5 Great Press Release Examples and What Makes Them Work

Hey - so you need to write a press release. You've got news to share, but you want to make sure it actually gets read and picked up.

A good press release isn’t just about slapping together a few sentences and calling it a day. It needs to catch attention, deliver value, and make it easy for journalists and readers to care.

Let’s break down the five key things that make a press release worth reading. Once we’ve covered that, we’ll look at real examples that nail these points.

What Makes a Good Press Release

#1 Newsworthy Content

Let’s be honest—sometimes you don't need a press release at all. To get attention, you need something meaningful, something people would actually want to read.

So, what makes something newsworthy? Your announcement should be:

• Timely: It's happening now or very soon.
• Relevant: It matters to your audience, industry or community.
• Impactful: It creates change, solves a problem, or offers something meaningful.

It could be a product launch that solves a specific issue, a partnership that opens new opportunities, fresh data or research that reveals important industry insights and so on.

Tip: Ask yourself, “Would I find this interesting if I didn’t work here?” If not, it might be worth revisiting your message or holding off until you have something stronger.

#2 Strong Headline

The headline is your first (and sometimes only) shot at grabbing attention. If it doesn’t land, the reader won’t bother with the rest. But don’t fall into the trap of overhyping—it’s about being clear and direct.

A strong headline is short, the the point, and specific with what’s new. It gives readers just enough to want to know more.

Tips for writing concise, compelling headlines:

• Keep it under 80 characters
• Focus on the main point of your news.
• Use active verbs.
• Be specific about what’s new or different
• Add numbers or data if it makes sense.

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

• Bad: "Company X Announces Exciting Update"
• Good: “Company X Introduces AI Tool to Speed Up Small Business Hiring.”

The first headline is vague—it doesn’t tell you anything. The second shows exactly what’s new and why it matters.

#3 Clear Structure

Press releases have a standard format, and it’s important to stick to it. When you stray from this structure, it can make your news harder to digest and leave a poor impression.

Journalists, who often skim press releases, rely on this format to quickly locate key information and decide if they want to cover the story. If they can't find what they need fast, your chances of getting picked up drop.

The standard format follows the inverted pyramid:

• Lead Paragraph: Cover who, what, when, where, why, and how.
• Body: Add supporting details, stats, or context to give more depth.
• CTA: Close with a clear action step, like visiting a website or contacting you.

To keep it readable, use short paragraphs (three sentences max) and break up the text with subheadings or bullet points. A clean, simple structure ensures your message gets across quickly.

#4 Quotes That Add Value

Quotes add personality and credibility to your press release. They're particularly powerful when they come from key people involved—like executives or project leads.

Strong quotes should:

• Offer unique insights or context.
• Highlight the significance of the news.
• Bring a relatable, human touch to the story.

Here’s the difference:

• Bad: “We are thrilled to launch this product.”
• Good: “This product addresses a major challenge small businesses face—hiring efficiently. Our goal is to help them save time and focus on growth.”

Journalists often pull quotes directly into their stories, so give them something worth using.

#5 Know Your Readers

Your press release needs to speak directly to your readers. One release can't work for everyone, so pick your audience and stick to it.

Think about it like crafting a conversation. If you’re talking to journalists, you’d give them a quick, newsworthy hook and a strong angle they can work with. Customers? You’d focus on how your announcement helps them. Stakeholders? They’d want to see the bigger picture and long-term impact.

For example:

If you’re launching a community event, focus on what makes it exciting for locals. Write something like:

• “This event is open to everyone and features free workshops, live music, and plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbors.”

On the other hand, if the same event is being pitched to potential sponsors, the focus shifts:

• “This event is expected to draw over 2,000 attendees, offering sponsors significant exposure and engagement opportunities.”

When you focus on what your specific readers need, they're much more likely to pay attention.

Now let's see how these elements work in real press releases. While no release is perfect, these examples show how to effectively use these key points to grab attention and deliver value.

Examples of Good Press Releases

1. Press Release Example #1
2. Press Release Example #2
3. Press Release Example #3
4. Press Release Example #4
5. Press Release Example #5

Press Release Example #1: Alex Gorsky Joins Apple’s Board of Directors

This press release hits the following criteria:

• Newsworthy Content: ✔
• Strong Headline: ✔
• Clear Structure: ✔
• Credible Quotes: ✔
• Audience Focus: ✔

This press release nails all five criteria through smart choices in its content and structure.

The newsworthy content is clear - a major executive joining Apple's board. It's significant because Alex Gorsky brings healthcare technology expertise to Apple as the leader of Johnson & Johnson, the world's largest healthcare company. This strategic addition signals Apple's continued push into health technology.

The headline does exactly what it needs to - it's direct, clear, and gets straight to the point in just seven words. No fluff, just the key information that matters.

The structure follows the classic format perfectly. The first paragraph gives us all the essential details - who (Alex Gorsky), what (joining Apple's board), where (Apple in Cupertino), and why (bringing healthcare tech expertise). The following paragraphs build out with supporting details about Gorsky's experience, and it wraps up with relevant background information.

