AdCP — brand.json Specification

The brand.json file provides a standardized way for brands to claim their identity and establish discoverable brand information. It supports four mutually exclusive variants to accommodate different use cases.

brand.json is the canonical source of brand identity data. The brand object defined here (logos, colors, tone, tagline) is the single brand definition used across AdCP. Tasks reference brands by domain and brand_id — the system resolves full identity from brand.json or the registry.

File location

Brands host the brand.json file at:

https://example.com/.well-known/brand.json

Following RFC 8615 well-known URI conventions.

Variants

The brand.json file supports four mutually exclusive variants:

1. Authoritative Location Redirect

Points to a hosted brand.json at another URL:

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "authoritative_location": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/brand/abc123/brand.json"
}

Use this when:

Brand.json is hosted centrally (e.g., by a service provider)
CDN distribution is needed
Managed brand services

2. House Redirect

Points to the house domain that contains the full brand portfolio:

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "house": "nikeinc.com",
  "note": "Regional site - see house for brand portfolio"
}

Optional fields:

region: ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (e.g., “CN”)
note: Explanation text

Use this when:

Brand domain is owned by a larger house
Regional/localized domains point to main house
Legacy domains redirect to canonical

3. Brand Agent

Designates an MCP agent that provides brand information:

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "version": "1.0",
  "brand_agent": {
    "url": "https://agent.acme.com/mcp",
    "id": "acme_brand_agent"
  }
}

Optional fields:

contact: Contact information

When a brand has an agent, the agent is the authoritative source for brand identity data.

4. House Portfolio

Contains the full brand hierarchy with all brands and properties:

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "version": "1.0",
  "house": {
    "domain": "nikeinc.com",
    "name": "Nike, Inc.",
    "architecture": "hybrid"
  },
  "brands": [
    {
      "id": "nike",
      "names": [{"en": "Nike"}],
      "keller_type": "master",
      "properties": [
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "nike.com", "primary": true}
      ]
    }
  ]
}

House definition

The house object represents the corporate entity:

Field	Type	Required	Description
`domain`	string	Yes	House’s primary domain
`name`	string	Yes	Display name
`names`	array	No	Localized names
`architecture`	enum	No	`branded_house`, `house_of_brands`, or `hybrid`

Brand definition

Each brand in the brands array:

Field	Type	Required	Description
`id`	string	Yes	Brand identifier (lowercase alphanumeric with underscores)
`names`	array	Yes	Localized names (see below)
`keller_type`	enum	No	`master`, `sub_brand`, `endorsed`, `independent`
`parent_brand`	string	No	Parent brand’s id
`properties`	array	No	Digital properties owned by brand
`brand_agent`	object	No	Agent providing brand identity data `{ url, id }`
`rights_agent`	object	No	Rights licensing agent `{ url, id, available_uses, right_types, countries }`
`logos`	array	No	Brand logo assets
`colors`	object	No	Brand color palette
`fonts`	object	No	Brand typography
`tone`	object	No	Brand voice and messaging guidelines (`voice`, `attributes`, `dos`, `donts`)
`tagline`	string	No	Brand tagline or slogan
`visual_guidelines`	object	No	Structured visual rules for generative creative systems

Names Array

Names are localized with language codes:

{
  "names": [
    {"en": "Nike"},
    {"en": "The Swoosh"},
    {"zh": "耐克"},
    {"ja": "ナイキ"}
  ]
}

Multiple entries per language are allowed (for aliases).

Keller Types

Brand architecture classifications from marketing theory:

Type	Description	Example
`master`	Primary brand of house	Nike for Nike, Inc.
`sub_brand`	Carries parent brand name	Nike SB
`endorsed`	Independent identity, endorsed by parent	Air Jordan “by Nike”
`independent`	Operates separately from house	Converse

Visual guidelines

The visual_guidelines object provides structured rules that generative creative systems can use to produce on-brand assets consistently. These are brand constants — they don’t change campaign to campaign.

Visual guidelines complement the basic identity fields (colors, fonts, logos). Colors define what the brand palette is; visual guidelines define how to use it. Fonts define font families; visual guidelines define the type scale.

