Dieline Media, LLC
Effective Date: May 19, 2026 · Last Updated: May 19, 2026
Dieline Media, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Dieline Media,” “DIELINE,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information when you interact with our Services.
Scope
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information we collect through:
• The DIELINE website at thedieline.com and all subdomains
• The DIELINE Awards website at dielineawards.com
• Our newsletter publications delivered at newsletter.thedieline.com via Substack (including Side Salad, Shelf Life, and feature publications)
• The DIELINE PRO paid subscription product
• Our DIELINE Awards competition entry platform and Awards Programs
• Our podcasts and related content (including Shelf Life by DIELINE and the DIELINE Podcast)
• Our marketing communications, customer support, events, and partner programs
• Our social media accounts and other DIELINE-branded properties
(Collectively, the “Services.”) This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information collected by third-party websites or services that we link to but do not operate.
Key Service Providers
Our newsletters are delivered through Substack Inc. (“Substack”), and payments for DIELINE PRO subscriptions are processed by Stripe, Inc. (“Stripe”). These service providers process certain personal information on our behalf under written data processing agreements. Their own privacy policies are available at substack.com/privacy and stripe.com/privacy. Where we direct you to those services, their privacy practices apply in addition to ours.
Your Consent
By using the Services, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy. Where required by law, we will seek your specific consent to certain processing activities (such as marketing communications or non-essential cookies). You may withdraw consent at any time as described in this Policy.
1. Information We Collect
A. Information You Provide Directly
Contact and Account Information.
When you create an account, subscribe to a newsletter, or interact with us, we collect: name, email address, postal address (where provided), telephone number (where provided), country of residence, username, password, profile photo, professional title, company or studio affiliation, portfolio links, and biographical information.
Subscription and Payment Information.
When you purchase a DIELINE PRO subscription, we collect billing information including billing address and payment method details. Full payment card details are collected and stored by Stripe, not by us; we receive only limited information such as last four digits, card brand, expiration date, and transaction status.
Newsletter Subscription Information.
When you subscribe to our newsletters, we collect your email address and your subscription preferences (which newsletters you’ve opted into). Newsletter delivery and engagement data is processed through Substack.
DIELINE Awards Entry Information.
When you enter the DIELINE Awards, we collect entrant contact information, agency or brand affiliations, project details, submitted creative work (images, videos, descriptions, credits), category selections, entry fees and payment data, designer and team credit information, and supporting materials.
User Submissions.
When you submit projects for editorial consideration, create directory listings, post comments, or submit other content, we collect that content and associated metadata.
Communications.
When you contact us, we collect the content of your communications, your contact information, and any other information you choose to provide.
Survey and Research Information.
If you participate in surveys (such as the DIELINE Reader Survey), we collect the responses you provide and any demographic information you voluntarily share.
B. Information Collected Automatically
Device and Connection Information.
When you access the Services, we automatically collect: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type and identifiers, screen resolution, language preferences, time zone, and referring URLs.
Usage Information.
We collect information about your interactions with the Services, including: pages and articles viewed, time spent, click patterns, search queries, scroll depth, navigation paths, and engagement with content.
Newsletter Engagement.
Substack and our analytics providers collect data on newsletter opens, clicks, forwards, and unsubscribes.
Cookies and Similar Technologies.
We use cookies, pixel tags, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information automatically. See Section 6 (Cookies and Tracking Technologies) for details.
