What is Cision PR Newswire?
Cision PR Newswire is a leading press release distribution service that helps businesses share their news with media outlets, journalists, and target audiences worldwide. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about this powerful communications platform. What is PRNewswire and How Does it Work?
PR Newswire, owned by Cision, distributes press releases and multimedia content to an extensive network of media organizations, websites, and journalists. When you submit a press release through their platform, it gets distributed across their network, which includes:- Major news websites
- Industry-specific publications
- Social media platforms
- Online news aggregators
- Journalists’ inboxes
Key Features and Benefits
PR Newswire stands out with several distinctive offerings:- Global distribution reach across 170 countries
- Translation services for multilingual releases
- Multimedia distribution capabilities (photos, videos, infographics)
- Detailed analytics and reporting
- SEO benefits through widespread digital placement
- Access to a database of industry-specific journalists
PRNewswire Pricing Structure
PR Newswire operates on a membership-based model with various pricing tiers:- Annual Membership Fee: $195
- Basic Press Release Distribution: Starting at $995 per release
- State-wide Distribution: $350-$800 per release
- National Distribution: $800-$2,500+ per release
- Global Distribution: Custom pricing based on regions
- Add-on Services: Additional fees for multimedia, targeting specific industries, or advanced analytics
Who Should Use PR Newswire?
PR Newswire is particularly valuable for:- Public companies needing to distribute regulatory filings
- Businesses launching new products or services
- Organizations making significant announcements
- Companies seeking media coverage and brand visibility
- Startups looking to build credibility and presence
PR Newswire Company History
PR Newswire’s 1954 founding by Herbert Muschel was critical to the growth of public relations as a profession. Muschel operated the service from his Manhattan home for its first 15 years.
Then, he sold it to Western Union, the corporation that dominated the telegraph. In late 2015, the Chicago-based PR software company Cision, Ltd. acquired PR Newswire. It’s now called Cision PR Newswire.
What is PR Newswire today? Like the field of PR itself, this company has broadened its scope beyond publicity distribution alone.
PR Newswire and Cision
PR Newswire has benefited from synergies under the larger Cision umbrella. The overlap is significant. So it can be challenging to identify which arm of the company is responsible for a given business line or initiative.
These include Cision’s cloud and software development initiatives. For example, Cision and its corporate clients can monitor and analyze media conversation trends. They also monitor their reputation using high-tech analytic tools.
As part of Cision, PR Newswire now distributes its news releases and the information they contain globally. They also use multiple media channels such as photos, videos, and websites.
To make cultural inclusivity a standard practice, the company distributes multicultural content. It is directed toward minority groups.
Cision has become involved with investor relations (IR) and SEC compliance protocols. This helps publicly-traded companies communicate more effectively with their investors.
As the company website states, “NYSE, NASDAQ and OTC listed companies place their confidence in Cision to manage all aspects of their shareholder communications.”
Who Uses PR Newswire?
Sometimes, members of the general public will read “naked” news releases on corporate websites. Companies like PR Newswire or E-Releases also post these. Still, the majority get their news when it appears in the media.
Below are some professions with compelling reasons to subscribe to news releases and read them as soon as they’re released.
Businesses
Of course, businesses of all kinds rely on news release distributors. They use them to share company news. Sometimes the goal is deception, such as when a product’s known dangers or defects are glossed over.
However, most is upfront, honest business. People greatly value announcements from the medical community, for example. These could be about new drug therapies or innovations in less invasive surgical procedures.
Nonetheless, it takes a good news reporter to use business news releases as a foundation for further research, rather than direct and factual information.
Journalists
Many of today’s news organizations lack the funding and audience to sustain investigative journalism. There are few journalists like Sinclair Lewis or Woodward and Bernstein these days.
The situation leaves reporters struggling to find content that will engage readers. Thus, they rely on news releases form businesses.
Non-Profits
Non-profit organizations need PR and news releases for fundraising. Fortunate non-profits have well-established donor bases. Most use news releases to direct attention to and speak persuasively about their accomplishments.
PR Professionals
The professionals who write news releases benefit from reading and staying apprised of what colleagues have written. Making this a routine activity helps them spot PR trends and continually hone their skills.
