A press release is a brief text announcement of an event, development, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press. If a newspaper or magazine is interested in your release, they will publish it as an article. If a radio or TV station is interested in your release, they will mention it on-air or conduct an on-air interview with someone from your company/organization.

A press release is NOT a poem, a letter, a flyer, or an advertisement.


5 Tips for Writing an Effective Press Release for the Black Media:

1) Write your press release as if you are writing an article. Write in 3rd person format.
2) Give your press release a meaningful, but relatively short title.
3) Mention how your product/service/development relates to the Black community.
4) Keep the length of your press release to no more than one page.
5) Include a photo (if you have one)


Below is a Template of How Your Press Release Should Look:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2004

CONTACT:
Kelly Williams, Burrell
kdwilliams@burrell.com
(312) 297-9716


MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL MAKES $300,000 CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS

Washington, DC - Marriott International, as part of a long relationship with The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), has donated $300,000 to support NABA's undergraduate scholarship fund, professional development and its Accounting Careers Awareness Program, a youth residency initiative. NABA represents minority professionals in the fields of accounting and finance.

At the same time, under a good faith agreement, NABA has committed to hosting its 2004 and 2005 annual conventions at Marriott hotels. The association has also agreed to hold two other conferences at Marriott properties between 2006 and 2009.

"NABA and Marriott have enjoyed a long partnership. Marriott has leveraged NABA resources to recruit minority finance and accounting talent," said Norman Jenkins, VP, Owner & Franchise Services, Marriott International Inc. "In addition, Marriott supports its associates in becoming NABA members, which has resulted in leadership development and professional opportunities, including continuing professional education for Certified Public Accountants and Certified Financial Advisors."

NABA has held its annual convention, which draws approximately 1,900 delegates, at Marriott properties in 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2003.

In recent years, Marriott has received honors for its diversity efforts from numerous organizations, including Latina Style, DiversityInc., Working Mother and Fortune magazines, as well as the NAACP, National Minority Business Council and Black Meetings & Tourism.

Marriott International, the first hospitality company in the world to establish a formal supplier diversity program, today spends more than $150 million a year with more than 10,000 minority and women-owned businesses.

Marriott International is a leading worldwide hospitality company with more than 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories.

Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Marriott is also in the synthetic fuel business. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 128,000 employees. In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit www.marriott.com


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