Tag Archives: announcements

PR Newswire Waives Distribution Fees for Press Releases Related to Humanitarian Efforts in Somalia

Posted on August 10, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Barey Mohamed Abdirahman and Four year old Farhiya Adbi Billow at Trocaire's Dollow Health Centre, Dollow, Somalia. Source: Trocaire

PR Newswire is waiving fees on the distribution of news releases through a global crisis package for organizations wishing to communicate their efforts of assistance towards relief from the devastating famine in Somalia.

“With more than 29,000 children under the age of five dead from starvation over the past 90 days and over half a million other children severely malnourished, the crisis in Somalia requires the immediate attention of any and all organizations that can lend their help,” said Scott Mozarsky, chief commercial officer, PR Newswire.  “Any organization, whether a PR Newswire customer or not, can use our media and online distribution network to convey their efforts of assistance to inform the greater public and media as well as stimulate support for those fighting for their lives.”

All non-PR Newswire members can submit a press release by emailing nyhubs@prnewswire.com.  Members can utilize the Online Member Center (http://portal.prnewswire.com/) or contact their editorial bureau.

To view news releases issued by PR Newswire members offering aid, please visit Famine in Somalia (http://latest.prnewswire.com/page/famine-in-somalia).  Members of the media can access releases on the public site or on PR Newswire for Journalists (http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?LATEST&packageid=1031677).

We offer our thanks to all organizations stepping in to assist the thousands affected by the famine in Somalia.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Trocaire (http://www.trocaire.org/)

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SXSW Video Recap: TnT TV Episode 1

Posted on March 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment

We call them “The Toms,” and get dizzy watching their check ins on Foursquare here at SXSW.  Tom Miale and Tom Hynes are armed with a camera, and aren’t afraid to use it.

We’re glad for their perspective and are eager to share it with you.  Tom Miale is a food blogger and one of the people behind our Blogger Media Tour service.  And Tom Hynes, our manager of blogger relations, runs Blog Briefs and spends his days  thinking of ways professional communciators can better work with bloggers.

Stay tuned for more TnT TV from the Toms, reporting live from SXSW!

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Fees Waived for Press Releases About Japan Quake, Tsunami Aid and Rescue Efforts

Posted on March 11, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Until further notice, PR Newswire is waiving the fees for issuing press releases relating to aid and rescue efforts for the severe earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck Japan today.

Additionally, organizations communicating disaster preparedness information to residents of Hawaii and California will also be able to use PR Newswire to issue that information at no charge.

We are also offering free distribution of news in English only to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Singapore and South Korea.

For additional details, please see the press release we issued today or contact us directly.

The video of the disaster in Japan is heart-wrenching, and the people of Japan are in our thoughts today.

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PR Newswire’s Site SEO & the Impact of Google’s Farmer Update

Posted on March 8, 2011 by | 3 Comments

On February 24, Google announced a major update to its algorithm.  Nicknamed“Farmer,” the change was, according to the Google blog “…designed to reduce rankings for low-quality sites—sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful,” in other words, ‘content farms.’  In the same post, the company noted that the change should provide better rankings for higher quality sites, rewarding those that feature original content.

In the days following the change, Wired.com reported that Google is continuing to tweak the algorithm because of some unintended consequences of the Farmer change, quoting Google Fellow Amit Singhal:

“…Any time a good site gets a lower ranking or falsely gets caught by our algorithm — and that does happen once in a while even though all of our testing shows this change was very accurate — we make a note of it and go back the next day to work harder to bring it closer to 100 percent.”

“That’s exactly what we are going to do, and our engineers are working as we speak building a new layer on top of this algorithm to make it even more accurate than it is,” Singhal said.

The SEO blogs are full of speculation regarding the exactly what new or adjusted parameters Google is using in its algorithm. The high number of advertisements on pages, a lack of valuable content above the fold, the number of links from social media and social networks have all been raised as potential factors in the way Google is now ranking on its results pages.  In the Wired article linked to above Singhal describes how they asked external testers questions about what makes web sites valuable, and that the patterns in the testers’ responses have been codified within Google’s algorithm.  What is clear is that this was a major update for Google, and given their understandable reluctance to reveal details of how they rank sites in the search results pages it will be a while before its impact is better understood.

As reported elsewhere, PR Newswire’s own website traffic did take a hit on February 24th and is running at around 20% below levels from before the update, although some of this drop is cyclical as we have just come out of a busy U.S. earnings period.  Our Google Page rank has not altered, our ranking in Google News appears consistent with before the update, and traffic to our customers’ IR Rooms is  unchanged.  As you can see in the graph at the top of the page showing data from the independent analytics company Hitwise, PR Newswire is still generating considerably more search clicks that its competitors.  Maintaining high visibility for PR Newswire.com is something we take very seriously, and we’re in contact with Google regarding the drop.

If you’re interested in more information about the Farmer update (also called Panda by Google) here are links to some great posts trying to unpick the results.  We’re following the conversation closely, so if you have a view feel free to post it below and I’ll be glad to respond.