The Role of PR Newswire in 21st-Century News
In recent years, it’s become more challenging to identify and reject “fake news.” There’s simply too much information competing for the public’s attention today.
It’s hard to tell where and how a news story originates and what interests underlie it. People have long written PR news releases to persuade. As journalism becomes ever more commercialized, it’s harder to tell which sources to trust
It’s hard to say whether there was ever a time when the public cast a skeptical eye on the PR industry and its news releases, but at least they were easier to spot when they showed up in the news media.
It could be that news releases on the homepages of PR Newswire and other news release distribution businesses are the most reliable source of corporate news. With these, you know a story’s purpose and where it came from.
Is There a Better Alternative to PR Newswire for Small Businesses?
PR Newswire is a powerful tool to generate pickup of your press releases in the media. But is there an alternative which may be cheaper and even more effective for small businesses?
eReleases.com is that solution for small businesses, offering complete distribution on PR Newswire’s National newswire.
Why Choose eReleases Over PR Newswire: A Cost-Effective Alternative for Press Release Distribution
Cost Advantage and Value Proposition
eReleases offers significantly lower pricing while still utilizing PR Newswire’s network:- eReleases pricing starts at $299 per release
- No annual membership fees required
- Bulk discounts available for multiple releases
- Access to PR Newswire’s distribution network at a fraction of the cost
Personal Service and Editorial Support
Unlike PRNewswire’s self-service model, eReleases provides:- Free professional proofreading
- Personal account representatives
- Writing assistance when needed
- Same-day editorial feedback
- Guaranteed editorial review before distribution
Targeted Distribution Focus
eReleases specializes in:- Journalist-focused distribution
- Direct-to-journalist email lists
- Industry-specific targeting
- Small to medium business optimization
WireWatch™ Reporting
Their reporting system offers:- Real-time tracking of release performance
- Detailed placement reports
- Click-through analytics
- Media pickup monitoring
Ideal for Small to Medium Businesses
eReleases is particularly beneficial for:- Startups with limited PR budgets
- Small businesses seeking media attention
- Medium-sized companies wanting value
- Organizations new to press release distribution
- Companies requiring occasional releases
The eReleases.com Advantage
Key differentiators include: No membership requirements Faster turnaround times More personalized service Better suited for smaller organizations More flexible distribution optionsLimitations to Consider
Some potential drawbacks:- Less international reach than PR Newswire
- Fewer premium add-on services
- More limited multimedia distribution options
- Smaller overall network (though still substantial)
Who Should Choose eReleases?
eReleases is ideal for:- Budget-conscious organizations
- First-time press release distributors
- Companies wanting personalized support
- Businesses focusing on US media coverage
- Organizations needing occasional distribution
Cost Comparison
eReleases vs PR Newswire:- eReleases: Starting at $299 per release
- PR Newswire: Starting at $995 per release + $195 annual fee
- Potential savings: $700+ per release
Getting Started with eReleases
The process is straightforward:- No membership required – pay as you go
- Submit your release online
- Receive editorial feedback
- Approve distribution
- Track results through WireWatch™
eReleases provides a cost-effective alternative to PR Newswire while maintaining professional quality and reach. For organizations that don’t require global distribution or premium features, eReleases offers better value and more personalized service.
The significant cost savings, combined with their editorial support and targeted distribution, make them an attractive option for businesses looking to maximize their PR budget while still achieving meaningful media coverage.
PR Newswire and eReleases.com Today
PR Newswire has played an important historical role in distributing corporate and related announcements and updates for journalists to share.
What happens, though, when the journalists who process and share this information now fight their way through the same overwhelming sea of content as everyone else?
Do you remember the questions we posed at the start, “What is PR Newswire today”?
If it’s at all like our news release service, you might reply that PR Newswire is a straightforward and well-organized source of information for companies wanting to share their latest news.
This offers a breath of fresh air after being saturated by mainstream news media!
Are you’re looking for an excellent complement or alternative to Cision’s PR Newswire? One meant for small businesses? If you are, be sure to check out what we do!