Plunder Scenario 14
Your university has a pouring rights contract with a supplier, who embarks on a national campaign to place different University names on bottles. One day, you find the special bottles for other institutions in a vending machine. Is this acceptable? If not, what do you do?
AP Response:
Universities, much like individuals, have distinct identities, cultures, and sources of pride. We viewed the presence of bottles featuring other institutions’ branding as disrespectful to our students (who invest significantly in their education) and as a direct contradiction to our university’s brand image.
Following this, the bottling company removed the offending bottles. Since then, we have ensured that all contracts drafted include provisions explicitly prohibiting any actions or materials that conflict with or compete against the institution’s brand.