Styles of news releases Announcement (straight news, making an Announcement) Feature (combo info + entertainment) Hybrid (combo of Feature + Announcement ) Give a brief overview of the presentation. Describe the major focus of the presentation and why it is important. Introduce each of the major topics. To provide a road map for the audience, you can repeat this Overview slide throughout the presentation, highlighting the particular topic you will discuss next.

Similar to the news releases Social media (web-based) Media advisories (breaking news) Pitches (exclusives to particular journalists) Give a brief overview of the presentation. Describe the major focus of the presentation and why it is important. Introduce each of the major topics. To provide a road map for the audience, you can repeat this Overview slide throughout the presentation, highlighting the particular topic you will discuss next.

Traditional (paper) heading On organization’s stationery with letterhead News Release in BF (block left) Double spaced Continues with FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, next line date Continues with FOR MORE INFORMATION, horizontal align End with centered ‘###’ or ‘-30-’ Give a brief overview of the presentation. Describe the major focus of the presentation and why it is important. Introduce each of the major topics. To provide a road map for the audience, you can repeat this Overview slide throughout the presentation, highlighting the particular topic you will discuss next.

Traditional (paper) format Double-space the text Fewer than two pages (preferably one) If more than one page, type ‘-more-’ at bottom of first page If more than one, condensed head with page number upper right corner Give a brief overview of the presentation. Describe the major focus of the presentation and why it is important. Introduce each of the major topics. To provide a road map for the audience, you can repeat this Overview slide throughout the presentation, highlighting the particular topic you will discuss next.

Traditional (paper) format Organization Letterhead News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION: Nov. 20, 2012 Catherine Jones Public Relations Director (555) 123–4567 cjones@xyz.org   Circle City Red Cross schedules downtown blood drive Give a brief overview of the presentation. Describe the major focus of the presentation and why it is important. Introduce each of the major topics. To provide a road map for the audience, you can repeat this Overview slide throughout the presentation, highlighting the particular topic you will discuss next.

Traditional (paper) format HAMDEN, CT—The Connecticut Board of Regents has named Edward Ballyhoo the new president of Quinnipiac University. Ballyhoo , formerly vice-provost of Weslaco College in Milwaukee, will begin his new duties March 18, said Regents Director Roberta Kramer. Ballyhoo , 54, served as vice-provost at Weslaco College for seven years. Before that, he was the Burnett Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry at Cortland University in Portland, Tenn. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Madrid University in 1986. Ballyhoo will be sworn in on Sept. 18 at the Student Union. “I'm both honored and challenged to assume the presidency of Quinnipiac University,” Ballyhoo said. “I pledge to do my best for Quinnipiac .” Ballyhoo succeeds Richard Warner, who retired Sept. 1. ###

Traditional (paper) content First sentence usually includes the 5 Ws, i.e.: Who – identify key people accurately and early on What – be specific with only relevant details; it’s not just red wine, it’s a young Italian red wine When – check dates, ensure that you need/do not need date in the past or in the future Where – a setting, such as a venue, a city, an address (Park Avenue) Why – try to clarify or understand the situation or character

Traditional (paper) content And 1 ‘H’, i.e.: How – identify things to help clarify or explain the Why How much? How many? How long?

Traditional (paper) content First paragraph (‘lead’) includes the important info Info less important in subsequent paragraphs Include ‘lively’ quotation from organization (pertinent) Be concise, precise Be objective in voice (avoid opinion / subjective statements)

Where to Place News Releases? Target the publics you hope will read the message Target the specific media that reaches those publics Target the reporters in the specific media that reaches those publics (education, health, sports etc) A bias to ‘crisis’ stories (24-hour cycle); you must interpret/pitch it in a way to make it seem relevant