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What is a press release?

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Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
A press release (news release) is a short, written announcement sent to journalists and media outlets to share newsworthy information about a company, organization, product, event, or person. Its purpose is to make it easy for reporters to cover the story or for outlets to republish the news.

Key elements
- Headline: clear, attention-grabbing summary.
- Dateline: city and date of release.
- Lead (first paragraph): the most important facts — who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- Body: supporting details, background, statistics, and context, arranged in the inverted-pyramid style (most important first).
- Quote(s): from an executive, expert, or involved party to add perspective.
- Boilerplate: brief description of the organization issuing the release.
- Media contact: name, phone, and email for follow-up.
- Optional: links, images, video, or attachments.

When and why it’s used
- Announce product launches, partnerships, funding, events, awards, leadership changes, research findings, crises, or other news.
- Aim is earned media coverage, visibility, SEO, or to inform stakeholders.

Best practices
- Keep it concise (one page if possible).
- Lead with the news; avoid jargon and hype.
- Use facts, clear quotes, and a newsworthy angle.
- Follow AP-style conventions if targeting journalists.
- Include contact info and any embargo instructions if applicable.
- Add multimedia (photos/video) to increase pickup.

Distribution
- Sent directly to journalists or targeted media lists.
- Posted to a company newsroom or press-release distribution services and wire services.
- Shared via social media and email to broaden reach.

That’s the core — a press release is a structured, journalist-friendly announcement designed to turn organizational news into media coverage.