and does not include promotion, endorsement, or commercial messaging. Such appearances must remain informational and non-promotional in tone. Content that highlights donor contributions must not position Johns Hopkins Medicine as endorsing or aligning with a donor’s commercial interests, products, or services.
References to donors or philanthropic supporters may be permitted in a factual, acknowledgment-based manner that does not promote commercial interests.
Philanthropy and Development - Restrictions on Language and Implied Relationships
Appearances and related content may not describe the relationship as a ‘partnership’ or use similar terminology implying formal endorsement or commercial alignment unless explicitly approved.