Co-Branding

Woman speaking at podium with banner in the background that includes Johns Hopkins University logo next to Vox Media logo.

Johns Hopkins University promotes external partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration across divisions, departments, and units as part of our One University commitment. Successful co-branding of these partnerships should always uphold Johns Hopkins’ brand identity and recognize external partners appropriately. 

Internal Co-Sponsorship

There may be instances when multiple divisions or units are involved in an event or initiative as partners or co-sponsors. To avoid redundancy in the design and provide clarity to our audiences, the Johns Hopkins University logo should be used with the unit or division names listed separately in the text. You cannot use more than one division logo, unit lock-up, or interdisciplinary lock-up in the same design space, including on merchandise and apparel, nor can you combine multiple unit names into one unit lock-up. 

Template layout showing highlighted area to include reference to co-sponsor names.
Template layout showing highlighted area to include reference to two sponsor names side by side.
Template layout two Hopkins logos side by side, which is not permitted.

External Co-Branding

Johns Hopkins often partners with external organizations such as businesses, nonprofits, and other institutions. As such, it’s important to use the Johns Hopkins brand correctly to represent the university’s role in these partnerships. In all instances, it’s best practice to use our most recognizable and trusted mark, the primary Johns Hopkins University logo, rather than a division logo or unit lock-up, to represent the institution in partnership with another local or national entity. Only one Johns Hopkins logo may be used at a time. If two divisions or units are equal partners or sponsors of an external event, then the primary Johns Hopkins University logo must be used and individual units may be recognized in text. When serving as the point of contact for co-branded event communications, it is your responsibility to ensure the correct files are shared and brand guidelines are followed.

Mockup of backdrop banner with Johns Hopkins University logo set prominently on the top of the banner with placeholder space for co-sponsor logo at the bottom of the banner.

JHU as the Lead

Prioritize the JHU brand and utilize brand resources. Any promotional materials should be produced by Johns Hopkins University.  

Place supporting partner logos or names in black or white along the bottom of the communication. All logos must be high-resolution and have a transparent background. If the partner logo appears blurry, it may not be used and the partner’s name must be listed in text.  

You must have permission from external partners to use their mark(s).  

Mockup of backdrop banner with Johns Hopkins University logo set next to placeholder box for co-sponsor logo.

JHU as an Equal Partner

Use the JHU logo with adequate clear space and in equal proportion to partner logos. All logos can appear in full color, in accordance with respective brand guidelines. 

If promotional materials are being created by the external partner, you must provide the proper JHU logo files and refer them to brand.jhu.edu for usage guidelines. Do not create a lock-up graphic that combines co-branded logos—instead, official logo files must be used individually, as provided. It is encouraged to separate the JHU logo from a co-brand logo with a dividing element like a line or X. 

Unit, interdisciplinary, and location lock-ups are not permitted to represent the university in these partnerships.  

Mockup of backdrop banner with Johns Hopkins University logo among eight placeholder boxes of equal size to show how sponsor logos should be equally sized and spaced on third party event graphics.

JHU Recognized by a Third Party

Use of the JHU name and marks by third parties is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from authorized representatives of Johns Hopkins. Contact [email protected] for permission and refer to the Use of Name guidelines for more information.

If permitted, you must use the JHU logo in a context that recognizes the formal relationship between the university and third party. For example, “Sponsored by,” “Presented by,” “Clients include,” etc. 


Athletics

For guidelines on external partnerships and sponsorships involving Hopkins Athletics, please contact Cortlandt Carter, Director of Partnership and Sales, at [email protected]