BASF in Third Parties' Media

Our brand – a strong partner 

The reader should understand which part BASF plays in the partner’s communication material and how he benefits from that.

  • All rules for displaying brand alliances apply the same way for two partners as they do for any larger number of alliance partners. 
  • The BASF logo is displayed in white on a colored, rectangular background. Its size must be chosen in a way which ensures that BASF cannot be erroneously confused with the publisher of the communication material. 
  • A short text is placed near the BASF logo, making BASF’s role in relation to the partner brand clear and if possibly expressing BASF’s contribution. Depending on the wording of this text and whether it only relates to BASF or to other alliance partners as well, the text can either be placed inside the colored block with the BASF logo or outside.

Principles for use of the BASF logo in brand alliances

When our corporate brand appears as a partner in a brand alliance, – with external partners or on other cooperation – the best possible representation of the BASF brand must be ensured. On the one hand, the BASF brand’s relation to the partner’s brand(s) must be expressed. On the other hand, the BASF logo must be displayed correctly.

As a rule, BASF’s and possibly other partner’s roles are made clear in a relationship statement placed near the logo. This relationship statement must highlight the benefit of the BASF product/component for the target audience (see the green example below). The statement should be clear and understandable for the people who will read that text. Additional texts related to BASF can also be added as long as they do not weaken the perception of BASFs role and logo.

BASF appears in relation to one or more third party brands, but the BASF brand must not be perceived as part of one or more third party brands.

With any questions regarding the legal aspects of third parties using BASF brands please contact GBI/L.

Example of a brand alliance for the BASF corporate umbrella brand​
Example of a brand alliance with a Companion brand (former field 2,3 brand)

Reference of Relationship Statement

Place a short text next to the partner logo which communicates the relation between the brands and the contribution the partner makes. For example: "Sponsored by", "In cooperation with", "Supported by", "Exclusive distributor of BASF for (product) in region/country" or "Produced based on the innovative technology by BASF", etc.

It is also always an advantage if the relationship statement shows what BASF's value contribution is in this alliance. The value contribution should give a short and precise and if possible sober, i.e. without "advertising language", reference to a product or a product property. An example is "Does the ... contain product XYZ from BASF".

If not the corporate brand, but a single product supports the message of the brand alliance, then this brand appears as text (example Basotect) within the relationship statement. 

The texts must support the perception of the role of BASF and the BASF logo. For this reason, the font size of the relationship statement should be at most as large as the claim. Furthermore, attention must be paid to the minimum free space around the BASF logo and sufficient distance of the text to the edge of the color surface.

Example for a relationship statement

The decision whether the relationship statement is placed inside or outside the color surface depends on the given conditions. Placing the relationship statement in the same color space as the logo illustrates the connection between the two elements.

If, according to the circumstances, it is possible to place the relationship statement only outside the color area, the text can also occupy different positions. The logo and the relationship statement should not appear on printed or patterned backgrounds.

Examples for distributor branding

The color of the background for the logo should be the corporate color, which is in good contrast to the given background on which it is placed.

Example for a preferred placement of the white logo on a dark background
Example for a preferred placement of the black logo on a light background

If, in the given situation, different partners have different roles, they always have to be adapted to the given conditions. However, the minimum free space around the BASF logo must always be observed.

Possible colorfulness of the logo

Whether in sponsoring, cooperation or sales partnerships or when naming a reference – we want to use not only the BASF logo, but also our corporate colors more prominently in all communication.

To ensure optimal implementation of both the logo and the corporate colors, we have structured the best possible forms for the display of the BASF brand by external partners as follows:

White logo with corporate color

External partners should use the BASF logo, preferred in white, on a rectangular field in one of the corporate colors. The rectangular field can be extended vertically or horizontally to integrate the relationship statement. The long side should at least be 20% longer than the short side, so that the rectangle cannot be mistaken for a square.

Important: Using a black-gray logo on a white background is not permissible.

White logo without corporate color
If there is a background color which is predetermined by the partner and which clashes with the corporate colors (see Magenta from Telekom), the BASF logo has to be applied in white on the given background.
Black logo

In special cases and after consultation with the brand consultants, a black version of the logo can be used on light backgrounds. 

 

The background fields, on which the BASF logo is placed, are always monochrome and homogeneous. Structure, patterns or pictures in the background are not permissible.

Size relation of partner logo and BASF logo

Please check size ratios to ensure that the roles are clearly defined also in the visual appearance: 

  • Other equal sponsors appear in the same optical “weighting”.
  • Differences between primary and secondary sponsors and other categories are clear.

Distributor branding

Please find more information here.