Photography

Controls how brand photography should look when selected or generated:

{
  "photography": {
    "realism": "natural",
    "lighting": "soft daylight",
    "color_temperature": "warm",
    "contrast": "medium",
    "depth_of_field": "medium",
    "subject": {
      "people": {
        "age_range": "25-45",
        "diversity": "mixed",
        "mood": ["confident", "relaxed"]
      },
      "product_focus": "in-use",
      "setting": "outdoor"
    },
    "framing": {
      "subject_position": "center-left",
      "crop_style": "waist-up",
      "perspective": "eye-level"
    }
  }
}

Field	Type	Description
`realism`	enum	`natural`, `stylized`, `hyperreal`, `abstract`
`lighting`	string	Lighting style description
`color_temperature`	enum	`warm`, `neutral`, `cool`
`contrast`	enum	`low`, `medium`, `high`
`depth_of_field`	enum	`shallow`, `medium`, `deep`
`subject`	object	Subject matter guidelines (people, product focus, setting)
`framing`	object	Camera framing rules (position, crop, perspective)
`preferred_aspect_ratios`	array	Preferred aspect ratios (e.g., `["16:9", "4:5", "1:1"]`)
`tags`	array	Additional style descriptors

Graphic style

Defines the visual language for brand graphics and illustrations:

{
  "graphic_style": {
    "style_type": "flat_illustration",
    "stroke_style": "rounded",
    "stroke_weight": "2px",
    "corner_radius": "12px"
  }
}

Style types: flat_illustration, geometric, gradient_mesh, editorial_collage, hand_drawn, minimal_line_art, 3d_render, isometric, photographic_composite.

Field	Type	Description
`style_type`	enum	`flat_illustration`, `geometric`, `gradient_mesh`, `editorial_collage`, `hand_drawn`, `minimal_line_art`, `3d_render`, `isometric`, `photographic_composite`
`stroke_style`	enum	`rounded`, `square`, `mixed`, `none`
`stroke_weight`	string	Stroke weight (e.g., `2px`)
`corner_radius`	string	Corner radius for rounded elements (e.g., `12px`)
`tags`	array	Additional style descriptors

Shapes

Brand shapes used as part of visual identity:

{
  "shapes": {
    "primary_shape": "circle",
    "secondary_shapes": ["rounded_rectangle", "diagonal_wave"],
    "usage": {
      "max_per_layout": 2,
      "overlap_allowed": true
    }
  }
}

Field	Type	Description
`primary_shape`	string	Primary brand shape (e.g., `circle`, `rounded_rectangle`, `hexagon`)
`secondary_shapes`	array	Secondary shapes in the brand vocabulary
`usage.max_per_layout`	integer	Maximum distinct shapes per layout
`usage.overlap_allowed`	boolean	Whether shapes may overlap

Iconography

Icon style system and usage rules:

{
  "iconography": {
    "style": "outline",
    "stroke_weight": "2px",
    "corner_style": "rounded",
    "usage": {
      "max_per_frame": 3,
      "size_ratio": "1:8"
    }
  }
}

Field	Type	Description
`style`	enum	`outline`, `filled`, `duotone`, `flat`, `glyph`, `hand_drawn`
`stroke_weight`	string	Icon stroke weight (e.g., `2px`)
`corner_style`	enum	`rounded`, `square`, `mixed`
`usage.max_per_frame`	integer	Maximum icons per creative frame
`usage.size_ratio`	string	Icon-to-layout size ratio (e.g., `1:8`)

Composition

Layout rules for overlays, textures, and backgrounds:

{
  "composition": {
    "overlays": {
      "gradient_style": "linear",
      "gradient_direction": "45deg",
      "opacity": "70%"
    },
    "texture": {
      "style": "subtle_grain",
      "intensity": "low"
    },
    "backgrounds": {
      "types_allowed": ["solid_color", "gradient", "image"]
    }
  }
}

Texture styles: none, subtle_grain, noise, paper, fabric, concrete. Intensity: low, medium, high. Background types: solid_color, gradient, blurred_photo, image, video, pattern, transparent.

