News Release and Pitch

Page 1 News Release and Page 2 Pitch
Part 1: News Release
Imagine you are the media relations contact for a local business or organization, and you are working to gain exposure to local publics. Your goal is to secure
coverage in either the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Business Journal or CultureMap Houston (select one based on which readership includes your target
public.)
You decide to write either a traditional or feature news release to get coverage in that publication. Start by figuring out your news angle – i.e., what makes
your news release “newsworthy” – and understanding the “so what” value to your audience.
Write a news release that is no more than two pages long (one page ideal) and follow the formats outlined in our textbook.
Part 2: Pitch
Once you have completed and polished your news release, draft a brief (200 words max) email pitch that you would send to the relevant journalist at your
desired publication to secure coverage.
Write the pitch with the understanding that your news release will be attached to the “email,” so your goal should be to hook the journalist and get him/her to
read the release.