Instruction
To get attention, your news release should:
Be in a standard format that journalists can easily understand and glean the key information
Provide information that's of interest to the journalist and his/her audience.
Demonstrate one or more of the news values described in your
Answer the five w's – who, what, when, where, why.
Write a news release for one of the following scenarios. Use the set of facts provided. For additional information, interview another student or a family member who will play the role of the key figure. Use the proper news release format found in Chapter 10 of the textbook; list yourself as the media contact person.
Events/Activities. The governor of your state will be the keynote speaker at your college or university's graduation ceremonies on the third Saturday of next May. The governor will also receive an honorary degree from your president. For additional information, "interview" the head of academic affairs or the commencement planning committee.
Personnel Activities. You are public relations director of Canton Electronics located in your hometown. The 15-year-old company manufactures high-tech components for electronics systems in UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), commonly called drones. Most of your products are used for nonmilitary search-and-recovery missions by police, firefighters and other rescue workers. The company has 275 employees. Fill out a hypothetical bio sheet for Florindo Sanvincenzo, who has just been promoted to vice president for research and development, succeeding Milton Williams, who is retiring. Write a news release for Sanvincenzo's hometown newspaper.
Programs/Services. The Jefferson County, Va., YWCA is beginning a program, "Focus on Finance," to help women plan their personal finances. The focus will be on helping participants develop plans to overcome current financial problems. The program is free to county residents.