Graphic elements

Reusable decorative or structural visual elements that are part of the brand identity — torn paper edges, watermarks, dividers, background patterns:

{
  "graphic_elements": [
    {
      "name": "Paper Tear",
      "type": "frame",
      "description": "Torn paper edge used as section dividers and photo frames. Use primarily vertical orientation.",
      "orientation": "vertical",
      "colors": ["#a75230", "#f6f1f1", "#fba007"],
      "max_per_layout": 2
    },
    {
      "name": "Location Sketch Watermark",
      "type": "watermark",
      "description": "Light hand-drawn building sketch behind content, visible through the logo area",
      "colors": ["#a75230"]
    }
  ]
}

Field	Type	Required	Description
`name`	string	Yes	Element name
`type`	enum	No	`border`, `divider`, `frame`, `watermark`, `pattern`, `texture_overlay`, `decorative`
`description`	string	No	How the element is used in layouts
`orientation`	enum	No	`horizontal`, `vertical`, `any`
`colors`	array	No	Colors this element may appear in
`max_per_layout`	integer	No	Maximum instances per layout

Motion

Motion and animation rules for video, animated display, and interactive formats:

{
  "motion": {
    "transition_style": "dissolve",
    "animation_speed": "moderate",
    "easing": "ease-in-out",
    "text_entrance": "fade",
    "pacing": "lingering",
    "kinetic_typography": false
  }
}

Field	Type	Description
`transition_style`	enum	`cut`, `dissolve`, `slide`, `wipe`, `zoom`, `fade`
`animation_speed`	enum	`slow`, `moderate`, `fast`
`easing`	string	Default easing function (e.g., `ease-in-out`, `spring`, `linear`)
`text_entrance`	enum	`fade`, `typewriter`, `slide_up`, `slide_left`, `scale`, `none`
`pacing`	enum	`lingering`, `moderate`, `fast_cuts`
`kinetic_typography`	boolean	Whether animated/kinetic typography is allowed
`tags`	array	Additional motion style descriptors

Logo placement

Logo placement and clear space rules for automated creative production:

{
  "logo_placement": {
    "preferred_position": "bottom-left",
    "min_clear_space": "0.5x",
    "min_height": "40px",
    "background_contrast": "any"
  }
}

Field	Type	Description
`preferred_position`	enum	`top-left`, `top-center`, `top-right`, `bottom-left`, `bottom-center`, `bottom-right`, `center`
`min_clear_space`	string	Minimum clear space as a multiple of logo height (e.g., `0.5x`, `1x`) or fixed value (e.g., `16px`)
`min_height`	string	Minimum logo height for legibility (e.g., `40px`)
`background_contrast`	enum	`light_only`, `dark_only`, `any`

Colorways

Named color pairings that define how colors work together. Allows a creative brief to reference “use my primary colorway” without specifying every color:

{
  "colorways": [
    {
      "name": "primary",
      "foreground": "#FFFFFF",
      "background": "#FF6600",
      "accent": "#0066CC",
      "cta_foreground": "#FFFFFF",
      "cta_background": "#0066CC"
    },
    {
      "name": "inverted",
      "foreground": "#FF6600",
      "background": "#FFFFFF",
      "accent": "#0066CC",
      "border": "#FF6600"
    }
  ]
}

Field	Type	Required	Description
`name`	string	Yes	Colorway name (e.g., `"primary"`, `"inverted"`, `"dark"`)
`foreground`	hex color	Yes	Text/foreground color
`background`	hex color	Yes	Background color
`accent`	hex color	No	Accent color
`cta_foreground`	hex color	No	Call-to-action text color
`cta_background`	hex color	No	Call-to-action button color
`border`	hex color	No	Border color
`channels`	array	No	Channels where this colorway applies (e.g., `["online"]`, `["print", "pos"]`). Omit for universal colorways.

Type scale

Typography scale defining sizes and weights for different text roles:

{
  "type_scale": {
    "base_width": "1080px",
    "heading": {
      "font": "primary",
      "size": "48px",
      "weight": "700",
      "line_height": "1.1"
    },
    "subheading": {
      "font": "primary",
      "size": "24px",
      "weight": "600",
      "line_height": "1.3"
    },
    "body": {
      "font": "secondary",
      "size": "16px",
      "weight": "400",
      "line_height": "1.5"
    },
    "caption": {
      "font": "secondary",
      "size": "12px",
      "weight": "400",
      "line_height": "1.4"
    },
    "cta": {
      "font": "primary",
      "size": "18px",
      "weight": "700",
      "text_transform": "uppercase",
      "letter_spacing": "0.05em"
    }
  }
}

The font field references font roles defined in the brand’s fonts object ("primary", "secondary"), or can specify a font family name directly. When sizes are in pixels, use base_width to indicate the reference canvas these sizes were designed for. Generative systems should scale proportionally for other canvas sizes — a 48px heading designed for 1080px width would scale to 14px on a 320px mobile leaderboard.