C. Information from Third Parties
We may receive personal information from third parties, including:
• Social media platforms (when you interact with DIELINE through Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media, or when you authorize us to access information from your social media account)
• Analytics and marketing partners
• Payment processors (regarding successful or failed transactions)
• Substack (regarding newsletter subscriptions and engagement)
• Awards partners and sponsors (only where consistent with applicable consent)
• Publicly available sources
• Service providers that help us verify information or detect fraud
D. Sensitive Personal Information
We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information (such as government IDs, financial account numbers, precise geolocation, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, health information, or sexual orientation) except where you voluntarily provide such information. We do not use or disclose any sensitive personal information for purposes other than those expressly permitted by California law without offering you the right to limit such use.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
A. To Provide and Operate the Services
• Delivering newsletters, podcasts, content, and other Services you’ve requested
• Processing payments, managing subscriptions, and providing customer support
• Operating the DIELINE Awards, including judging, winner selection, announcements, trophy fulfillment, and post-event communications
• Authenticating users and maintaining account security
• Providing access to the case study archive, designer directory, job board, and PRO features
B. To Communicate with You
• Sending transactional communications (subscription confirmations, payment receipts, account notifications, awards entry confirmations)
• Responding to your inquiries and customer support requests
• Sending newsletters and editorial content you’ve subscribed to
• Sending DIELINE Awards-related communications (entry deadline reminders, judging updates, winner notifications) with your consent
• Notifying you of material changes to our Services, Terms of Use, or Privacy Policy
C. To Improve the Services
• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance content, features, and user experience
• Conducting research, surveys, and reader insights
• Developing new editorial features, awards categories, and Service offerings
• Measuring the performance of editorial content, newsletters, and partnerships
D. For Editorial and Business Purposes
• Producing and publishing editorial content, including features on submitted projects, agencies, designers, and DIELINE Awards winners
• Producing the DIELINE Awards Annual digital publication and related materials
• Marketing and promoting DIELINE products, the DIELINE Awards, events, sponsorship opportunities, and partner programs
• Operating sponsor and partner relationships, including providing data for sponsorship reporting
E. For Legal, Compliance, and Security Purposes
• Preventing fraud, abuse, security incidents, and violations of our Terms
• Protecting the security and integrity of the Services
• Complying with legal obligations, court orders, subpoenas, and lawful government requests
• Establishing, exercising, or defending legal claims
• Enforcing our agreements and policies
F. Legal Bases for Processing (EU/UK Residents)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, Switzerland, or another GDPR-applicable jurisdiction, we rely on the following legal bases for processing your personal information:
• Contract: to provide Services you’ve requested (newsletters, DIELINE PRO subscriptions, awards entries) and fulfill our obligations to you
• Consent: for sending marketing communications (such as DIELINE Awards deadline reminders sent outside the newsletter), for placing non-essential cookies, and for certain awards-related uses (consent may be withdrawn at any time)
• Legitimate interests: for operating and improving the Services, conducting analytics, preventing fraud, performing editorial activities, marketing our own similar services to existing customers, and protecting our legal rights — balanced against your rights and interests
• Legal obligation: for complying with applicable laws, including tax, accounting, and data protection laws
You may object to processing based on legitimate interests as described in Section 5 (Your Privacy Rights).
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information in exchange for monetary consideration. We share personal information only as described in this Section.
A. Service Providers
We share personal information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf under written agreements requiring them to protect personal information and use it only for authorized purposes. Categories of service providers include:
• Newsletter delivery and hosting: Substack Inc.
• Payment processing: Stripe, Inc.
• Email marketing (transactional and awards-related): Mailchimp / Intuit, Inc., and successor email service providers
• Website hosting and infrastructure
• Analytics and measurement: Google Analytics and similar providers
• Customer support tools
• Awards entry platform providers
• Cloud storage and productivity tools
• Fraud prevention and security providers
B. Editorial Publication
Information you provide in connection with project submissions, awards entries, directory listings, designer credits, interviews, or other editorial features may be published as part of DIELINE editorial content (in articles, the DIELINE Awards Annual, social media posts, podcasts, and other publications), subject to applicable consents and the terms of the DIELINE Awards Rules where relevant.
C. Awards Partners and Sponsors
With your consent (typically obtained at the time of awards entry or sponsor program participation), we may share entry information and contact information with awards sponsors or partners for purposes related to the DIELINE Awards, including category sponsorships and recognition programs.
