Client Terms & Conditions

Code of Ethics: Public relations professionals have a special obligation to practice their craft ethically with the highest standards of truth, accuracy, fairness, and responsibility toward the public. Therefore, the Parties agree to adhere to the PRSA's Code of Ethics.

Travel and expenses: Axia bills travel time at half its current hourly rate and business-class travel expenses without a markup. Axia pre-bills estimated travel based on airfare, lodging, ground transportation, IRS mileage rates, and GSA per diem rates for meals and incidentals, then bills actual travel expenses against the estimated invoice. Invoices for out-of-pocket costs are due immediately upon receipt.

To cover costs, accounting, management, sequential liability, and taxes, Axia marks up the wholesale cost of approved out-of-pocket expenses by 50%, including supplies, materials, and service providers (printing, mailing, postage, photography, videos, media, entertainment, influencers, contact lists, and other expenses). Based on volume, Axia charges a paid media buying management fee not to exceed 25% of the total media buy. The minimum fee for paid media buying and management is $2.5K per month.

Sequential liability: Under the principle of sequential liability, Axia is liable for payments to suppliers and other vendors only to the extent that the Client delivers payment for such purchases. The Client agrees it will be held solely responsible for amounts owed and not paid to Axia. Axia shall have the right to require reasonable assurance of the availability of the Client's funds before undertaking commitments on the Client's behalf.

Investment and payments: The Client agrees to pay Axia the Investment and any invoices to complete the Scope, Project, or Program, payable upon signing by check, online, or ACH (preferred). The Client may pay Axia at axiapr.com/pay. A 4% processing fee applies for credit card payments. Axia offers monthly incremental payments – and any quarterly and annual prepayment discounts, when available – as a convenience only. When a third party makes a payment for the Client, said party agrees it's also liable for any payments owed under the Agreement. Unless the Client notifies Axia in writing of any good faith disapproval, the Client agrees that all Axia invoices are deemed approved 10 days after the Client receives them.

Axia shall pause all work when payment is five days late until it receives cleared payment. This does not relieve the Client of its continuing obligations to Axia. In the unlikely event that the payment is overdue by 30 days, the Client is responsible for a $50 daily late fee and 18% interest per annum, or the largest amount allowed by law, plus any costs of internal or external collections, out-of-pocket costs, including attorneys, court, mediation, garnishment, and bankruptcy. Additionally, Axia reserves the right to pursue, including its time incurred in disputing or defending such collections, disputes, or cancellations at Axia’s current hourly rate of $175. In the event of late payment, at its sole discretion and because time is often of the essence in collections, Axia may bypass mediation obligations and immediately file suit for collections.

Axia shall begin providing Services in connection with this agreement after receiving the signed agreement and corresponding payment. Annually, Axia increases the investment by up to 5% or the national Consumer Price Index average, whichever is higher. As the Client expands its products and services catalog and/or expands into new geographic markets and additional industries, Axia may increase the corresponding investment based on an increased scope of work.

Cancellation: Unless previously agreed upon in writing, either party may initiate Agreement pause, scope reduction, or cancellation by delivering their 90 days' written notice. During the cancellation notification period, the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the Client and Axia as client and agency shall continue in full force and effect, including and not limited to Axia continuing to be ready and able to render services on the Client's behalf in exchange for payment of all fees, hourly charges, expenses, and other sums as provided in this Agreement.

No guarantees: Axia will make every reasonable effort to provide a complete and accurate service. However, Axia offers no guarantee. This agreement is complete and has no additional verbal representations. Parties agree many factors are outside Axia's control, including the Client, timely approvals, third-party deadlines, consumer, and market products, services, prices, quality, demand, competition and behavior, preferences and reviews, technology changes, preemptive and breaking news, media bias, the economy, and major events. Therefore, Axia offers no guarantees, warranties, chargebacks, or refunds beyond the quality and scope of its work.

Media outlets: Axia does not own or exercise control over media outlets or other third parties, whether in television, radio, print, web, or any other medium. Therefore, Axia can not guarantee any media outlet's performance, conduct, timeliness, content, or editorial decision. Media outlets may require professional news photos or video footage. If the Client doesn't have or share such materials, with the Client's approval, Axia will source such approved materials/services at the Client's expense. Axia recommends an additional paid media investment to boost/sponsor content to improve organic reach and engagement.

