What is a press release?
A press release, also called a news release or media release, is an official announcement that a company writes and distributes to journalists and publishers. A press release aims to provide accurate information. It's a way to present all relevant information of a story onto one-two pages, attracting media attention.
They are typically written to bring attention to a new product, to give information for an upcoming public event, to inform an audience of a change in leadership or to make a funding announcement.
Best examples of press releases by type
There is a standard press release format, whatever the news is. In this guide, we divide the press release examples by type, so you can see how the same format works for funding news, events, crises and more. Every example of a press release below follows that structure.
1. General news and public announcements
This is to announce some important company news you feel is relevant and worthy of sharing.
Examples could be successful funding rounds, new management, new technology to help customers or the launch of a new business.
Revolv3 is a fintech company, and this is a good example of a press release for funding news. It tells Revolv3 customers that the funds raised will go towards improving the product's features. The announcement also signals that the company is in a strong position for the future, and the release increases the brand's visibility among potential new customers.
2. Event press release example
Press releases can announce upcoming events hosted by your company to media outlets and current or potential customers.
It reveals the event's theme, who will be speaking, and where it will be held. The event could be a conference or charity event.
In this release, TimmyStevens Co. announced a brand awareness event for future innovations. Here, we see that sometimes, less can be more.
When it comes to a press release highlighting an event, the date and location are the most important things. Contact details on how to attend are provided. What could have made it stronger would be highlighting who would benefit from attending the event to reel more people in.
Learn more about event press releases
3. Crisis communications press release examples
Problems can occur at any time. This is why it is important to respond swiftly to any crisis. Solving the issue may not be enough.
Depending on the circumstance, you may need a press release to state exactly how you will solve it.
The idea is to deliver the information about the situation to your intended audience and to detail how you will respond. It can also unite people, as we’ll see.
A great sample of a crisis press release comes from Shenandoah Telecommunications. This release addresses the crisis from the perspectives of several stakeholders, including parents, business owners and employees, who all faced unique challenges while quarantining during COVID-19. A free service upgrade was also offered to ease stakeholders' concerns.
By stating their commitment to uninterrupted service, they reassure customers and employees who depend on them for their businesses and families.
Here is another example of an effective crisis communications press release. When Volkswagen designed computer software to hide the true amount of emissions from their vehicles, they needed to find a way to calm their shareholders, acknowledge their error, and reassure the public of their resolve in the face of a crisis.
This press release did just that, and it also works as a press statement example: a reactive response to a crisis rather than an announcement of new news. Volkswagen acknowledged the violation of people's trust, doing so honestly and humbly, which recognized the significance of its actions.
This news release example from Target is another great crisis management press release. Data breaches happen quite frequently in the business world, and they can have serious consequences. In this press release, the retail chain reassures people that it is fully investigating what happened to stop it from happening again. It also confirms that payment information was not at risk. There is also a call to action on what to do if you have been impacted, with clear contact details provided. A press release of this nature can also take the time to remind customers of the history they share with the company.
Learn more about crisis press releases
4. Charity press release example
A charity press release aims to bring attention to a charity or cause, most often from a non-profit organization.
You want a journalist to write about your event, fundraising or campaign. The purpose is to raise awareness among a broader audience and increase participation.
In this collaboration between McDonald's and the Trussell Trust to reduce hunger and poverty, the direct action McDonald's is taking is clearly stated, and the press release encourages action and discussion on the wider, relatable problem of food waste.
It also lets readers know what they can do to help. The McDonald's logo at the top makes the brand instantly recognizable and will generate interest.
5. New hire press release sample
These inform relevant stakeholders (investors, customers, and the general public) of the value the new hire will add.
For example, what experience this person has and what to expect from him or her going forward.
This release from Nahan, a direct marketing solutions company, highlights the new executive's experience and credentials in the industry and hints at what he will do going forward.
The release also makes the news easy to share and discuss on social media. A picture helps too.
Learn more about new hire press releases
6. Product launch press release example for a new product
These press releases tell an audience about a new (or improved) product being launched. The idea is to focus on what makes this product different from your competitors and sell its benefits.
In this news release example, the headline tells the reader what the new product is and its main benefit. There is a direct quote from the CEO, followed by further benefits that show why the new product is better than previous ones, including how it will make work easier and less risky for staff. The visual shows the product in action.