D. Legal Disclosures
We may disclose personal information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to:
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, or other agreements
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of DIELINE, our Users, or others
• Investigate, prevent, or take action regarding suspected fraud, security issues, or violations
• Respond to legal claims and exercise legal rights
E. Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, financing, bankruptcy, or similar transaction, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will provide notice of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.
F. With Your Direction or Consent
We may share personal information for other purposes with your direction or consent.
G. Aggregated and De-Identified Information
We may use and share aggregated, anonymized, or de-identified information (which cannot reasonably be used to identify you) for any purpose.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information automatically when you use the Services. The categories of cookies we use include:
Strictly Necessary Cookies.
Required for the Services to function (authentication, security, paywall enforcement, load balancing). These cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality.
Functional Cookies.
Remember your preferences (language, region, display settings) and enhance your experience.
Analytics Cookies.
Help us understand how the Services are used. We use Google Analytics and similar providers. You may opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.
Marketing and Advertising Cookies.
Used to track engagement and serve relevant advertising and remarketing. Where required by applicable law (including in the EU/UK), we obtain consent before placing non-essential cookies.
Managing Cookies.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, through our cookie consent banner (where displayed), and through our online preferences interface where available. Blocking some cookies may impact functionality. For information on managing cookies, see your browser’s help documentation or visit allaboutcookies.org.
Do Not Track.
Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. Because there is no industry-standard interpretation of DNT signals, we do not currently respond to them. We do honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals from California residents as opt-out preference signals under the CCPA/CPRA.
5. Your Privacy Rights
A. Rights Available to All Users
Regardless of where you live, you may:
• Access and update your account information by logging into your DIELINE account
• Unsubscribe from newsletters using the unsubscribe link in any email
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Cancel your DIELINE PRO subscription at any time through your account settings
• Contact us at andrew@thedieline.com with questions or requests
B. Rights for EU, UK, and Other GDPR-Jurisdiction Residents
If you are located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, Switzerland, or another jurisdiction with GDPR or substantially equivalent law, you have the following rights, subject to applicable exceptions:
• Right of access: receive confirmation of whether we process your personal information and obtain a copy
• Right to rectification: correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”): request deletion of your personal information
• Right to restriction of processing: limit how we process your information in certain circumstances
• Right to data portability: receive your information in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format and transmit it to another controller
• Right to object: object to processing based on legitimate interests, including objection to direct marketing
• Right to withdraw consent: withdraw consent for processing based on consent at any time
• Right not to be subject to automated decision-making: not be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing that produce legal or similarly significant effects (we do not currently engage in such automated decision-making)
• Right to lodge a complaint: file a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority
To exercise these rights, contact us at andrew@thedieline.com. We will respond within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as permitted by applicable law). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
C. Rights for California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act:
• Right to know: request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the sources of collection, the business purposes for collection, and the categories of third parties with whom we share information
• Right to delete: request deletion of personal information we have collected, subject to certain exceptions
• Right to correct: request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to opt out of sale or sharing: opt out of any sale or sharing (as defined in the CCPA/CPRA) of your personal information. We do not sell personal information for monetary consideration. To the extent any sharing of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising constitutes “sharing” under CPRA, you may opt out by emailing andrew@thedieline.com or through GPC signals.
• Right to limit use of sensitive personal information: limit our use and disclosure of sensitive personal information to specific permitted purposes
• Right to non-discrimination: not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights
• Right to designate an authorized agent: designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf
D. Categories of Personal Information (CCPA Disclosure)
In the past twelve (12) months, we have collected the following categories of personal information as defined in California Civil Code § 1798.140:
• Identifiers (name, email, IP address, account ID)
• Customer records information (billing address, payment information)
• Commercial information (subscription history, purchase history)
• Internet and electronic network activity (browsing history on our Services, engagement data)
• Professional and employment information (job title, company)
• Inferences drawn from the above (preferences, interests)
Sources: directly from you, from your interactions with our Services, from our service providers, and from third parties (such as social media platforms when you connect them).