Mutual respect: This agreement requires each party's mutual respect for confidential and proprietary information, including not soliciting or hiring each other's employees, vendors, or independent contractors for up to two years after the business relationship ends. If one of Axia's clients conflicts with this business relationship, Axia has the right to resign immediately and return any unearned fees. Neither party shall disclose any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement without the other's prior written consent. Notwithstanding, in its marketing materials, Axia may refer to the Client as its client.

Confidentiality: Unless a conflicting mutual confidentiality agreement exists between the parties, parties agree to keep confidentiality and not to disclose or use for their benefit or the benefit of any third party (except as may be required for the performance of services under this agreement or as may be required by law) any information, documents, or materials which are identified by a party, at the time they are made available, to be proprietary or confidential. Further, the Client acknowledges Axia may protect the rates and other terms negotiated by Axia with vendors performing hereunder as trade secrets and may not be generally known by the public or Axia’s competitors. Accordingly, such information shall be treated as confidential information hereunder. The confidentiality obligations in the preceding sentence, however, shall not extend to any information, documents, or materials that (a) become publicly available without breach of this provision, (b) are received from a third party without restriction, or (c) is independently developed without reference to information received hereunder from the other party.

Confidential materials provided to Axia shall be either returned to the Client or discarded as the Client directs in writing at the end of the business relationship. In the absence of instructions, such confidential materials may be maintained by Axia following its policies and procedures to comply with the law, regulation, or archival purposes, provided that any confidential materials so retained shall continue to be deemed confidential information under the terms of this Agreement. Axia shall continue to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. If the Client prefers that Axia adopt a different practice regarding retaining confidential materials or any other materials provided to Axia in connection with this Agreement, please notify Axia in writing.

Agreement disclosure: Axia is authorized to publicize this agreement to work with the Client in the form of news releases and media announcements, event development, and news coverage, and Axia reserves the right to include the Client's name in its client roster. Axia may offer the Client the opportunity to participate in announcements related to any work with the Client. Axia may include the Client's logo, company name, and description on any of its brochures, websites, and other promotional material. It may link directly to the Client's website and any earned media coverage. The Client may also be requested to participate in activities such as success stories, references, and public relations initiatives. The Client agrees not to deny any such requests unreasonably. Upon cancellation of this Agreement, Axia retains the right to publicize its past involvement with the Client, including using the Client's name and logo and a description of its services rendered on its websites and in its marketing materials. If Axia agrees, the Client may list Axia as a communications contact on its website and in all news releases.

During this Agreement, the Client will also give Axia access to its website analytics program to enable Axia to maintain and measure the effectiveness of any Services hereunder. If the Client does not have an analytics program, Axia recommends obtaining one.

Venue: Unless previously agreed upon in writing, Florida law governs this agreement, and the dispute venue is Nassau County.

Dispute resolution: In the unlikely event that a dispute arises, the claiming party will notify the other party stating in specific detail what act, conduct, or omission constitutes the alleged dispute. The responding party will have 30 days from receiving the notice to cure the alleged breach or default. During those 30 days, the Parties will cooperate and engage in substantive, good­-faith negotiations to resolve their differences.

• In case of Client payment default, Axia may immediately proceed with collections and/or legal action without an obligation for mediation.
• In the case of a service-related issue, if the differences between the Parties are not resolved within 30 days, the Parties shall agree to a pre-­litigation mediation schedule within 30 days, with the cost of mediation to be shared equally. Mediation should occur within 90 days after the Responding Party receives the default notice. If mediation fails, the Claiming Party may take legal action, including filing a non-jury civil action. Both Parties hereby knowingly, freely, and voluntarily waive trial by jury in any action or proceeding to which they may be a party, arising out of or in any way related to the Agreement.

Liabilities and damages: In no event shall Axia or its affiliates be liable for any damages beyond the amount the Client paid Axia in the previous 12 months under the Agreement.

Liquidated damages: The Client recognizes that Axia's investment in the Client's projects or programs carries a cost potentially higher than the amount due under the Agreement, that the Agreement may have long-term services, and that damages resulting from a breach of the Agreement by the Client are difficult to determine. The Client agrees that Axia's damages in case the Client breaches the Agreement are equal to a sum equal to: one year's payments when the breach occurs 60 days or more before the date for any renewal; or one-fourth of one year’s payments when the breach occurs less than 60 days from the date for any renewal.

Attorneys’ fees: a. In case litigation is necessary, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in litigation and on appeal. b. Axia will bill the costs of outside legal services for any requests for regulatory or legal compliance to approve copies, address regulatory issues, arrange talent, and other matters dealing with the provision of legal services.

