Media release template
MEDIA RELEASE
Date
Headline
The headline of a media release should summarise the key points but catchy, interesting and strong. It is designed to catch the attention and encourage further reading. Ensure you bold it.
Lead
Start with your town/city (ie Grafton). The lead paragraph is the key part of your media release. It is essential that your lead is punchy and has the story hook. Check that is includes:
WHO did it?, WHAT did they do?, WHERE did they do it?, WHEN did they do it?, WHY did they do it?, HOW did they do it?
Body
The paragraph under the lead should expand on the lead and be the point where you start telling the story. The body of the media release it is important to prioritise messages from the most important to the least important. Use short sentences and short paragraphs with vigorous, active language. Always write in the third person.
Use quotes to make your writing more interesting but remember all assertions opinions must be attributed to a particular person, or the organisation. The media are unable to use newsworthy assertions unless sourced, and they will often call to check on the quotes.
End
The last paragraph is the least important information and can include background information or summarises the essential background information about the organisation, event or person.
Always finish the release with –ends- so the journalist knows it has finished.
Contact information
Add for further media information contact: include a contact name, email, phone number.
Boiler plate (About)
Include background information about the business, art or exhibition. This information will give the journalist an overview and isn’t necessarily needed in the release.
See a media release
NAME
Attention: NAME FIELD,
PUBLICATION FIELD
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 August 2008
Minister for Housing launches Homelessness Information Clearinghouse website
Energetica, an IT consultancy specialist in the not-for profit sector has developed an innovative homelessness website to be launched today in Newcastle, by the Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek. The site provides information on various aspects of homelessness in order to help tackle this priority social issue in Australia.
The Homelessness Information Clearinghouse www.homelessnessinfo.net.au, offers opportunities for people to participate in an online community, comment on articles, generate debate, participate in discussions, share information, ideas, expertise, and discuss issues online.
Ms Plibersek said: “The launch of the National Homelessness Information Clearinghouse will make it much easier for the homelessness sector to work together and share ideas.”
“Sharing research through this new facility will help government, researchers, service providers and the community to determine if our responses to homelessness are working.”
“It will also provide links to all levels of government and homelessness organisations websites. This will help to strengthen our ability to address the complex and very real problem of homelessness in Australia,” said Ms Plibersek.
Energetica’s Director Lisa Harvey said the launch of the new Clearinghouse website will provide a central place for agencies and workers in the field to find and share information about good practice, issue management, research and case studies on homelessness in Australia.
Ms Harvey said: “Many organisations in the sector work in isolation and a single source of information will provide an efficient way to increase their capacity to deliver services to homeless people, and to connect with others working in their field.”
“The Clearinghouse website has been designed to cope with large amounts of content and includes files for download in the document library, forums, events, and hundreds of articles and documents covering 150 categories of information.”
“The site also includes several of the submissions to the Federal Government’s green paper on homelessness,” said Ms Harvey.
Energetica’s experience in working with the community sector and their expertise in building online communities will contribute to a strong and focused information clearing house, allowing people to communicate with each other, work through issues and collaborate on shared resources and new ideas.
The Clearinghouse site is an initiative of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), National Coordination and Development Committee (CAD).
-ends-
Enter your contact details
Name:
Phone:
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