Business purposes for collection: as described in Section 2.
Categories of third parties to whom we disclose information for business purposes: service providers as described in Section 3A, editorial partners, awards sponsors (with consent), legal and regulatory authorities (as required), and successors in business transfers.
Sale of personal information: We have not sold personal information for monetary consideration in the past 12 months.
Sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising: We may use third-party advertising and analytics cookies that could constitute “sharing” under CPRA. You may opt out via andrew@thedieline.com or by enabling Global Privacy Control.
E. Rights for Other US State Residents
Residents of Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA), and other US states with applicable consumer privacy laws have similar rights, including the right to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain processing. To exercise these rights, contact andrew@thedieline.com. We will honor verifiable requests in accordance with applicable state law.
F. How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of the rights described above, please contact us at andrew@thedieline.com or write to Dieline Media, LLC, Attn: Privacy Officer, at the mailing address provided in Section 11. We may require verification of your identity before processing your request. Authorized agents may submit requests on your behalf with appropriate authorization documentation.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. To determine appropriate retention periods, we consider the nature and sensitivity of the data, the purposes of processing, applicable legal obligations, and whether the data can be anonymized.
General retention practices:
• Account information: while your account is active, plus a reasonable period thereafter for legitimate business and legal purposes
• Subscription and payment records: as required by applicable tax, accounting, and financial law (typically seven years)
• Newsletter subscriber data: while you are subscribed, plus a reasonable period for suppression list maintenance after unsubscribe
• DIELINE Awards entry data: retained as part of the historical awards archive, subject to your right to request deletion of identifying personal information
• Communications and customer support records: a reasonable period to address recurring issues and protect our legal rights
• Analytics data: typically aggregated or anonymized after a reasonable period
When personal information is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymize it, except where retention is required by law.
7. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption in transit, access controls, vendor due diligence, and security review. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for protecting your account credentials. In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and applicable supervisory authorities in accordance with applicable law.
8. International Data Transfers
Dieline Media is based in the United States, and personal information collected through the Services may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States or other countries where we or our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws different from those of your country of residence.
For transfers of personal information from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland to the United States and other countries that have not been deemed to provide an adequate level of data protection, we rely on appropriate safeguards, including:
• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, and Swiss authorities
• Data Processing Agreements with our service providers (including Substack and Stripe)
• Where applicable, service provider participation in approved cross-border data transfer mechanisms such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, the UK Extension to the Data Privacy Framework, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
You may request a copy of the safeguards we use for international transfers by contacting andrew@thedieline.com.
9. Children’s Privacy
The Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The Services are also not directed to children under 16 in jurisdictions where 16 is the minimum age for digital consent (including the EU/UK).
If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child below the applicable age without verified parental consent, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at andrew@thedieline.com.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will:
• Post the updated Privacy Policy on the Services with a new Effective Date
• Notify subscribers and account holders of significant changes by email
• Obtain new consent where required by applicable law
Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. Previous versions of this Privacy Policy will apply to information collected before the new Effective Date, where required by law.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices:
Dieline Media, LLC
Attn: Privacy Officer (Andrew Gibbs)
382 N Lemon Ave #1105
Walnut, CA 91789, United States
Email: andrew@thedieline.com
General inquiries: andrew@thedieline.com
EU/UK Representative.
Where Dieline Media is required to designate a representative in the European Union or United Kingdom under Article 27 of the GDPR or UK GDPR, contact information for such representative will be made available here.
Data Protection Officer.
Where Dieline Media is required to appoint a Data Protection Officer under Article 37 of the GDPR or UK GDPR, contact information for the DPO will be made available here.
Supervisory Authorities.
EU/EEA residents may lodge a complaint with their local Data Protection Authority. UK residents may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk). California residents may contact the California Privacy Protection Agency (cppa.ca.gov) or the California Attorney General (oag.ca.gov).
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