Client guarantees and liabilities: The payments due under these Terms and Conditions and the Agreement are due by the Client, any Guarantors who have signed the Agreement, and any entity (including corporations and limited liability companies) which is making payments directly to Axia and in which Client or Guarantor has an interest as a shareholder, member, officer, or director. Any payment by such entity made for defrauding Axia or other improper purposes creates a liability for all amounts due under the Agreement.

Indemnify and hold harmless: The Client agrees to indemnify and hold Axia and its affiliates harmless from any claim, demand, or cause of action by whoever brought, whether or not it is brought in front of a state or federal court of law or equity or an administrative tribunal of any federal, state, or local body, that arises out of or is in any way related to the Agreement. Furthermore, the Client assumes the risk and indemnifies Axia where a risk has been brought to the Client's attention, and the Client instructs Axia to proceed, or when the Client tells Axia to take specific actions, or where the Client provides Axia with materials that cause harm/the claim.

Because of the Client's intimate familiarity with its company and industry and the fact that Axia serves as the Client's agent, Axia cannot undertake to verify every fact supplied by the Client. The Client is responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and propriety of the information that it provides to Axia concerning the Client's products, services, organization, and industry. Therefore, the Client represents and warrants that the Client rightfully owns all information and materials that it provides to Axia and does not violate any third party's intellectual property or other rights of any third party. The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Axia and its employees, freelancers, contractors, licensees, and agents from and against all liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and costs, which Axia may incur as the result of any third-party claim, suit, or proceeding brought or threatened arising out of or in connection with any of the following:

a. Any publicity or other Materials (as defined in Section IX below) prepared or placed by Axia for the Client or assertions Axia made on the Client's behalf, or other services performed by Axia for the Client, which were approved by the Client or which were based on materials and/or information supplied or approved by the Client;

b. Any alleged or actual defects in the Client's products or services (including, without limitation, any personal injury or product liability claim for bodily injury or death arising from the use of the Client's products or services);
c. Allegations that the Client's activities, or the information or materials provided to Axia by the Client in connection with this Agreement, violate or infringe upon the copyright, trademark, patent, or other rights of any third party, or that the Client's activities induce, promote, or encourage the violation of or infringement upon the rights of any third party;
d. Any information, publicity, or other materials provided by Axia to the Client and used as intended by the Client;
e. Risks or restrictions which Axia has brought to the Client's attention where the Client has elected to proceed, violate, or exceed such restrictions;
f. The Client's breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants, or other obligations under this Agreement;
g. The Client's gross negligence or willful misconduct; and
h. The Client's failure to make or comply with usage limitations under applicable union codes (including, without limitation, SAG-AFTRA), or contracts relating to the production or use of commercials when such limitations have been communicated to the Client by Axia in writing.

Axia will notify the Client in writing of such an indemnifiable claim as soon as practicable after receiving actual notice of such claim. Axia shall provide reasonable cooperation in the defense or settlement of such claim. The Client agrees to obtain Axia's written consent before entering into any compromise, settlement, or other claim disposition.

Likewise, Axia represents and warrants that, to its reasonable knowledge, the Materials prepared by Axia for the Client will be original and will not violate any copyright rights of third parties. Axia agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the Client harmless against all liabilities, losses, damages, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, which the Client may incur as the result of any claim, suit, or proceeding brought or threatened against the Client based upon or arising out of the Client's use, without alteration, of any Materials furnished by Axia to the Client, in connection with allegations of libel, slander, defamation, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy and/or plagiarism, except to the extent that such claims arise from information or materials supplied by or through the Client.

In the event Axia is called upon to respond to or assist the Client in connection with litigation commenced or threatened against the Client by third parties (for example, in complying with a document subpoena or discovery demand), and whether or not Axia and the Client are working together at the time, Axia will be entitled to staff time charges and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, for services rendered to the Client and time spent by Axia in connection with such matters.

Scope of indemnification: The above indemnification encompasses and includes, without limitation, payment of any penalty, fine, judgment award, or decree; payment of any court cost or attorneys’ fees to a prevailing party; and the payment of Axia's costs and attorneys’ fees in defending any claim, demand, or cause of action as described above.

Limitation of liability: Once Axia issues Materials to the press or another third party, its use is no longer under Axia's control. Axia cannot assure the use of Materials by any media nor that any information published will accurately convey the information provided by Axia. Axia does not stipulate or guarantee specific or overall results or returns from public relations, publicity, research, or any other activity Axia performs, nor shall Axia be responsible for any user-generated content. Finally, in the unlikely event that Axia or its employees, freelancers, contractors, licensees, or agents publish Material on the Client's behalf that inadvertently generates a negative response from the Client or the consuming public, Axia shall not be held liable for any resulting harm, provided Axia deletes, retracts, revises, or corrects such publication promptly upon notification by the Client if such Material was (a) approved by the Client in advance, and/or (b) in compliance with standard public relations and social media guidelines.

IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS OR BUSINESS OR LOSS OF DATA, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGES.

The total aggregate liability of either party for any claim of any kind arising as a result of or related to this agreement, whether based in contract, warranty, or any other legal or equitable grounds, shall be limited to the amounts received by Axia from the Client for the particular project(s) which form(s) the basis of such a claim. The Client must claim damages within one (1) year of the incident to which they relate or be forever barred. Notwithstanding any indemnity set out herein, the Client shall act reasonably to mitigate any potential losses.

Copyright: Axia may provide the Client with news coverage clips. This coverage is subject to copyrights. Axia cannot and does not guarantee the Client has the right to use it. The Client is responsible for securing consent from the rightful owner(s) to obtain the necessary rights before engaging in such use.

Ownership of materials: Axia acknowledges and agrees that, upon full payment of all sums due to Axia under this Agreement, all original copy, layouts, scripts, artwork, designs, and publicity materials, including digital content, social media property, brochures, manuals, signage, and other materials (collectively, “Materials”) prepared, purchased, or furnished by Axia for the Client in the performance of this Agreement shall be deemed “work made for hire” and shall, between the Client and Axia, be the Client's exclusive property, subject to any third-party rights, restrictions, or obligations (such as talent rights or intellectual property rights to photography, artwork, music, and any open-source software or code) of which Axia notifies the Client in writing. Likewise, the Client acknowledges that Axia retains ownership of all works of authorship created by or for Axia before or separate from the performance of services under this Agreement, including and not limited to pre-existing creative content, materials, software applications, databases, and executable code as well as Axia's proprietary information/services, media lists, and third-party relationships. The Client agrees that Axia shall have the right, without prior approval, to use any Materials containing published, non-confidential materials, property, or information following their publication to promote Axia and to market its services to third parties, including submitting such Materials to industry award shows and posting them on Axia's website.

General terms: Axia will be acting as the Client's agent when purchasing services, materials, and media on the Client's behalf, and the Client agrees that all orders placed and contracts entered into by Axia on the Client's behalf with Axia's suppliers and other persons may state the same. Except as provided in the previous sentence, nothing in this Agreement shall create any partnership or joint venture between the parties. Axia shall not be deemed the Client's employee, agent, joint venture, or partner. The Client acknowledges that Axia may occasionally use affiliated companies, consultants, independent subcontractors/freelancers, and artificial intelligence to perform Services. This statement shall serve as such client notice.

Singular and plural: Where the context indicates or requires, each term stated in the singular includes the plural, and each term stated in the plural includes the singular.

No waiver: The failure of either party to insist on the performance of any of the terms and conditions of the Agreement or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions shall not be construed as waiving any other term or condition at any time.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found invalid or unenforceable under judicial decree or decision, the remainder shall remain valid and enforceable according to its terms. Without limiting the previous, it is expressly understood and agreed that every provision of these Terms and Conditions that provides for a limitation of liability, disclaimer of warranties, or exclusion of damages is intended by the Parties to be severable and independent of any other provision and to be enforced as such. Further, it is expressly understood and agreed that if any remedy under these Terms and Conditions is determined to have failed of its essential purpose, all other limitations of liability and exclusion of damages outlined in these Terms and Conditions shall remain in full force and effect.

Captions: The captions of the sections and paragraphs are for convenience only and are not a part of the Agreement, and do not in any way limit or amplify the terms and provisions of the Agreement.

Interpretation: The Parties acknowledge they have read the Agreement, understand its terms, and agree to be bound by it. Each has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, in that case, the Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either Party by the authorship of any of the provisions of the Agreement.

Amendment: The Agreement shall not be amended in any way except by a written agreement signed by both Parties.

Counterparts: The Agreement may be executed in counterpart originals, constituting the same agreement.

Integration: The Parties represent and warrant they are not relying on any promises or representations not appearing in this Agreement.

Assignment: This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other, and any such purported assignment shall be void.

The Client represents and warrants that it has read and understands all of the Terms and Conditions that govern this agreement and binds itself by such Terms and Conditions. Acceptance of services and/or initial payment per the Terms and Conditions represent acceptance of this agreement.