Digital Marketing Compliance Binder Project
Overview
Students develop a comprehensive binder of compliance materials related to digital marketing laws and ethical standards to use in the professional setting.
Why Use This?
By developing a professional-level compliance resource, students gain practical knowledge of digital marketing regulations and ethical standards they can apply directly in their careers.
How Does It Work?
Students complete the binder project in two parts. First, they select a real company with an online presence and receive instructor approval. Then, over the semester, they compile industry-specific materials—such as labeling requirements and industry-required disclaimers—in individual assignments aligned with each section of the binder. At the end of the term, students combine their work into a final binder that includes a cover page, table of contents, and executive summary.
Here are screenshots of the assignment instructions from the course:
Part 1
Purpose
In this semester-long project, you will develop a comprehensive Digital Marketing Compliance Binder for a client company. This binder will serve as a resource for navigating the complex legal landscape of digital marketing. Throughout the semester, you will systematically compile relevant laws, regulations, and compliance standards, and draft essential documents and policies for your client company. This project aims to equip you with the skills to ensure your organization adheres to the current legal and ethical standards of its industry, fostering consumer trust and protecting brand reputation in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
As you begin work on the semester project, you first need to identify a company that you wish to use as a basis for your research. This company can be your current employer, your own company, a company you wish to start, or a company you aspire to work for. The more closely connected you are to the company, the easier it will be to find relevant information about the company and the industry in which it competes.
You will also need to establish the background of the regulatory environment in which your company competes. This part of the assignment will help you identify specific industry laws and regulations that may be relevant to your firm, as well as pertinent state or local laws and regulations. This task involves ensuring that marketing activities comply with industry-specific regulations. Different industries may have specific requirements or restrictions in their marketing practices. The desired result is to have marketing materials and practices that meet industry-specific regulations. To complete this task, familiarize yourself with the regulations and guidelines specific to your industry.
In addition to the assigned readings for this module, review the following resources for completing this assignment:
Project Assignment Template ⬇ (use as a guide for formatting)
Library of Congress Research Guides: Marketing Industry: A Resource Guide ⤴
Small Business Administration: Stay Legally Compliant ⤴
Find Your State’s Laws ⤴
US Privacy Laws ⤴
US State Privacy Legislation Tracker ⤴
FTC Advertising and Marketing ⤴
Advertising Regulation ⤴
Instructions
Part 1
Choose a company that operates in a specific industry and has an online presence.
Obtain approval from your instructor for the selected company before proceeding.
Part 2
Address the three “Questions for Discussion” at the end of Chapter 2: Law and the US Legal System in Digital Media Law (Reed, 2023).
Be sure you address the prompt fully using evidence to support your claims.
Identify any industry-specific regulations that may be especially pertinent for your client company (e.g., educational institutions and FERPA, financial institutions and GLBA, medical and healthcare providers and HIPAA).
I. List the industry-specific regulations applicable to your organization or industry.
II. Who within the client company is responsible for ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations in marketing activities?
III. Which industry-specific regulations have been considered for marketing materials and practices?
i. Compliance with labeling requirements
ii. Adherence to specific advertising restrictions
iii. Inclusion of industry-required disclaimers
iv. Use of industry-approved marketing channels
v. Following specific ethical guidelines
Final Assignment
Purpose
For the final assignment, you will compile and resubmit your complete Digital Marketing Compliance Binder, integrating all completed assignments from the semester. This binder must include a cover page, a table of contents, and an executive summary. You are required to incorporate feedback received on earlier submissions to enhance the quality of the document. The goal is to produce a highly polished, professional business document that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of digital marketing laws, regulations, and compliance standards. This assignment aims to refine your skills in creating well-organized, legally sound compliance documentation.
Instructions
Compile the completed binder using the outline provided below. (NOTE: Parts C and F are combined under Part D.)
Resubmitted work should include any recommended revisions.
You must include a cover page, a table of contents, and an executive summary at the beginning of your binder.
Digital Marketing Compliance Binder Outline
Cover Page
Include the following on your cover page:
Digital Marketing Compliance Binder
DMK 730 Course Project
Prepared for [Company Name]
[Your Name]
[Term/Semester, Year]
Table of Contents
Company and Industry (Parts A and B)
I. Executive Summary
II. Industry Regulatory Environment (specific to project company) (Part A)
III. Company Background (Part B)
IV. Digital Marketing Audit (Part B)
Privacy (Parts C and F)
I. CCPA Compliance Requirements (Part C)
II. GDPR Compliance Requirements (Part C)
III. Other Relevant Privacy Laws (Part F)
IV. Privacy Policy (Part F)
Consumer Protection Laws (Part D)
I. Relevant Consumer Protection Laws
II. Consumer Protection Compliance Checklist
Contracts & Forms (Part E)
I. Non-Disclosure Agreement Draft
II. Confidentiality Agreement Draft
III. Non-Compete Agreement Draft
IV. Influencer Agreement Draft
V. Model Release Form
VI. Photo Release Form
Data Security (Part G)
I. Relevant Data Collection Laws & Regulations
II. Data Collection Policy & Procedures
Promotional Laws & Regulations (Parts H–K)
I. Corporate Assets (Part H)
i. Company-Owned Copyrights
ii. Company-Owned Trademarks
iii. Company Brand Standards
II. Advertising (Part I)
i. Relevant Advertising Regulations
ii. Advertising Policy
iii. Advertising Audit Checklist
III. Social Media (Part J)
i. Relevant Social Media Laws & Ethics
ii. Social Media Posting Policy Procedures
iii. Social Media Audit Checklist
IV. Email Marketing (Part K)
i. Relevant Email Marketing Laws & Regulations
ii. Email Marketing Policy & Procedures
iii. Email Audit Checklist
Keep In Mind
- Breaking this project into smaller assignments, where students are asked to submit individual sections of the full binder, helps students manage complex material and stay on track to complete the project at the end of the term.
- Each section of the binder should align with the reading material and other learning resources so students can apply what they’ve learned in the context of the larger project.
- Staggered submissions give students time to revise and strengthen each section of the binder based on feedback from their instructor and classmates.