Asset libraries

References to managed asset libraries (icon sets, illustration systems, image collections). URLs are for human access — a brand portal, press kit, or DAM landing page that a person can open in a browser.

{
  "asset_libraries": [
    {
      "name": "Brand Illustrations v2",
      "type": "illustration_system",
      "url": "https://brand.example.com/illustrations",
      "description": "Flat illustration system with defined color guide",
      "color_guide": {
        "roles": ["base", "shadow_1", "shadow_2", "highlight_1", "highlight_2", "stroke"],
        "palettes": [
          {
            "name": "orange",
            "colors": {
              "base": "#FF6600",
              "shadow_1": "#CC5200",
              "shadow_2": "#993D00",
              "highlight_1": "#FF8533",
              "highlight_2": "#FFB380",
              "stroke": "#662900"
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Field	Type	Required	Description
`name`	string	Yes	Display name of the asset library
`type`	enum	Recommended	`icon_set`, `illustration_system`, `image_library`, `video_library`, `template_library`
`url`	string (URI)	Yes	URL to the asset library (for human access)
`description`	string	No	Description of library contents and usage
`color_guide`	object	No	Color roles and palettes used in the library

The color_guide provides generative systems with the color palettes used in the library — useful for producing on-brand illustrations or icons without accessing the library itself.

Restrictions

Visual prohibitions and guardrails — the visual equivalent of tone.donts. These tell generative systems what to avoid:

{
  "restrictions": [
    "Never place text over the product",
    "Do not use black backgrounds",
    "No stock photography of people on phones",
    "No split-screen layouts"
  ]
}

Property definition

Properties are digital touchpoints owned by brands:

Field	Type	Required	Description
`type`	enum	Yes	Property type (see below)
`identifier`	string	Yes	Domain or app ID
`store`	enum	No	App store (`apple`, `google`, etc.)
`region`	string	No	ISO country code or `global`
`primary`	boolean	No	Is this the primary property?

Property Types

Matches AdCP property-type enum:

website
mobile_app
ctv_app
desktop_app
dooh
podcast
radio
streaming_audio

Resolution algorithm

To resolve a domain to a canonical brand:

Fetch https://{domain}/.well-known/brand.json
Check variant:
- authoritative_location: Fetch from that URL, continue from step 2
- house (string): Fetch from house domain, continue from step 2
- brand_agent: Return agent URL (agent provides brand info)
- house (object) + brands: Search for domain in properties
For house portfolio, find the brand whose properties contain the query domain
Return canonical brand information

Maximum redirect depth: 3 hops.

Complete examples

Small Business

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "version": "1.0",
  "house": {
    "domain": "bobsburgers.com",
    "name": "Bob's Burgers LLC"
  },
  "brands": [
    {
      "id": "bobs_burgers",
      "names": [{"en": "Bob's Burgers"}],
      "keller_type": "master",
      "properties": [
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "bobsburgers.com", "primary": true}
      ],
      "logos": [
        { "url": "https://bobsburgers.com/logo.svg", "tags": ["icon"] }
      ],
      "colors": { "primary": "#FF6B35" }
    }
  ]
}

Enterprise with Agent

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "version": "1.0",
  "brand_agent": {
    "url": "https://brand-agent.enterprise.com/mcp",
    "id": "enterprise_brand_agent"
  },
  "contact": {
    "name": "Enterprise Brand Team",
    "email": "brand@enterprise.com"
  }
}