Related Links:

Google Farmer Update: Quest for Quality – Sistrix

The ‘Panda’ That Hates Farms: A Q&A With Google’s Top Search Engineers – Wired

What Google’s Crackdown on Content Farms Means to You

Google’s Panda/Farmer Update – What To Do About It – Distilled

Correlation Between Google Farmer Update and Social Media Buzz? – Zen

Author Rod Nicolson (@rodnic66) is PR Newswire’s VP of User Experience Design & Workflow.

UPDATE: The post has been updated to show the most recent search engine traffic. The original graph used in this post can be seen here.

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A bevy of December events – online, and in person

Posted on December 1, 2010 by | Leave a comment

We’re hosting and sponsoring a wide range of events in December, ranging from a fantastic virtual marketing event with BtoBOnline,  an in-depth webinar on ProfNetConnect, the Integrated Marketing Summit in Dallas and a session on digital convergence in Boston.   Here are the details – we hope to see you there!

Integrated Marketing Summit – Dallas

Gain actionable insights from top experts in both B-to-B and B-to-C markets. Featuring over 25 speakers from around the U.S., this event will cover timely topics in today’s communications landscape, including mobile marketing, integrated social media marketing, marketing automation and more!
PR Newswire is a proud sponsor of this event, which is brought to you by The Integrated Marketing Summit.

To obtain more information about this event, click here.

Thursday, Dec. 2

Where: Hyatt Regency Dallas,300 Reunion Blvd Dallas, TX 75207

Time: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM CT

Registration Fee: $299

Special Offer: Use promo code PRN10 to receive a 20% discount on the registration rate.

BtoB’s Digital Edge: A Virtual Tradeshow for Marketers

Thursday, Dec. 2

Time: 11:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM PT – 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT

PR Newswire is a proud sponsor of this virtual event, which is brought to you by BtoB Magazine.

About Digital Edge
Register today for the only virtual tradeshow dedicated to the best in digital strategies and tactics for B-to-B marketers. You’ll hear from a host of industry leaders, including keynotes by best-selling authors Chris Brogan & Gary Vaynerchuk.

Explore timely topics to help boost your marketing results, including:

  • Digital Marketing is Driving More of Everything in Marketing – How Do You Keep Up?
  • State of Virtual Events: Perception vs. Reality and the Future of Virtual Environments
  • The Secrets of B2B Twitter Success
  • Keys to Engagement: Building Dialogues Around Customer Insight and Highly Relevant Content
  • Content Marketing Strategies to Ignite Demand Generation Success

To obtain more information about this event, click here

ProfNet: Expert Connection & Influencer Engagement Made Simple – and Budget-Friendly

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Time: 10:00 AM Pacific, 11:00 AM Mountain, 12:00 PM Central, 1:00 PM Eastern
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes

Are you a communications professional looking to make each dollar count? Are you searching for ways to generate visibility for your organization or cause on a shoestring budget? Look no further. ProfNet, PR Newswire’s premier expert connection network, offers a number of opportunities to meet your communications needs.

From subscription options to the completely FREE ProfNet Connect – our recently launched, groundbreaking online community where experts, communicators, members of the media and key influencers gather for thoughtful interaction, ProfNet provides the tools you need to highlight your organization in a timely and effective manner.

Join PR Newswire for this complimentary webinar as we demonstrate the numerous ways in which ProfNet can help you elevate your exposure and build relationships with key influencers around the world.

Presenters:
Ted Skinner, Vice President, Data Intelligence, PR Newswire
Sandra Azzollini, Director, Online Content & Community, PR Newswire

To obtain more information about this event, click here.

Marketing Cloud Dreamforce Networking Event at SF MOMA

The Preeminent Party for Marketing and Sales @ Dreamforce Presented by the Marketing Cloud

Expose yourself to inspirational modern and contemporary art assembled from leading artists from around the world.

Experience the synergy of dynamic forward looking people, thought provoking design and art, and the pure energy that is the city of San Francisco.

Engage with top marketing and sales professionals who are combining industry best practices and leading edge technologies to drive lead generation and revenue.

Enter now to win a VIP trip to Dreamforce

PR Newswire is a proud sponsor of this event, which is brought to you by Marketing Cloud

Date: Wednesday, December 8

Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Location:San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (Just 1/2 a block from Dreamforce) 151 Third Streetm San Francisco, CA 94103

Hors d’œuvres and cocktails will be served. This event is open to all marketing & sales professionals even if you aren’t attending Dreamforce

The Convergence of Marketing & PR in a Digital Age – Boston

Today, we live in a hyper-fragmented world. The resulting challenge for communications professionals – regardless if you serve a marketing or public relations role – is to engage your audiences through multiple channels, anywhere in the world, 24/7. In today’s landscape, content equals both opportunity and currency. How can you help ensure that your content is effectively reaching target audiences on a comprehensive level?

Join PR Newswire for a complimentary breakfast as we discuss strategies to help you leverage multiple communications channels and drive engagement with your message.

