Publication
Terms & Conditions

California Leaders, LLC – Terms & Conditions (Long-Form)

A. General Approval & Acceptance

All advertising is subject to approval by California Leaders, LLC (“Publisher”), which reserves the right to refuse any advertising unsuitable for publication, with or without cause.
All ads are accepted upon the representation that the advertiser/agency (“Advertiser”) is authorized to publish the entire contents, including text, images, logos, trademarks, and any third‑party content. Advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from any claims, damages, losses, and attorney’s fees arising from publication of any content provided or authorized by Advertiser.

B. Rates, Rate Card & Governing Documents

All advertising is subject to these Terms & Conditions (“Agreement”) and the current Rate Card and Media Kit, which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing, Advertiser acknowledges receipt of the current Rate Card/Media Kit and agrees to abide by them.
No conditions outside those in this Agreement/Rate Card/Media Kit are binding unless agreed to in a written amendment signed by Publisher’s authorized signatory.

C. Payment, Credit, & Finance Charges

Payment Timing: Unless otherwise approved in writing, advertisements must be paid at time of placement. For approved accounts, invoices are Net 30 from invoice date.
Finance Charges: Past‑due balances may incur a finance charge of 1.5%–2.5% per month (or the maximum allowed by law).
Collections: If an account is placed for collection, Advertiser agrees to pay all costs of collection, including attorney’s fees and costs (which may be calculated as a stated percentage, up to 40% of the unpaid balance).
Credit: Prepayment is required until credit has been established. Publisher may request a credit application and may revoke credit at any time for cause.
Acceleration: When an account becomes delinquent, all contracted sums become immediately due and payable.

D. Frequency Programs: 12x / 24x / 36x (Prepaid & Installments)

Discount Eligibility: Frequency discounts (12x, 24x, 36x insertions/months) are based on advance space contracts completed within 12, 24, or 36 consecutive months.
Prepayment Requirement: Agreements for 12, 24, or 36 months must be prepaid in full unless a written installment agreement is negotiated.
Installments: If approved, installments require auto‑pay (credit card/ACH). Failure to pay accelerates the full balance and may forfeit the discount.
Short‑Rate: If Advertiser does not complete the contracted frequency, billing will be adjusted to the earned rate and due immediately.

E. Cancellations, Changes, & Deadlines

Print: Cancellations must be in writing 30 days prior to Issue Close. Cancellations within 30 days are billed at full rate. Cancellations within 15–7 days incur a 50% fee; within 7 days, 100% fee.
Digital: Cancellations allowed with 30 days’ notice prior to serving first impression. After impressions begin, cancellation is effective 14–30 days after written notice. Advertiser is responsible for impressions served.
Events & Sponsorships: Written cancellations received 90+ days before event incur a 50% fee. Within 90 days, full contracted amount is due.
Publisher’s Cancellation: Publisher may cancel any placement or this Agreement upon Advertiser’s default or material breach. Either party may terminate for uncured material breach after 10 days’ notice.

F. Materials, Production, & Specifications

Deadlines: If new materials are not received by deadline, Publisher may run the most recent ad or bill for the reserved space.
Production Charges: Publisher’s production services are billed at hourly rates (e.g., $100/hr creative, $25/scan, or as updated in the Rate Card).
Color Variances: Exact color match is not guaranteed and not grounds for credit.
Publisher retains ownership of all materials it produces. Use outside Publisher’s media requires written consent.

G. Placement, Position, Inserts & Premiums

Ad placement is at Publisher’s discretion unless a premium position is contracted (e.g., cover, guaranteed position). Premium positions may incur an additional 10%.
Inserts (saddle‑stitched, tip‑ons, bind‑ins) are quoted separately and may require additional commitments.
Ads resembling editorial will be clearly marked as “ADVERTISEMENT.”

H. Delivery, Distribution & Mailing Counts

Mailing Counts: Household and distribution counts are estimates. Amounts invoiced may increase or decrease month‑to‑month based on actual delivery. Credits are issued if distribution falls short by more than 4%.
Publisher is not liable for USPS delays, delivery failures, or force majeure events (fire, flood, strike, etc.).

I. Digital Package & Content Responsibilities

Advertiser is responsible for providing accurate, lawful digital content. Publisher may display a copy of print ads online as part of packages.
Publisher shall not be liable for costs/damages if it fails to publish an ad or cancels placement. Remedies are limited to make‑good or refund, at Publisher’s discretion.

J. Agency & Commissions

Recognized agencies may receive a 15% commission on space/color/position (production charges non‑commissionable).
Agency commission on accounts unpaid after 60 days may be forfeited.
Publisher may hold Advertiser and/or agency jointly and severally liable for all sums due.

K. Terms, Taxes & Surcharges

Advertorials, inserts, and special publications may require non‑refundable deposits.
Applicable taxes will be added to rates.
A 3% surcharge may be applied to credit card payments (not greater than cost of acceptance).

L. Recurring Billing & E‑Signatures

Recurring Billing: If authorized, Advertiser’s credit card/ACH will be billed per contract schedule until cancelled in writing.
Electronic Signatures: E‑signatures are valid and binding under E‑SIGN, UETA, and California law.

M. Intellectual Property, Releases & Content Usage

Advertiser warrants content does not infringe third‑party rights and has obtained necessary releases.
Publisher may use Advertiser’s name, logo, and creative for informational and PR purposes, unless restricted in writing.

N. Assignment & Policy Changes

Advertiser may not assign without consent. Publisher may assign to affiliates or successors.
Publisher may amend policies or rates with 30–90 days’ written notice. Prepaid contracts honor the locked rate for the prepaid term.

O. Jurisdiction, Venue & Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by California law. Venue is exclusively Los Angeles County, California.

P. Entire Agreement & Precedence

This Agreement, together with the Order/Insertion Order, Rate Card, and Media Kit, constitutes the full agreement. In case of conflict: Order > this Agreement > Rate Card/Media Kit.