Multi-Brand Portfolio

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "version": "1.0",
  "house": {
    "domain": "nikeinc.com",
    "name": "Nike, Inc.",
    "architecture": "hybrid"
  },
  "brands": [
    {
      "id": "nike",
      "names": [{"en": "Nike"}, {"zh": "耐克"}, {"ja": "ナイキ"}],
      "keller_type": "master",
      "properties": [
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "nike.com", "primary": true},
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "nike.cn", "region": "CN"},
        {"type": "mobile_app", "store": "apple", "identifier": "com.nike.omega"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "air_jordan",
      "names": [{"en": "Air Jordan"}, {"en": "Jordan"}, {"en": "Jumpman"}],
      "keller_type": "endorsed",
      "parent_brand": "nike",
      "properties": [
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "jordan.com", "primary": true},
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "jumpman23.com"},
        {"type": "mobile_app", "store": "apple", "identifier": "com.nike.snkrs"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "converse",
      "names": [{"en": "Converse"}],
      "keller_type": "independent",
      "properties": [
        {"type": "website", "identifier": "converse.com", "primary": true}
      ]
    }
  ],
  "contact": {
    "name": "Nike Brand Team",
    "email": "brand@nike.com"
  }
}

Talent Agency with Rights

A talent agency managing athlete brands with licensable rights:

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "version": "1.0",
  "house": {
    "domain": "lotientertainment.com",
    "name": "Loti Entertainment",
    "architecture": "house_of_brands"
  },
  "brands": [
    {
      "id": "daan_janssen",
      "names": [{"en": "Daan Janssen"}],
      "description": "Dutch Olympic speed skater, 2x gold medalist",
      "industries": ["sports_fitness"],
      "logos": [
        {
          "url": "https://cdn.lotientertainment.com/janssen/headshot.jpg",
          "variant": "primary"
        }
      ],
      "brand_agent": {
        "url": "https://rights.lotientertainment.com/mcp",
        "id": "loti_entertainment"
      },
      "rights_agent": {
        "url": "https://rights.lotientertainment.com/mcp",
        "id": "loti_entertainment",
        "available_uses": ["likeness", "voice", "endorsement"],
        "right_types": ["talent"],
        "countries": ["NL", "BE", "DE"]
      }
    }
  ]
}

The rights_agent field tells crawlers what’s licensable without any MCP calls — available uses, rights type, and countries. Buyer agents can search the registry for “Dutch athletes available for voice licensing” and find matches from the indexed brand.json data.

Regional Domain Redirect

On nike.cn/.well-known/brand.json:

{
  "$schema": "https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v3/brand.json",
  "house": "nikeinc.com",
  "region": "CN"
}

Caching

Recommended cache TTLs:

Canonical files: 24 hours
Redirect files: 24 hours
Failed lookups: 1 hour

Best practices

Start simple: Begin with minimal brand.json and add complexity as needed
Use redirects for subsidiaries: Point brand domains to house domain
List all properties: Include regional domains, apps, and legacy domains
Keep names current: Include localized names and common aliases
Visual guidelines are optional: Add them when you need generative systems to produce on-brand assets consistently. Start with colorways and restrictions — they have the highest immediate impact.
Keep portfolios lean: For house portfolios with many brands, include visual guidelines only on brands that need them. Full visual guidelines on every brand in a large portfolio increases file size significantly.

Documentation

​File location

​Variants

​1. Authoritative Location Redirect

​2. House Redirect

​3. Brand Agent

​4. House Portfolio

​House definition

​Brand definition

​Names Array

​Keller Types

​Visual guidelines

​Photography

​Graphic style

​Shapes

​Iconography

​Composition

​Graphic elements

​Motion

​Logo placement

​Colorways

​Type scale

​Asset libraries

​Restrictions

​Property definition

​Property Types

​Resolution algorithm

​Complete examples

​Small Business

​Enterprise with Agent

​Multi-Brand Portfolio

​Talent Agency with Rights

​Regional Domain Redirect

​Caching

​Best practices

File location

Variants

1. Authoritative Location Redirect

2. House Redirect

3. Brand Agent

4. House Portfolio

House definition

Brand definition

Names Array

Keller Types

Visual guidelines

Photography

Graphic style

Shapes

Iconography

Composition

Graphic elements

Motion

Logo placement

Colorways

Type scale

Asset libraries

Restrictions

Property definition

Property Types

Resolution algorithm

Complete examples

Small Business

Enterprise with Agent

Multi-Brand Portfolio

Talent Agency with Rights

Regional Domain Redirect

Caching

Best practices