Learn more about product launch press releases
7. Award press release example
Award press releases let the media know you have won an award, why you won it and what it means for your business.
It's a great way to get positive attention to your company's achievements and demonstrate your expertise.
This media release example is one PRLab created for Unifonic. This communications company announced its achievement in being recognized as a great place to work by a credible and relevant authority. It also lists the company's other achievements, such as international expansion. It also cleverly reiterates what the company does and the benefits to customers of its services.
Learn more about award press releases
8. Merger, acquisition and partnership press release example
An acquisition press release is used to announce a recent corporate acquisition to the media.
It is used to inform and reassure stakeholders about the company's position and the importance of the deal. It can also be used to announce your wider intentions and the future direction the company will take.
In this example, Zoom announces an acquisition and what it means to its customers. The advantages are discussed, and the statement “we believe that no current platform offers all of these” is meant to show their lead over competitors and their confidence.
Zoom is a market leader in its field, and the desire to constantly improve is demonstrated here.
Learn more about acquisition press releases
9. Embargoed press release
An embargoed press release is a news release, announcement or media alert shared with selected journalists before its official publication. A specific date and time is set for the information to become public. Embargoes are most often used for sensitive or high-impact news, so journalists have more time to research and report the story accurately.
Learn more about product embargoed press releases
Conclusion
Journalists receive press releases from lots of companies every day, so yours needs to be instantly recognizable as newsworthy. The best press release examples above have a few things in common: they lead with the news, back it up with specific facts, include a quote that adds something new and make it easy for journalists to get in touch. If you're ready to create your own, our step-by-step guide on how to write a press release walks you through each part.
But a press release is only one tool within public relations. It documents your news; it doesn't build the relationships that get that news covered. That work happens through media relations: knowing which journalists cover your industry, understanding what their readers care about and offering them stories, data and expert comment that are genuinely useful, long before you have something to announce.
The companies that appear in the media month after month don't simply send more press releases. They combine a clear position in their market, credible proof and strong relationships with journalists, so that every announcement lands with people who already know and trust them. For B2B tech companies, this matters even more: tech and trade journalists see a constant stream of funding rounds and product launches, and they cover the companies whose story is clear, whose claims are backed by data and who they already know.
FAQs
What does a good press release example look like?
A good press release example is short, specific and easy to quote. Take a funding announcement: the headline states the news, such as "Acme raises $15 million Series A to automate invoice processing." The first paragraph answers who, what, when, where and why in under 50 words. Next come the figures, one quote that adds insight and a short boilerplate. It ends with media contact details and the ### symbol. The Revolv3 and Unifonic examples above follow exactly this pattern.
What are typical examples of press releases for tech companies?
The most common technology press releases announce funding rounds, product launches, partnerships, executive hires and original research. A funding release names the amount, the lead investor and the use of funds. A product launch explains the problem solved and a measurable result. A partnership release shows what customers can now do that they couldn't before. A research release shares new data that journalists can cite. For B2B companies, the technology press releases that earn the most coverage tie each announcement to a clear market position.
What is a good press release sample for a new product?
A strong new product press release leads with the problem the product solves, not with its features. For example: "Acme launches AI tool that cuts month-end closing time for finance teams." The opening paragraph explains who it's for, what it does and when it's available. The body adds pricing, availability, a quote from the CEO or a customer and one or two proof points. The product launch example above shows how a clear headline, a quote and a visual work together.
What is a good press release example for an event?
An event press release example should make the date, location and reason to attend clear in the first lines. For instance: "Acme hosts free fintech summit in Amsterdam on 12 May for finance and payments leaders." The opening paragraph covers who is speaking and who should attend. The body adds the agenda, registration details and a quote from the organizer. As the TimmyStevens example above shows, being concise works, but stating clearly who benefits from attending makes an event release much stronger.
What does a press statement example look like?
A press statement example is shorter than a press release and reacts to news instead of announcing it. A typical one runs to three or four paragraphs: a short headline, the date, the company's position and a quote from a spokesperson. For example: "Statement from Acme on today's service outage: our platform was unavailable for two hours this morning. Service is now fully restored, and no customer data was affected." The Volkswagen example above shows the honest, accountable tone a good statement needs.
