Podcast Policy
With podcasts gaining popularity as a method for informing and engaging the Liberty University community and external audiences, podcast creators and managers are responsible for ensuring that the content aligns with Liberty’s mission and adheres to the university’s professional standards for targeted engagement and quality production and delivery.
As a product of Liberty University, podcasts encompass many functions in our institution, from marketing to public relations, customer service, academia, and more. Podcasts produced by Liberty personnel, on Liberty time, and with Liberty-owned equipment are operating in an official university capacity. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for university faculty and staff in managing and producing university-owned podcasts so all products remain on brand and consistently represent the university with excellence.
Podcast Approval
- To qualify as an official university account, a department must initiate the approval process by submitting the Podcast Application for evaluation and
approval. - Official university accounts must adhere to the Podcast Policy and Brand Identity Guide.
Use of Liberty University name and marks
- Upon approval, please work with your designated Marketing Project Coordinator to create necessary brand elements for use on the account, including Liberty University logos, the profile picture, cover photo, icon, background, etc.
- University offices and groups that have created an account without prior approval must reach out to the Liberty University Marketing Department at marketing@liberty.edu. Please reference your podcast in the Subject line.
- Offices and groups lacking approval from Marketing are not authorized to use Liberty University logos or brand elements and will not be acknowledged as official university accounts.
- Podcasts should include “Liberty University” or “LU” wherever the podcast is advertised or accessed and should be clearly introduced as such at the beginning of every episode, whether it is “brought to you from Liberty University” or “powered by Liberty University.” Every podcast will benefit from LU’s strong brand identity.
Clear and consistent focus
- Podcasts will be reviewed based on their consistent focus in reaching intended audiences with topics relevant to the department or particular area of the university.
- Content should be limited to a host or guest’s area of expertise and knowledge.
Top-quality production
- Liberty University has become well known for its high level of quality and state-of-the-art broadcast and communications productions, and university podcast creators should strive for the same top-tier quality.
- Marketing/Communications staff are available to offer feedback and provide general best practices, including recommendations on audiovisual equipment and production tips. Contact Elliot Miller ERMiller@liberty.edu or Connor Nash CWNash@liberty.edu for more information.
Appropriate content
- Do not broadcast confidential, private, or proprietary information. Some information about students, alumni, employees, and research subjects is protected by privacy laws, which also apply to podcasts. Content generated by the university on podcasts must align with the Liberty Way and Liberty University’s overarching mission. Violation of this standard may result in the termination of the account.
- Podcast creators should follow professional dress and appropriate behavior as outlined in the Liberty Employee Handbook.
- Avoid the use of brands and logos other than Liberty in your video podcasts, which could be copyright infringement.
- It’s a good idea to limit the length of your podcasts in order to maintain listeners — 20-25 minutes is recommended.
Distribution
- As noted in your application, the department producing the podcast must present a marketing and distribution plan, outlining the intended audiences and goals.
Quality control
- Designate someone in your department to perform a quality control review before going live to ensure names, job titles, and facts discussed are accurate, including all text that may appear in conjunction with the audio or video format, across all platforms where your podcast can be accessed.
Analytics
- Podcast creators must submit data and analytics at the close of every semester. This will help Liberty to review the podcast’s success and evaluate its efficacy.