The Public Relations Blog

News releases focusing strictly on news value are more effective than press releases in today's media landscape.

In the world of public relations, there are two main types of releases organizations use to garner media attention: the press release and the news release. Though they may seem similar, news releases are more valued in today’s media landscape due to their higher news value and more journalistic style.

So what’s the difference?

To better the PR pro/journalist relationship, avoid these common mistakes.

Public relations professionals and journalists have a symbiotic yet strained relationship at times. As a PR veteran who worked with the media for over 15 years, I've encountered recurring habits among reporters that annoy even the most experienced PR pros. 

Though many journalists are a pleasure to work with, a few key etiquette tweaks could go a long way toward smoothing out communication.

In this episode, Kasey Klee, Marjorie Comer, and Bob Wiltfong join On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to discuss media relations best practices.

Tune in to learn more!

Commercial newswire news releases may be an asset, but they must be used judiciously.

Companies often use commercial newswire services to distribute news releases with the goal of securing media placement and reaching a wider audience. But do these paid distribution services actually help with search engine optimization? The short answer is yes, but there are caveats.

Marketers need to be more selective and creative when pitching ideas.

PR professionals have always tried to make their pitches more enticing by linking them to major news events. However, new data reveals this once-solid strategy is becoming increasingly ineffective in 2023. 

In this episode, Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations and host of On Top of PR, discusses the intricacies of earned media coverage and PR strategies.

Tune in to learn more!

Business-to-consumer cybersecurity companies can use national media coverage to expand their consumer base and share best practices.

With the proliferation of technology and growing digitalization of our lives, cybersecurity is no longer a niche subject but a mainstream concern. For business-to-consumer (B2C) cybersecurity companies, getting national media coverage is not just about brand promotion; it's about contributing their knowledge to a vital public discourse.

Media barometers help us analyze the reach of different media. Propel PRM released their Q2 media barometer for 2023. Here are the most notable highlights gathered from the report:

Earned media will help your company get its “foot in the door” in a competitive home improvement industry.

Think of earned media like publicity, except this form of coverage is typically earned via public relations efforts rather than payment or advertisements. Earned media allows an organic route into the public sphere through mentions across news articles, blogs, social media posts, and more. 

Transform your media relations with these four principles of communication.

The ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with journalists is paramount in PR. The 4 R’s of media relations — responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect — serve as a guiding principle for PR professionals to foster positive relationships with the media.