PLEASE can people post somewhere, so we have a record of where press releases are being sent to, so we don't end up bombarding certain news places. We want them to like us, not be annoyed beyond all reason at us 
I second this. There may in fact be private threads where media contact info is listed and another one that lists who was sent which press release/on what day/and the response. If these don't exist, I think they should.
There is little need to publish media contact info especially as it is a good idea to try to keep press releases "official" and from the same source consistently. However, letting the community at large know where press releases have been sent is a nice show of reciprocity and communion. After all, we are a community and you can see all the newbie posters after we had been asked to move talks to the Titan board. *points to self*
As for helping out, I have experience doing PR/marketing and mostly recently for a game studio. I definitely have some ideas, including press releases, a press kit and getting more CoHers involved and coordinated. I'll email Tony.
And please note, like everyone else here, I'm not trying to step on any toes. Just trying to help out.
Finally, while you can find lots of templates online and Rae posted a great example, I've got a template that I think is a little easier to follow. Unfortunately, I can't find the original site to give credit. (Google press release format, tons of good stuff like
webwire.com/FormatGuidelines.asp)
One other thing first - some unsolicited advice for those who want to write press releases. (Oh joy!) Keep it factual. Write in the 3rd person. Don't let your emotions or assumptions come into play at all. Don't write it like an article. If someone picks it up to run it as a story, it's their job to make a story out the facts and/or to contact you if they want more information. Don't harass the contact you sent it to; don't ask them about it (are you going to run it?) more than twice. It's also best to send it to a name rather than just a news@website.com address. Finally, personalize them. Never mass email. Use their name, reference any prior articles they may have done on the subject, etc.
Press Release FormatThere is a fairly standard format for creating press releases. It will help your credibility and chances of being published if you present your material this way. Each press release should include the following:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: These words should appear at the top left of the page, in upper case. If you don't want the story to be made public yet, write "HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL ...." instead.
(Really try not to do the hold thing.)Headline Just like a headline in an newspaper. Make sure this describes the content of the story.
City, State/Country - Month Day, Year These details precede the story and orient the reader.
Body This is where the actual story goes. There should be more than one paragraph, each paragraph no more than a few sentences. if there is more than one page, write "-more-" at the bottom of the page.
Company/organisation info Include any background information about the company or organisation featuring in this press release.
Contact Information Include contact person, company name, phone/fax, email, physical/postal address.
ENDS or ### This indicates the end of the press release.
(xxx words) If you like you could include the total number of words contained in the press release.
Example
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Competition is Healthy Says Lemonade Stand Queen
Hamilton, New Zealand - November 12, 2004 - Increased competition in the local lemonade stand market should be welcomed, according to the operator of popular lemonade stand "Shelly's Pure Lemonade".
12-year-old Shelly Smith has been selling her home-made brand of lemonade from the footpath in front of her parents' North Street home for 18 months and has seen the highs and lows of the trade.
"Stands come and go," says Ms Smith, "but when there are more stands around the vendors are more serious. They try harder and make a better product. That gives our customers confidence and sales go up."
In recent months the number of lemonade stands in North Street has risen from three to five. Experts believe this trend will continue, with the possibility of two or even three new stands before the end of summer.
Ms Smith feels that a stable supply of lemonade will also benefit the streets' economy.
"People know that if they are thirsty, North Street is the place to come. With plenty of lemonade stands on this street it doesn't matter if some of the vendors take a day off. The customer is never disappointed so they always come back."
Shelly Smith is a sole trader of lemonade and occasional cookies. Her stand at 223 North Street is usually open weekdays after school and weekends, except when she is playing with her friends or watching a movie.
Contact:
Shelly Smith
my@email.co.nz
233 North Street,
Hamilton,
New Zealand
Ph: +64-877-9233
###
