TEAM CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct applies to all individuals and business that engage in promotional activities on behalf of Cattleman's Cut or otherwise have a material connection to Cattleman's Cut, including employees, agents, contractors, bloggers, celebrity endorsers, brand creator, brand ambassadors, and all other social media influencers, whether they are engaged by Cattleman's Cut directly or indirectly through an agency (“Influencers” or “You”).  As an Influencer, you must clearly and prominently disclose your relationship with Cattleman's Cut. Your disclosure obligations apply equally to personal blogs, websites, social network pages or posts, and other media.

The following guidelines explain how to comply with Cattleman's Cut and Federal Trade Commission requirements for making truthful endorsements.

1.  DISCLOSE MATERIAL CONNECTIONS WITH Cattleman's Cut  

Who: You have a material connection to Cattleman's Cut if:

  • You are paid or compensated by or on behalf of Cattleman's Cut

  • You are given something for free or a discount

  • You are an employee, agent, or contractor, or are related to an employee, agent, or contractor of Cattleman's Cut

  • You have any other connection that could impact the weight a person gives your opinion, including participation in the “Cattleman's Cut Creator Program” or the “Cattleman's Cut Influencer Program”

Media Channels: The disclosure requirement applies to any materials created, contributed, distributed, commented on, or modified by you on all media, including:

  • Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest)

  • Video platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, Periscope)

  • Third-party forums and review sites (Reddit, Yelp)

  • Personal blogs and Tumblr

  • Third-party affiliate marketing sites

  • Interviews/media appearances (if not clear you are being compensated or have a relationship with Cattleman's Cut)

Types of Communication:  The disclosure requirement applies to any communication that could be interpreted to promote or highlight the benefits of Cattleman's Cut or its products.  The requirements can apply even if you do not actually write about Cattleman's Cut (e.g., merely posting a photo showcasing a Cattleman's Cut product on social media is enough).  Here are common examples where disclosure is required:

  • Communications encouraging someone to buy a product or otherwise engage with Cattleman's Cut

  • Posting on social media in connection with the Cattleman's Cut Creator Program or Cattleman's Cut Influencer Program and/or using the #CattlemanUp or tagging @cattlemanscut

  • Content you share from https://www.cattlemanscut.com/, including products and articles, as well as content you share from any Cattleman's Cut social media channel

  • Sharing third-party content that is arguably favorable to Cattleman's Cut such as media stories that discuss the brand

  • Content you create on your own personal blog or video site that includes information about and promotes Cattleman's Cut

  • Selfies, videos, or other content prominently showcasing a Cattleman's Cut product, retweeting an endorsement, or any other depiction that could be construed as promoting the brand   

2. ENSURE YOUR DISCLOSURE IS CLEAR AND PROMINENT ON EACH POST ON WHICH YOU ENDORSE A PRODUCT  

How to disclose:  Disclosures should be easy to see and understand.   In other words, it should be clear to the audience that you have a connection with the company.  A simple statement about your relationship is often the best option. Another option is to incorporate the disclosure into your post.  On social media you can use shorter disclosures if necessary. See below for examples of good disclosures (disclosures should be tailored to the nature of your relationship):

  • Blogs, Editorial and Product Reviews, Comments in Online Discussions

    • I am a Cattleman's Cut brand influencer or I am a Cattleman's Cut brand creator

    • I received free product from Cattleman's Cut

    • Thanks Cattleman's Cut for the free product

    • I work for Cattleman's Cut

    • I was paid by Cattleman's Cut

    • I am paid by Cattleman's Cut for each click

  • Social Media (e.g., Twitter)

    • #CattlemansCutInfluencer or #CattlemansCutCreator

    • #ad

    • #sponsored

    • #promoted

Location of Disclosure:  Follow these guidelines for placement of the disclosure:

  • Disclosures should be located at the beginning, next to, or on top of any applicable communication.

  • For social media, the disclosure should be in each post (e.g., #ad).

  • For video, the disclosure should appear in the video and must be on the screen for long enough to be noticed, read, and understood.  For long videos, the disclosure should be repeated. Merely including the disclosure in the description of the video is not sufficient.

  • If you cannot include or fit a disclosure in your posting, please do not use that platform.

Size of Disclosure:  The disclosure should be in large enough font for the audience to read and understand it.  The disclosure should also be visible regardless of whether viewing online or on a mobile device.  

3. STATEMENTS MUST REFLECT YOUR HONEST OPINIONS, BELIEFS, OR EXPERIENCES AND MUST NOT BE FALSE, MISLEADING, OR UNSUPPORTED

  • Do not make false or misleading claims about a Cattleman's Cut product or service (e.g., if you thought a product was bad, don’t say it was great)

  • Do not make a claim that cannot be supported (e.g., Cattleman's Cut has a particular health benefit).

  • Don’t hold yourself out as an expert if you are not one

  • If you create and distribute advertising or promotional material for Cattleman's Cut, make sure that is not disguised to look like editorial, news, entertainment, or other non-advertising content

  • Ensure all product demonstrations are truthful, fair, and accurate

  • Discontinue statements if your communication is no longer true or accurate

  • Exercise caution when making conclusory or comparative statements (e.g., better than a competitor)

  • Do not make false or misleading claims about a competitor’s product or service

  • Consider what the reasonable consumer would expect your message to mean, taking into account who you are, how you say it, and assuming the reasonable consumer is not well-educated or well-informed

4.  THINK BEFORE YOU POST

  • Avoid controversial or potentially damaging statements about the Cattleman's Cut brand

  • Follow the relevant website’s posting requirements and terms of use

  • If applicable, state that your view is your opinion and not representative of Cattleman's Cut’s view

  • Do not make, use, or distribute any offensive comments or sexually explicit material

  • Do not disparage, libel, slander, or defame any person, entity, product, or service including a competitive product or service

  • Do not promote any unsafe or illegal activities, including drugs, tobacco, alcohol, guns, or illegal gambling and wagering

  • Do not link to any content or website that violates this Code of Conduct

5. YOUR POSTS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY CATTLEMAN’S CUT

Cattleman's Cut periodically reviews materials created by Influencers.  If you violate this Code of Conduct, we will remind you about your obligations and Cattleman's Cut may terminate your relationship with Cattleman's Cut at its discretion.