Recording Academy bans Billboard chart numbers and sales figures in Grammy ads

The Recording Academy recently released their ‘rules and guidelines’ for the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards, making a big change in For Your Consideration ads.

The new 64-page document was released by Academy earlier in July, with Billboard reporting that the FYC ads may no longer reveal Billboard chart numbers or sales figures in the ads.  

This specific rule was not in last year’s rule book, which could complicate matters for campaigning this year.

Grammy changes: The Recording Academy recently released their ‘rules and guidelines’ for the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards, making a big change in For Your Consideration ads

The new entry is featured as part of a bullet-point list of things that, ‘FYC communications cannot’ do, which reads, ‘Include chart numbers, number of streams, sales figures, or RIAA awards.

Other things FYC Grammy ads cannot do include, ‘Cast a negative or derogatory light on a competing recording,’ or, ‘Any tactic that singles out the “competition” by name or title is not allowed.’

These ads, which include, ’emails, mailings, invitations, social media, websites, and print ads,’  also cannot, ‘Exaggerate or overstate the merits of the music, an achievement or an individual,’ or ‘Feature nominees on invite as host, moderator or special guest.’

Rules: The new entry is featured as part of a bullet-point list of things that, 'FYC communications cannot' do, which reads, 'Include chart numbers, number of streams, sales figures, or RIAA awards

Rules: The new entry is featured as part of a bullet-point list of things that, ‘FYC communications cannot’ do, which reads, ‘Include chart numbers, number of streams, sales figures, or RIAA awards

Ads are also forbidden from using any Recording Academy trademarks, logos or protected information. 

Among the final entries under the can’t-do list are, ‘Include personal signatures, personal regards or personal pleas to listen to the eligible recordings.’ 

They also can’t, ‘Misrepresent honors or awards, past or present, received by either the recording or those involved with production, and finally they can’t, ‘Reference the year or the telecast number (i.e., 2021 or 64th GRAMMY Awards).’

Forbidden: Ads are also forbidden from using any Recording Academy trademarks, logos or protected information

Forbidden: Ads are also forbidden from using any Recording Academy trademarks, logos or protected information

It was also stated that Recording Academy members and their publicists are only allowed to promote their own work adding, ‘there shall be no lobbying on behalf of other members.’

FYC ads are allowed to feature, ‘Artwork related to product under consideration,’ along with, ‘Brief, unembellished descriptions of the recording or creators.

The ads can also include, ‘Copies or links to product’ and, ‘Links to websites that promote eligible recordings,’ plus the link to the Recording Academy website, ‘where voting and solicitation guidelines are posted.’

Members: It was also stated that Recording Academy members and their publicists are only allowed to promote their own work adding, 'there shall be no lobbying on behalf of other members;

Members: It was also stated that Recording Academy members and their publicists are only allowed to promote their own work adding, ‘there shall be no lobbying on behalf of other members;

There can also be, ‘Lists of the creators who worked on the recording, ‘Reference to nominations, once nominations are announced,’ though they must, ‘List category(s) by full name.’

The Grammy Award itself can be referenced, ‘with proper registered marks,’ though use of the logo is prohibited.  

The 64th Grammys are slated to air on January 31, 2022, though the nominations date has not yet been revealed. 

Awards: The 64th Grammys are slated to air on January 31, 2022, though the nominations date has not yet been revealed

Awards: The 64th Grammys are slated to air on January 31, 2022, though the nominations date has not yet been revealed