Don’t Underestimate The Power a Good Press Release!

• PRact workshop at Mumbai Press Club draws huge response

The workshop on The Art of Press Release Writing organized under the aegis of PRact – a joint platform of PRCI and IPRF – at Mumbai Press Club on the occasion of the World Communicators’ Day has evoked a tremendous response with over 60 paid delegates participating.

Communication professionals from corporate, consultancies and individual practitioners attended the workshop.

PRCI observes October 28 as the World Communicators Day since it was on this day that the world’s first press release was issued in 1906 by Ivy Lee in the US.

PRCI national president B N Kumar, who is also Executive Director of Concept PR,  kick-started the interactive workshop at which PR veteran Jitender Bhargava,  former Executive

Director – Corpcom, Air India, Journalists Gurbir Singh (former editor, BusinessWorld), Rajesh Kurup (Hindu BusinessLine) and Dharmedra Jore (Mid-Day) spoke about the importance of a good press release and how to create one.

Here are the key takeaways from the workshop:

• A Press Release begins with a catchy headline
• Then follow three or four bullet points that highlight key aspects of the release
• The most important points should come in the first two or three paras, else it will be junked.
• PR practitioners should follow the inverted-pyramid formula – the most important aspect on the top and the least in the bottom.
• We should also remember the 5Ws-and-1H formula.
• Newsrooms may ask ‘So What?’.
• Hence justify the release.
• Everybody wants the release to appear in The Economic Times and The Times of India
• The key is get journalists interested in the release
• News is no more about North-East-West-South.
• What’s new makes the news.
• Remember KISS – Keep it Short and Sweet.
• Grammar is very important in which ever language you write a press release.
• Use social media posting to popularize your press releases
• Some releases on product launches may not get media attention – however hard one may try.
• Use social media and once the post goes viral, the print medium will be interested in it.
• Mention contacts whoich are available for media queries – and not those who happen to be on leave or travelling.
• The idea of issuing a press release is to facilitate a journalist to write and not to harass him with irrelevant stuff.
• Clients and bosses might want to see their press releases in key media.
• They must be made to understand the functioning of media.
• Media familiarization workshops for clients are a must to keep their expectations at reasonable levels.
• Know your media well, make lists of various beat journalists, keep updating them for improved productivity since, for instance, there is no point in sending a business development story to a political journalist and vice-versa.
• Think like a journalist.
• Check the result of your press releases
• Check the wires which carry your release; check for the style, presentation and the art of writing.
• Your job becomes easier, if you follow and observe journalistic style of writing.
• It doesn’t happen overnight.
• But will sure happen with practice.
• For any more queries/clarifications you can contact B N Kumar at mailbnk@gmail.com
• He is available 24x7

World Communicators Day Focus on The Art of Writing Press Releases

• PRCI event at Punjab University

CHANDIGARH: The School of Communication Studies at Punjab University, along with Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) observed the World Communicators Day by organising a workshop on The Art of Press Release Writing October 30, 2017.

PRCI observes October 28 as the World Communicators Day since it was on this day in 1906 that the first formal press release was issued by a Public Relations practitioner Ivy Lee in USA following a train accident. It also marked the beginning of formal PR and the birth of Crisis Communications.

Dr. Archana R. Singh, chairperson of School of Communication Studies, said that such

workshops and interactive session give a practical exposure to students and help

them when they step out to work for the industry.

National Executive Committee Member of PRCI and a PR consultant C.J. Singh, conducted the workshop citing various examples for pitching the press releases for various media. He informed about various elements required for writing a press release. He informed that the release needs to be projected in inverted pyramid style. He talked about the importance of ethics and credibility for professionals.

Earlier Ms. Renuka B. Salwan, Director Public Relations, PU and PRCI National Vice

President – North, pointed out that Council is a premier non-political organisation of professionals in the field of Public Relations, Communication, advertising and many other allied services. It has been actively perusing the spread and popularity of communication and Public Relation in India with 30 chapters pan-India.

She said that press release is an important source of information for the media that helps them reach out to their readers with news where their teams cannot reach. She gave tips for building stories into news by finding a right slot in media. She urged them to blend action with issue while writing the press release.

Over 30 students participated in the workshop on press release writing.  The students were given certificates of participations.

Thoolika Lit Awards Presented on World Communicators’ Day

ERNAKULAM:  Celebrating the World Communicators Day on 31^st October at Ernakulam Press Club, the Kerala chapter of PRCI, presented  the 3^rd Thoolika Literary Awards.

Dr M C Dileep Kumar, former Vice Chancellor of Adi Sankara University,  Kalady, was the Chief Guest gave away the awards to noted novelist and short-story writer E P Sreekumar and Dr Mary Metilda, one of the top HRD and corporate trainers from the South. She was the former teacher and  Principal of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam.

E.P.Sreekumar was awarded the best literature (fiction) for the collection of stories, “Adhvanavetta”, while Dr. Mary Metilda was bestowed with the best literature (composition) award for “Jeevitam Padippicha Vijaya  Mantrangal”. The winners were adjudged by a jury comprising of eminent Journalists cum Authors, Ravi Kuttikattu,  Leela Menon and Story Writer, Author Dr.K.A.Marydas.

Sreekumar said that though he had received many awards in the past, he considered  the Thoolika  Award as the most prestigious one because it was presented by a premier  organization which provides the foremost platform for PR and communications professional s with close to 30 chapters pan India.  He held the trophy close  to his heart as he concluded his speech thanking the organizers.

Dr Mary  was very emotional while delivering her thanks-giving speech. She said that she will definitely share the happiness with her students and advise them to be good communicators in life because life is all about communication, without which the world will be like an empty shell. She also said that she accepted the award with high gratitude and would cherish the same for the rest of her life.

A snapshot of Media coverage

The jury chairman  Ravi Kuttikkad, a veteran journalist and noted writer, said that it was a great opportunity for him to be associated with a professional organization like PRCI and to  head the judging committee for selecting the winners of Thoolika award particularly while celebrating the World Communications Day.

Mr U S Kutty, chairman, presided over the meeting, Mr T Vinay Kumar Secretary welcomed the gathering and Mr P K Natesh, Treasurer offered vote of thanks.  The meeting was attended by more than 50 people including journalists and well wishers of PRCI.