Writing a media release
Tips to help you write a press release that gets
noticed.
Scroll down or click here
to see an annotated example.
1. Include the date of release. Statements can be
released under embargo - for example, to coincide
with an event. State the date and time of embargo
clearly.
2. Print the heading in a clear typeface, and a larger
font.
3. The first paragraph should introduce the topic
briefly.
4. To encourage recognition and personalise the information,
include quotes by a named NMA representative - ideally,
a doctor.
5. Keep paragraphs short and avoid repetition. ideally,
the entire press release should not exceed one page.
6. If supporting information is needed, include this
in the 'Notes to Editors' section at the end.
7. Include a phone number at which the author can
be contacted - of possible, include an out-of-hours
or mobile phone number.
8. If you have a website, include the address. Remember
to post the press release on your website.
National Medical Association
23 Howards Close,
Bigby,
Country
Tel: 0207 200 3745
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MEDIA RELEASE
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EMBARGO: WEDNESDAY 31 MAY
1999 00.01HRS
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No hiding place for tobacco industry says
'National' Medical Association on world no
tobacco day 2
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Responding to a call for international co-operation
to restrict the predatory marketing practices
of the tobacco industry on World No Tobacco
Day (Monday 31st May 1999), the 'National' Medical
Association (NMA) calls for a national plan
to enforce legislation on tobacco control, to
help smokers quit and to place a punitive tax
on the tobacco industry. 3
Dr ......... ................... , President
of the NMA, says: 4 "The tobacco
industry is public enemy number one and is clearly
seen as such even by smokers themselves. Smokers
understand very clearly that cigarettes are
addictive and many of them want to stop. They
need help to succeed and it is right that the
costs of smoking cessation should be borne,
at least in part, by the industry which works
so hard to recruit new addicts.
"Despite growing evidence that the tobacco
industry has known for decades that nicotine
is addictive, the industry is still trying to
wriggle out of a frank acknowledgement of that
fact. It even tries to claim the success of
some smokers in managing to quit as evidence
in its favour. The plain fact of the matter
is that cigarettes are addictive. Some smokers
manage to give up smoking relatively easily
just through willpower. Others need extra support
- from friends, relatives, doctors, specialist
clinics or from nicotine replacement therapy."
"I hope that an undertaking to cooperate on
an international scale will stiffen the resolve
of Government to take firm action through legislation,
both to control the industry and to help and
support its victims. There must be no hiding
place for the tobacco industry." 5
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Ends
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Note to editors: 6
World No Tobacco Day 1999 is a World
Health Organisation initiative. It is intended
to give focus one day a year to the damaging
effects of smoking and passive smoking (environmental
tobacco smoke) and to counter the claims of
the tobacco industry.
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Date: Thursday 16 March 2000
Time: 11.00hrs
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Venue:
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Forum Hotel ul. Nowogrodzka 24/26 00-511 Warszawa
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Contact 7
Ms Viviettlo 0123 456 7890
Public Relations Department After working hours
and weekends: 0123 987 6543 'National' Medical
Association
email:
Internet: 'http://www.nma.org' 8
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