As a TEDx licensee, you are vested with furthering TED's mission of bringing great ideas to the world, for free. To avoid confusion with the TED brand, it is critically important that, at all stages of preparation and presentation, you make clear that your event is independently organized. Follow these rules on your website, in promotional materials, in press releases, in emails, and in any press interviews.
- Logos: Use your event's unique TEDx logo. Never use the TED logo, and don't allow journalists to use it (in print or on video). Supply journalists with your customized TEDx logo.
- It's a TEDx event -- not TED: Don't say "TED is coming to [city name]." Don't say your event is "organized by TED," "sponsored by TED" or an "official TED event." TED staff should be the sole official spokespeople for TED and the program as a whole; any journalist seeking comment from TED should be routed through Melody Serafino and TED.
- Press page for journalists: Ask local journalists to visit your website's media section (see below). Provide them with the URL to the TEDx program (http://www.ted.com/tedx) for detailed information on the nature of the TEDx program.
- Press releases: All press and press releases must be routed through approved by the TEDx program's media liaison, Melody Serafino. Press releases must contain the "About TED" and "About TEDx" text:
- Interviews: If you are interviewed for broadcast TV or radio, clearly state, at the very start of the segment, that your event is a TEDx event, and explain what that means (it is independently organized, etc.). Represent yourself as a participating organizer in your specific TEDx program.
- Interview requests for TED staff: Route requests for interviews with TED staff to Melody Serafino, TEDx Media Liaison.
- Creating a media section on your website: If you're planning on having media cover your event, create a media section on your website. Direct all your media requests to a single, consistent resource.
- What your media section should say:
All press requests should be sent to [name]. [Name] is the the official spokesperson for TEDx[place name]. Please note that TEDx event organizers are not able to speak for the TED Conference. Any inquiry regarding TED should be sent to:
Melody Serafino
TEDx Media Liaison
TEDxPR@groupsjr.com
While we appreciate any coverage, we kindly ask that all journalists and/or bloggers be respectful of the difference between the TED and TEDx brands.
The 'x' in 'TEDx' stands for "independently organized events." Any headline or text which implies "TED" is coming to [location] is misleading.
For more information on TEDx, visit http://www.ted.com/tedx.
- What your media section should say:
- Having media attend your TEDx event: At TED, we keep the number of journalists to a minimum. We ask you to do the same. Only invite media you know personally.
- Members of the press are not allowed to take pictures of or film/videotape your TEDx event. Instead, find one in-house photographer and share selections with the media.
Issuing a press release
What to put in your press release
- Your event's name -- e.g. TEDxAustin, TEDxDubai
- Location -- be specific
- Date and time
- Whether your event is public or private. (If public, how can people participate?)
- List of speakers
- Theme
- Website and/or social media pages, e.g. Twitter account
- Live webcast URL
- Your contact information
- The following paragraph:
In the spirit of "ideas worth spreading," TED has created TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDx[place name], where x = independently organized TED event. At TEDx[place name], TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
- The following copy:
* Due to the large number of events, TED does not provide quotes for individual press releases.
Guidelines:
All press releases should be submitted, in advance, to Melody Serafino, who handles the TEDx program's media relations, for final review and approval.
In the email, include:
- The date on which the release will be sent
- The method by which the release will be sent (e.g., via a formal service, such as PR Newswire, or to your own media list)
Releases should be sent at least two weeks before your event -- earlier if possible. Allow 48 hours for release turnaround and approval.