The press release remains the cornerstone of PR

Though pros have seen the evolution of many strategies and tactics within the industry, the press release still remains an effective form of communication.

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For years, we’ve heard that traditional media from newspapers to television advertising is dead. Yet, somehow, all of these things have not only survived, they’ve expanded since the advent of the Internet.

Websites and social media have certainly made an impression on the world of marketing, but the vastness of “online” has far from replaced traditional forms of advertising and PR. Traditional press releases are still in use today, and in many cases, are still the best form of communication for vendors to get their products or events noticed. To understand why, let’s review the purpose of, and history behind, the press release.

Related: A $25 Million Press Release

Traditionally, the first press release is claimed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which released an official statement following the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in 1906. Press releases aren’t just used to manage crisis situations, however. Companies use this century-old form of communication to talk about any “hard news” they want to tell the public.

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