press release - Also called a news release. A short, formal, and factual public announcement written by an organization’s public relations team or agency and distributed to targeted journalists, media outlets, and the general public.
Press releases aim to answer the who, what, when, where, and why of a newsworthy event, product launch, corporate milestone, research finding, or organizational update. Unlike independent journalism, a press release is created directly by the entity making the announcement, serving as an official statement on the public record.
Standard press release characteristics include:
- Page Size: Standard US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) or international A4 size.
- Word Count: 300 to 500 words for the body copy (excluding the boilerplate and contact block).
- Font Size: a clean font like Arial or Times New Roman.
- 10-12 for body
- 12-14 for subheader
- 14-16 for header
- Spacing: Single-spaced or 1.5-spaced for digital/email distribution; traditional print copies are sometimes double-spaced.
Structure of a Press Release
[ORGANIZATION LOGO HERE]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[HEADLINE IN BOLD TITLE CASE] - Keep it short, compelling and action oriented.
[SUBHEADER IN ITALICS] - 1–2 Lines Providing Extra Context or Key Statistics
[CITY, STATE] (Month Day, Year) | [LEAD PARAGRAPH] - Answer the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How in 2-3 sentences. Lead with your primary announcement or advocacy/business milestone and why it matters right now.
[SECOND PARAGRAPH] - Expansion on announcement with supporting background information specific to product or campaign details, data points or broader market context.
[DIRECT QUOTE] - add an impactful quote from company executive or project leader. The quote functions as a window into passion, strategic vision or human impact. ADA formatted.
[THIRD PARAGRAPH] - providing additional implementation detail, customer benefits, stakeholders or operational milestones.
[Option second quote] - taken from customer, student, partner, etc. to highlight real-world value
[CALL TO ACTION]
For more information, to view additional assets, or to register, visit [Insert Web URL] or follow [Organization Social Handle].
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About [Organization Name]
[Insert a standardized 2 to 4 sentence boilerplate describing your organization's mission, impact, founding background, and core offerings. Include your website and primary contact link.]
Media Contact:
[Full Name]
[Job Title]
[Organization Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Website URL]
Sample Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Show & Sell Presents “The Industry Room,” Exploring Careers in Media Distribution, Marketing and Publicity
Student-led event connects aspiring media professionals with industry executives
NEW YORK, NY | November 9, 2026. Show & Sell, a student-led organization housed within the Media Management Program at Parsons | The New School, will host The Industry Room, a panel discussion exploring careers in film distribution, marketing, and publicity, on Thursday, November 12, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Kellen Auditorium, 66 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
The event will feature Antreise Lacey, Manager of Distribution and Operations at NEON; independent filmmaker Kaiti Yoo; and video producer and editor Erika Kondo. The panelists will share their professional experiences, discuss opportunities in the evolving film industry, and offer practical advice to students interested in pursuing careers in film and media. The evening will also include networking opportunities and refreshments.
Lacey brings extensive experience in independent film distribution. Previously a Senior Manager at 1091 Pictures, she oversaw release strategies for more than 200 films and contributed to acquisitions. At NEON, she works on sales and distribution to advertising-supported and transactional video-on-demand platforms. She is also involved with Tiny Scripted, a short film and stage distribution and acquisitions company, serves on the board of the Independent Film Society of Colorado, and produces short films.
Yoo is a director, showrunner, and creator who leads KTU Studios. She has directed campaigns for major brands, including Google and Nike, and created the viral web series Two Good People, which has attracted more than 8.6 million views. She has also built an audience of more than 850,000 followers across her social media platforms.
Kondo is a video producer and editor at Hodinkee, a luxury watch and media brand, whose career began at the Carnegie Art Museums. Her work includes brand films for global corporations, music videos for independent artists, and freelance creative projects.
Event Details:
What: The Industry Room — Careers in Film Distribution, Marketing and Publicity
When: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Where: Kellen Auditorium, 66 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
For more information and registration details, visit Instagram @showandsell_newschool or the event's Partiful registration page.
About Show & Sell
Show & Sell is a student-led organization housed within the Media Management Program at Parsons | The New School dedicated to helping students bridge the gap between creative work and the business of film and media. Through industry panels, workshops, networking events, and hands-on experiences, Show & Sell connects students with media professionals and provides practical insights into marketing, distribution, audience development, and career opportunities across the entertainment industry.
Media Contact:
Eric Drake
Creative Strategy
Show and Sell
drake193@newschool.edu