Princeton Review’s annual donation to Dance Marathon will be “substantially reduced” this year because the company cannot receive publicity for its contribution, a company spokesman said Wednesday.
Jake Edie, director of outreach programs for Princeton Review, said DM representatives told him last week that an unfinalized contract between Kaplan Testing Services, a Princeton Review competitor, and Northwestern would prevent his company from receiving any recognition for its donation.
Edie said DM representatives told him that NU had a “fear of being sued” by Kaplan if the Princeton Review name or logo was acknowledged on any DM literature, clothing or press releases.
“All the (publicity) benefits you get for donating to Northwestern they could not follow through on,” Edie said.
He said Princeton Review has given DM about $8,000 worth of goods and services each year for the past several years.
“The Princeton Review has been a generous sponsor to Dance Marathon in the past, but due to the new Kaplan contract with the university, we are not able to promote them as a sponsor this year,” said Tony Earley, corporate relations co-chair for DM.
Earley declined further comment.
The contract, arranged between Norris University Center, the Office of Alumni Relations and Kaplan, includes exclusive rights for advertising and providing test services for the NU community.
Cathy Stembridge, director of alumni relations, said the contract will be finalized in “the near future.”
Alex O’Kulich, regional director for Kaplan Test Preparation Services, declined to comment on specific provisions of the contract but stressed Kaplan’s dedication to DM.
“We are thrilled to be working with Northwestern, and we are thrilled to be a part of DM,” he said.
Edie said Princeton Review and Kaplan submitted contract proposals to Norris and the Alumni Relations Office during Fall Quarter. NU awarded the contract to Kaplan.
Norris Director Bill Johnston said the Kaplan contract will help NU provide support for career services and scholarships for minorities.
“The students will be extremely well-served by this agreement,” Johnston said.
Edie said he was disappointed that Princeton Review wouldn’t receive publicity for DM donations this year because of the contract.
“As a 1996 graduate, it’s always been important to me to support Dance Marathon, and I was upset that Northwestern was signing contracts that would prevent people from donating to Dance Marathon,” Edie said.
Edie also said his company’s proposal did not prohibit competitors from receiving publicity for philanthropic donations to student organizations.
“None of the stipulations in the contract we submitted would bar Kaplan from submitting charitable contributions (to NU organizations),” Edie said.
He said the company is now discussing adjustments to its DM donation that will be necessary because of the publicity ban.
“We certainly won’t be able to donate at the same level as we have in the past,” Edie said.