When I asked Miriam Schaffer, Placemaking Group’s lead PR strategist, what was a new aspect of the web and getting press, this was her response…
We’re often asked by CEO’s and other business executives about how they can get their names in the news.
One publicity tactic we often recommend is an ongoing press release distribution program. We have found that if we continually issue press releases through PR Newswire or other press release distribution services, the company’s online presence increases and sometimes results in a call from the media to our client. That makes everyone happy–the reporter is happy because he found the story, we are glad that our press releases resulted in our client getting an interview, and of course the client is pleased because he is getting media attention.
An example of a press release distribution program that worked is our publicity program for 1-800-Radiator, a North American franchise that is the nation’s fastest growing wholesale auto parts distributor.
Press releases we issued for the company dealt with topics such as the company’s recent acquisitions, available franchise opportunities, and new franchises opening.
Because of news releases continually being sent out, several articles resulted for the company and its CEO Mike Rippey such as one in Franchise Times: http://www.franchisetimes.com/content/story.php?article=01010
Also, there was a story focusing on the Akron, Ohio 1-800-Radiator franchisee that ran in the Akron Beacon Journal and was picked up by several web sites: http://franchisetalk.net/2008/05/20/franchising-is-cool
If your business has a good story to tell or if you are an executive and would like to be featured in the media, getting your name in the news is possible.
We know from our ongoing contact with the media that the first place journalists look these days for sources is on the Internet. And, you want to be there when they’re looking for information about you or your company.