Presenter:
Michael Pranikoff, Global Director – Emerging Media, PR Newswire

Date:
Thursday, December 9, 2010

Time:
Breakfast and Networking: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Presentation: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Location:
The Conference Center at Bentley
LaCava Center – Danielson Room (375)
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452

Click here to print a complimentary parking permit

Click here for directions

Cost:
Complimentary

Click here to register

Registration Deadline:
December 6, 2010

 

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Take a Pause, Reflect, Remember – The Spirit of Disclosure

Posted on November 1, 2010 by | 1 Comment

With October marking the 10th anniversary of RegFD, now is an appropriate time for everybody in the industry – communicators, IROs, CEOs, institutional investors, retail traders – to take a step back and consider the true value of this landmark legislation.

In a nutshell, RegFD is designed to ensure that all individuals, companies and investors, everywhere, no matter size of fund, geographic location or industry status have access to the same information at the same time and with the same degree of opportunity.  To borrow a phrase from the military, RegFD is meant to guarantee that “no one is left behind.”

It is a simple, direct, egalitarian concept that should be applauded at every turn.

Yet recently, in a select few but visible instances, the foundation upon which RegFD is built is coming under threat.  Under the auspices of “SEC interpretive guidance” and the notion that certain corporate websites may attract enough traffic to be perceived as a common meeting point, the best intentions of “full-and-fair disclosure” are being brushed aside in favor of the limited engagement and single-pronged disclosure associated with advisory releases and/or website only disclosure.

Plainly and simply, this practice contradicts the intent of Reg FD.  It limits engagement and creates an uneven playing field among investors. It makes life more difficult for the large majority of investors and for the media disrupting their workflow.  In most instances, it limits or delays pick up and opens the door for companies to engage in selective disclosure. While it very well may allow a company to comply with its legal obligations, it is not the right option for anybody who has any involvement with a publicly traded company on any level.

Sure, you may accuse PR Newswire of being biased because our business will be impacted if a large number of companies move towards web only disclosure.  And yes, part of our business is built on providing a proven, efficient system for disclosing material information to the widest possible audience.  That said, this part of our business accounts for less than 10% of our overall global revenues, and we have significant revenues relating to hosting and managing investor relations websites that benefits from web disclosure.  This issue is a lot bigger than PR Newswire or any of its competitive set.  An integrated approach to disclosure is the only way that a company can accomplish maximum engagement with its constituents and create a level playing field.  This can only be achieved through the use of push and pull tactics including a strong corporate website as well as press releases and other tools.

If you take a moment to reflect on RegFD and the spirit of disclosure, it becomes quickly apparent that the “solutions” being proposed today are not in the public’s best interests.

RegFD is about enhancing access.  Not limiting it.

RegFD is about ubiquity.  Not selectivity.

The Spirit of Disclosure is about being open and engaging.   Not restrictive.

The Spirit of Disclosure is about understanding the needs of the “man on the street.” Not just the “man in the suite.”

So, to the vast majority of investors, media, corporate communications professionals, attorneys and public executives who still recognize the immense value that full-and-fair disclosure provides, I ask you to celebrate ten years of improved disclosure due to RegFD and join me in ensuring that it remains as vital tomorrow as it is today.

Authored by Scott Mozarsky, chief commercial officer, PR Newswire

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Engaging Opportunity Everywhere

Posted on October 18, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Media and communications channels are more fragmented than ever before. They promise to grow more fragmented still.  Traditional, digital, social and consumer generated media, are in fact, splintering audiences.

This creates a three-fold need for marketers and communicators:  to reach audiences across all channels; to actively engage audiences, globally, 24/7/365; and to do so efficiently and seamlessly so that both budgets and results are optimized.

Content– richer content that is widely and contextually deployed– is what drives audience engagement and value exchange. Whether your audience is bloggers, the media, consumers, influencers, shareholders or all the above, content is the currency with which we do business in today’s communications landscape.

How is content defined? In my view, content is anything that tells a story with a purpose. Content may come in any number formats – traditional text news releases, multimedia releases, interactive video, dynamic websites, multimedia annual reports, multimedia sustainability reports, text and video white papers, video case studies, webinars, and many others.

What’s key though, is that content in the right format for a particular audience, that tells a story with a purpose, that appears in context, and that is delivered across all relevant channels and communities, inevitably drives engagement and action.

Websites, social networks, search engines and mobile devices equip our audiences to identify what they need – and fulfill those needs – immediately.  Engaging audiences at the “moment of need” is what generates results.

Of note, audiences today are incredibly fluid. Communications platforms multiply with staggering speed. Making sure you engage with your audiences, at every opportunity, wherever they may be found, is of paramount importance.

Whatever your particular flavor of communications may be – marketing, public relations, investor relations or corporate social responsibility – the challenge is to re-imagine communications.  The questions we must all ask and answer are:

  • How can we deliver richer, more activating provocative, more immersive and portable content that is delivered across all channels?
  • How can we engage audiences – and opportunities – everywhere?

I’m particularly interested in your answers. How are you using content to drive demand and engage opportunity? What types of content are you using?  Are you sharing content across communications disciplines?  How are you engaging with your audiences today?

I look forward to reading and responding to your posts.

Authored by Ninan Chacko, CEO, PR Newswire

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