Methodology

For the first time, USA TODAY and Statista are awarding the “Best Financial Advisory Firms” in the US.

The ranking of the best registered investment advisory firms (“RIA Firms”) is based on two dimensions: recommendations by clients and peers and a firm’s growth of Assets under Management (AUM).

Research approach:

• The recommendations were collected via an independent survey sent to over 20,000 individuals. While clients were able to evaluate and recommend their RIA firm, financial advisors working for an RIA firm were asked to consider a scenario where their own firm could not take on a client and had to recommend another RIA firm they appreciate.
• The development of AUM was analyzed both, short and long term based on publicly available data. For the short term view , the growth of AUM over a twelve months period was calculated, from January 2022 to January 2023. For the long term view , the growth of AUM over a five year period was calculated, from 2018 2023.
• In the consideration for the top 500 RIA firms, recommendations had a weight of 20% while development of AUM had a weight of 80% (short term and long term growth were equally weighted) to derive the final score.

For further information on the methodology please click here.

Please note the following conditions:

In consideration for payment, which is due as provided in the invoice, Gannett Media Corp. (“Gannett”), owner of USA Today and the official seal pictured in this Order Form (“Official Seal”), and Statista, Inc. (“Statista”) – collectively referred to as “Licensor” - hereby grant to Licensee a non-exclusive, worldwide, non-transferable, non-sub-licensable license during the Term to use the Official Seal for the purposes described (the “Permitted Purpose”). Licensee shall not (i) use the Official Seal other than for the Permitted Purpose, (ii) imply any endorsement by Gannett or Statista of Licensee’s business as such, or (iii) attribute any statement to Gannett or Statista beyond the recognition described in the Official Seal. Licensee shall ensure its use of the Official Seal complies with applicable laws. Licensee shall not alter the Official Seal in any manner. Licensee shall promptly provide examples of its Official Seal use upon request.

The term of this Agreement is twelve (12) months from the later of (i) signature date of this Order Form or (ii) the date of publication of the list that the Official Seal relates to (“List”) if the Official Seal was ordered in advance of publication ("Term").

Gannett and Statista each severally represents and warrants, as to its respective intellectual property in the Official Seal, that it has the right to grant the license herein, but. make no other representation or warranty, expressed or implied or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, non-infringement and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

Licensee represents and warrants that (i) it is the party named in the List and (ii) it has not, and shall not, engage in any activity that, in Licensor’s judgment, (A) violates any law or third party right, tends to bring Licensee into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule, or tends to shock insult, or offend any protected class or group or the majority of the public ; and/or (B) may in any way harm or adversely reflect on the name, goodwill or reputation of Gannett or Statista, or its respective products or trademarks. (“Negative Acts”).

Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice if Licensee: (i) commits any Negative Act; or (ii) any underlying data changes such that Licensee would, therefore, no longer qualify for inclusion in the List. Licensor may also terminate this Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice if Licensee materially breaches any of the other terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement will not terminate if Licensee has substantially cured the breach (if curable) to the reasonable satisfaction of Licensor prior to the end of the notice period. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, Licensee’s right to use the Official Seal shall immediately terminate and all rights granted to Licensee hereunder with respect to the Official Seal shall automatically revert to Licensor without further action or notice.

Licensee shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Gannett and Statista and its respective affiliates, successors and assigns, and their respective employees, agents, officers, owners and directors from and against all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), of whatever nature and kind (“Damages”), arising out of or relating in any way to Licensee’s breach of this Agreement.

Gannett and Statista shall each severally defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Licensee and its affiliates, heirs, successors and assigns, and their employees, agents, officers, owners and directors from and against all third party claims brought against Licensee and resultant Damages assessed against Licensee, arising out of or relating in any way to any alleged violation of any third party intellectual property right by its respective intellectual property contained in the Official Seal.

Except for the obligations in Section 5, neither Gannett nor Statista, nor any of their affiliates, will be liable for (i) any damage whatsoever (including without limitation direct damages related to lost revenues or profits) resulting from or in any way related to the use of the Official Seal, regardless of the legal theory on which such damages are based and (ii) any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages arising out of this Agreement or use of the Official Seal by Licensee, whether in tort, contract or other claims in law or equity, and regardless of whether any Party has been advised of such damages. Gannett and Statista’s combined maximum liability to Licensee under this Agreement, under any type of claim (including negligence), will not exceed the total amount of fees paid for license of the Official Seal.

This Agreement shall be governed by New York law, without regard to its principles of conflict of laws. The parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of and venue in the state and federal courts in New York, New York.

All notices shall be in writing, sent by prepaid overnight delivery service, signature required (with a copy by email) to the addresses set forth in the cover page. This Agreement binds and inures to the benefit of the parties, their heirs, administrators, executors, successors and permitted assigns. The Official Seal license may not be assigned by Licensee. Licensor may assign this Agreement to an affiliate or to an acquiror. If Licensee breaches or threatens to breach this Agreement, Licensor may severally or jointly pursue all remedies, including, but not limited to, seeking injunctive relief and damages without necessity of giving notice, showing actual damages or posting bond or other security. If any part of this Agreement is found to be illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining parts shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement, including all exhibits and amendments, sets forth the entire agreement between the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings whether written or oral as to the subject matter herein.

Please Contact: