Last updated December 2025
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Are you looking for examples of press releases and news releases?
Knowing how to craft a well-structured, newsworthy press release can have a huge impact on your business. And examples of well-written press releases makes the writing task easier.
In this article, we’ll give you examples of each of the 10 most frequently-written types of press releases. Plus we’ll also give you other resources to help you get additional media exposure for your business, cause, or organization.
Table of Contents
Writing a successful new product press release is crucial for generating buzz and interest. As such, a product launch press release must focus on the news aspect of the product – those things that set your product apart from all the others offering similar products.
It is important to recognize that new product press releases are just part of the launch strategy for those new products or services. Consequently, it is vital to work with the developers to clearly understand:
Understanding the specifics (not, this product is the greatest thing since sliced bread and everyone should buy it) is key to writing a press release that will get picked up and hopefully have featured stories written about it by the media.
Improving and upgrading products is a constant process in business. Whether these updates are due to competitive products, new technologies, customer demand, or product improvements, they are news, and if you present them appropriately, they can generate significant coverage by the media.
The key to success with product improvement press releases is recognizing that the fact that you’ve improved your product is not newsworthy, what those improvements mean to the customer is what makes your update newsworthy.
Thus, product improvement press releases should contain similar information to product launch announcements – focusing on the key benefits for the buyers of that product.
Mergers and acquisitions are major events that typically generate significant press coverage because they oftentimes affect large numbers of employees, investors, and customers.
It is important to recognize that because mergers and acquisitions involve investors, there are exacting data requirements (number of shares being acquired at what price,) and legal aspects that may be new to an employee tasked with corporate public relations, including forward-looking statements. While every press release should be reviewed by legal and management personnel before release, this step is even more important for a merger/acquisition announcement.
Another complicating factor is that there are two companies involved, each with their own lawyers, management, and public relations team, so it is important to be exact, timely, and patient through this process.
Mergers and acquisitions provide opportunities for multiple press release announcements, including the initial announcement, closing of the merger, the success of that merger after x months, any changes to the merger agreements, management and employee announcements, facility openings and closings, etc. Public relations professionals will want to carefully consider a full-fledged publicity campaign around the merger process.
Company events can be sources for publicity and should be announced using press releases, including:
Event press releases should give all the necessary information for a journalist to be able to cover and announce that event to the public.
Key new hires and promotions are oftentimes newsworthy, especially if they represent new corporate strategies and opportunities. New hire press releases can also be a great way to communicate key company information to customers, suppliers, and investors.
New hire and promotion press releases should explain what the new person/people bring to the company, their experience, and how they will support the company’s new/existing strategies.
Keep in mind that quotes from company officers, always a valuable element in any press release, can be especially valuable in a new hire press release as a logical way to include strategic messaging in your press release.
Awards and recognitions are outside acknowledgments of excellence. They should be sought after and, when received, should be actively promoted through press releases. We don’t get very many opportunities to have others tell the world how great we are, so let’s take advantage of those opportunities when they arise!
An award/recognition press release should explain the reason for the award and that the award acknowledges outstanding performance. Quotes in these press releases can be used to make strategic points to customers, investors, and employees, about the company’s commitment to excellence.
Partnerships oftentimes create significant opportunities for companies, creating new business, hiring opportunities, expansion into new niches and countries, and the ability to capitalize on the name and good will of all the companies involved in the partnership.
Partnership press releases give opportunities for management from each of the partners to include a quote, providing additional chances for strategic communication to customers, investors, and employees.
Achievement of major milestones, like years in business, achieving record sales, selling the xth unit, expanding into new markets, opening new facilities, etc., is a great chance to get additional PR through releasing a press release.
Company milestone achievement press releases should announce the achievement, discuss its importance, and include quotes that celebrate the accomplishment while positioning the company for future growth.
One of the best ways to get publicity is for your company to actively fund, staff, promote, and otherwise provide support to social causes. This support can be adjusted according to the size of your business – local businesses can support locally-relevant causes (or local efforts to resolve national/worldwide causes) and vice versa.
Social causes support can be more than just cash donations. They can also include staffing (all employees worked 2 days this month for Habitat for Humanity), providing infrastructure support (donating space on their servers to host their website), providing goods and services for free or at a reduced cost (donating software licenses), and encouraging their employees or customers to donate to that cause (a portion of every sale is donated to x).
While we hope you never have to deal with a crisis, they happen. And when they do, press releases can be a powerful tool to communicate your company’s position, remediation plans, and actions taken. Publicity is an important element of any company’s crisis planning to influence thoughts and actions by customers, investors, elected officials, and employees.
These examples help show the versatility of press releases, how they can be used for many different purposes.
Whether you’re announcing a new product, a company milestone, or a major partnership, every effective press release shares the same fundamental building blocks. Understanding these essential elements will help you craft announcements that journalists actually want to read and publish.
Your headline is the first—and sometimes only—thing a journalist will read. Make it count by clearly stating your news in 10-12 words or less. Use active voice, include your company name, and focus on the most newsworthy aspect of your announcement.
What works: “Acme Corp Launches AI-Powered Analytics Platform to Reduce Data Processing Time by 75%”
What doesn’t: “Acme Corp Announces Exciting New Product Launch”
The difference? Specificity. The first headline tells journalists exactly what’s new and why it matters. The second could be about anything.
The dateline appears at the start of your first paragraph and includes the city of origin and release date. This simple element provides crucial context about where and when your news is happening. Learn more about proper AP Style formatting for datelines here.
Format: CITY, State, (Month Day, Year)
Example: RACINE, Wis., (December 19, 2026)
If you’re working with a press release distribution service, they’ll typically add their source tag here automatically.
Your opening paragraph must answer the five W’s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Journalists make snap decisions about whether your news is worth covering based on this paragraph alone, so front-load all the critical information.
Think of your lead paragraph as a 30-second elevator pitch. If a journalist reads only these 3-4 sentences, they should understand the complete story and its significance. Include the most important facts first, supporting details second.
The body of your press release expands on your lead paragraph with supporting details, context, and evidence. This is where you demonstrate the news value of your announcement.
Use the inverted pyramid structure—most important information first, progressively less critical details as you go. This format makes it easy for editors to trim from the bottom if needed while preserving your key messages.
Include relevant data points, statistics, and specific details that give journalists concrete information to work with. For example, instead of saying “significant growth,” say “45% year-over-year revenue increase” or “expanded to 12 new markets across the Southeast.”
Every press release should include at least one quote from a relevant spokesperson—typically a company executive, subject matter expert, or other authority figure. These quotes serve two purposes: they add credibility and give journalists ready-to-use material for their stories.
Effective quotes don’t simply restate facts already in the release. Instead, they provide insight, context, or perspective that explains the “why” behind your news. Your quote should sound like something a real person would actually say, not marketing copy.
Good quote: “We’ve seen firsthand how manual data processing creates bottlenecks for mid-sized companies. This platform gives them enterprise-level capabilities at a fraction of the cost,” said Jane Smith, CEO of Acme Corp.
Weak quote: “We’re excited to announce this groundbreaking, innovative solution that will revolutionize the industry.”
Your boilerplate is a brief “About [Company Name]” section that appears at the end of every press release you send. This 2-3 sentence paragraph provides context about your organization for journalists who may not be familiar with you.
Include your company’s core business, year founded, headquarters location, and any relevant credentials or achievements. Keep it factual and concise—this isn’t the place for marketing language.
Make it easy for journalists to follow up by including complete contact details for your media relations person or PR team. Include:
Some organizations also include social media handles or links to media kits with additional resources like high-resolution images, executive bios, or product specifications.
Professional formatting signals credibility. Use standard fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri), single-space your copy, and align everything to the left. Keep your total length to 400-600 words, ideally fitting on a single page.
End your press release with three hash marks (###) or the word “-END-” centered below your last line. This simple notation tells journalists and editors they’ve reached the conclusion of your release—a holdover from the days of fax machines that remains standard practice today.
Even experienced communicators make preventable errors that can doom a press release before it reaches a single journalist’s inbox. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
The biggest mistake? Writing your press release as if it’s marketing copy. Journalists aren’t looking for promotional content—they’re looking for news. Using hyperbole, excessive adjectives, or marketing jargon is the fastest way to get your release deleted.
Words and phrases to avoid: “revolutionary,” “groundbreaking,” “world’s first” (unless provably true), “game-changing,” “excited to announce,” “pleased to unveil.” Instead, let the facts speak for themselves. If your product genuinely solves a significant problem, explain how with specific details.
If a journalist has to read three paragraphs to understand what your news is actually about, you’ve already lost them. Many press releases save the most important information for paragraph two or three, leading with company background or industry context instead.
The fix is simple: start with your news. Everything else is supporting detail that comes later.
Not every company announcement deserves a press release. Journalists want news—something timely, significant, or genuinely interesting to their audience. Routine business updates, minor website redesigns, or internal process changes typically don’t make the cut.
Before writing, ask yourself: “Would I click on this headline if I saw it in a news feed?” If the honest answer is no, reconsider whether you need a press release at all, or reframe your angle to emphasize the newsworthy aspect.
Too many press releases are written with only internal stakeholders in mind. But your real audience is twofold: the journalists who might cover your story, and their readers. Understanding what makes news for your industry or local market is essential.
A biotech breakthrough has a different angle for trade publications than it does for general business media. A local business expansion matters more to community newspapers than national outlets. Tailor your messaging accordingly, and send your release to reporters who actually cover your beat.
Specificity builds credibility. Generic statements like “improved customer satisfaction” or “enhanced performance” don’t give journalists anything concrete to report. Instead, provide actual numbers: “reduced customer complaint resolution time from 48 hours to 6 hours” or “increased processing speed by 40%.”
Similarly, avoid vague timeframes. “Soon,” “in the near future,” or “coming shortly” should be replaced with actual dates or quarters whenever possible.
Typos, grammatical errors, and factual inconsistencies undermine your credibility instantly. A press release represents your organization to the media—errors suggest carelessness or lack of professionalism.
Always have at least one other person review your release before distribution. Fresh eyes catch mistakes you’ve glossed over after multiple revisions. Pay special attention to names, titles, dates, and statistics—these are the most common error points and the most damaging when wrong.
Wall-of-text press releases with no paragraph breaks, inconsistent fonts, or missing standard elements look unprofessional. Journalists process dozens or hundreds of releases daily; anything that’s hard to scan gets passed over.
Use short paragraphs (3-4 sentences maximum), include white space, and stick to standard press release formatting conventions. Make your content as easy as possible to read quickly.
A press release is an official statement that announces newsworthy information to the media. You need one when you have legitimate news to share—like a product launch, significant company milestone, or important announcement—and you want media coverage to reach a broader audience than your owned channels alone can provide. Press releases give journalists ready-to-publish information while helping you control your message and build credibility.
Aim for 400-600 words, fitting on a single page. Journalists are busy and prefer concise releases that get to the point quickly. If you can’t fit your news into 600 words, you’re likely including unnecessary details or trying to cover too much ground. Focus on the most newsworthy elements and save supporting information for a separate fact sheet or media kit.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 9-11 AM (in your target time zone) typically see the best response rates. Avoid Mondays when journalists are catching up from the weekend, and Fridays when newsrooms are winding down. Never send releases late in the evening, on weekends, or during major holidays unless your news is truly time-sensitive and breaking.
Not necessarily. Many small businesses successfully write and distribute their own press releases. However, professional help can be valuable if you lack writing experience, don’t have established media relationships, or need strategic guidance on positioning your news. At minimum, consider using a professional distribution service to ensure your release reaches the right journalists, even if you write it yourself.
Include 1-2 quotes for a standard press release. One quote from a company executive or subject matter expert is typically sufficient. Add a second quote if you’re announcing a partnership (one from each organization) or if different perspectives add meaningful value to the story. More than three quotes makes a release feel cluttered and promotional.
“For Immediate Release” means journalists can publish your news right away. An embargo specifies a date and time before which journalists agree not to publish, giving them advance notice to prepare thorough coverage. Use embargoes sparingly and only for major announcements—many smaller outlets ignore them. Never embargo routine news.
While you can distribute the same base release widely, smart PR professionals customize pitches for different outlets and journalists. Add a personalized note explaining why your story matters to that specific reporter’s beat or their audience. Generic mass emails get ignored; targeted, relevant pitches get responses.
Yes, absolutely. Press releases with high-resolution images, videos, or infographics get significantly more pickup than text-only releases. Include 2-3 professional photos as separate attachments or links to a media kit. Make sure images are at least 300 DPI and properly captioned with photo credits. Video content is especially valuable for broadcast media and online publications.
Ask yourself: Would a journalist’s audience care about this? Does it affect people beyond your organization? Is it timely, significant, or genuinely unique? If your announcement is routine business as usual, it’s probably not press release worthy. Focus on news that represents meaningful change, innovation, or impact on your community or industry.
Results vary widely. Some releases generate immediate coverage; others may not get picked up at all. Typically, expect to see results within 24-72 hours if journalists are interested. Don’t be discouraged by silence—distribution is a numbers game. Track which outlets covered your story, monitor website traffic spikes, and use insights to improve future releases. Follow up strategically with key reporters, but avoid being pushy.
Quality trumps quantity. Only send releases when you have genuine news—most small to mid-sized businesses send 4-12 per year. Sending too many releases about minor updates trains journalists to ignore you. Space significant announcements at least 2-3 weeks apart unless you have truly exceptional breaking news. Build a reputation for newsworthy content, and journalists will pay attention when you do reach out.
Yes, but adapt it appropriately for each channel. Your press release should appear in full in your website’s newsroom or media center. For social media, create shorter, more engaging posts that link to the full release. For blog posts, expand on the news with additional context, behind-the-scenes details, or customer impact stories. Each channel serves a different purpose and requires a different approach.
While you can send press releases directly to journalists or post them on your website, a quality press release distribution service delivers the best results for most businesses. Professional services like eReleases connect your news with thousands of journalists who actively cover your industry or region—far beyond what you could reach on your own. Look for services that offer targeted distribution (not just generic blasts), guaranteed placement on major newswires like PR Newswire, real journalist relationships, and editorial review to strengthen your release before it goes out.
The investment pays off in expanded reach and credibility. As the only nationwide press release distribution partner for Cision PR Newswire, eReleases specializes in helping small businesses and startups get their announcements in front of the right reporters while providing personalized service and guidance. A well-distributed release to relevant journalists generates infinitely more coverage than even the perfect release sitting unseen on your website.