The quotes really shine here. Instead of generic excitement, they offer substance:

• Tim Cook highlights Gorsky's "insight, experience, and passion for technology"
• Arthur Levinson highlights Gorsky's work with advanced healthcare technologies
• Gorsky himself connects his experience to Apple's mission of using technology to improve lives

The release stays focused on its core audience - investors and business media. It provides the kind of specific details these readers want: Gorsky's leadership of a 130,000-person team, his role in making Johnson & Johnson a healthcare tech innovator, and his relevant board experience at companies like IBM. Every detail builds credibility and shows why this appointment matters from a business perspective.

Press Release Example #2: Contigo Mobility Launches Electric Motorcycle Ridesharing in London - CoMoTo

This press release hits the following criteria:

• Newsworthy Content: ✔
• Strong Headline: ✔
• Clear Structure: ✔
• Credible Quotes: Partially
• Audience Focus: ✔

This release shows strong work in most areas, with room for better quotes.

The news combines several interesting elements: a successful Southeast Asian company starts electric motorcycle sharing in London. It brings together international growth, sustainable transport, and innovation in a major city.

The headline is specific and informative. It immediately tells readers what's new (electric motorcycle ridesharing), who's doing it (Contigo Mobility), where (London), and includes the brand name (CoMoTo). This makes it easy for journalists and readers to grasp the story quickly.

The structure flows naturally. First comes the main announcement, then launch details, service features, and context about European growth plans. Bullet points make key features easy to spot.

The quotes fall a bit short. While CEO Zuhri Yusof's quote mentions "greener cities" and "sustainable mobility," it stays general and could add more specific insights about why London was chosen or how this service specifically meets local transportation needs.

The audience focus is strong throughout. For business and technology media, it provides market expansion details and technical specifics. For potential users, it explains practical benefits like easy booking and competitive pricing. For sustainability-focused readers, it connects to London's environmental goals and zero-emission benefits.

The release wraps up effectively with clear next steps (website link) and complete company information, making it easy for journalists to follow up.

Press Release Example #3: Veroshave Launches 7D Head Shaver to Redefine Grooming for Bald Men

This press release hits the following criteria:

• Newsworthy Content: ✔
• Strong Headline: ✔
• Clear Structure: ✔
• Credible Quotes: ✔
• Audience Focus: ✔

This press release excels in all five criteria, showing how to communicate a product launch effectively.

The newsworthy content is solid: a new shaver specifically designed for bald men, backed by 40 patents and a decade of development. The release establishes market significance by highlighting an underserved customer need and explaining how this product fills it.

The headline works perfectly in 11 words. It tells you what's new (7D Head Shaver), who's launching it (Veroshave), and who it's for (bald men). The summary adds context without getting wordy.

The structure flows naturally from announcement to details to market context. It starts with the core news, then builds out with product features, customer benefits, and company background. Each paragraph logically connects to the next, making it easy to follow the story.

The quotes add real value by mixing insight with specific details:

• CEO Ian Golan explains the market gap: "the shaving industry has overlooked the unique needs of bald men"
• He provides technical context about materials and skin sensitivity
• An early user offers social proof: "This is the best head shaver I've ever used"

The audience focus stays sharp throughout. For bald men (the end users), it emphasizes practical benefits like skin protection, battery life, and ease of use. For retailers and industry watchers, it includes market context and patent information. For journalists, it provides clear facts, figures, and quotable material.

The release also smartly includes proof points that build credibility:

• 40 patents
• 10 years of development
• Specific features like hypoallergenic materials
• Clear explanations of how each feature benefits users

Press Release Example #4: SurgeGraph Unveils 2024 Wrapped: A Year of Transformative Content Creation and SEO Milestones

This press release hits the following criteria:

• Newsworthy Content: ✔
• Strong Headline: ✔
• Clear Structure: ✔
• Credible Quotes: Partially
• Audience Focus: ✔

This press release shows strong execution in most areas, with particularly effective use of data, though its quotes could be stronger.

The news grabs attention with impressive numbers: 500 years worth of writing completed, 1.5 million hours saved, and over 100,000 articles optimized. These numbers tell a story of significant impact in the content creation space.

The headline captures attention by playing on the familiar concept of annual "wrapped" reports (like Spotify Wrapped) while clearly stating what the news is about.

The structure shines through smart organization. It leads with the announcement, then breaks down achievements into clear bullet points. The format makes it easy to scan and digest key information quickly. The bullet points present data clearly, and each statistic builds on the previous one to show the company's impact.

The quotes need work. While Sara mentions "creativity, innovation, and impact," the quote stays general and misses the opportunity to provide unique insights about specific achievements or future plans. Adding quotes from users or more specific commentary about trends they've observed would strengthen this section.

The audience focus is clear throughout. For potential users, it showcases the tool's capabilities through concrete results. For current users, it celebrates their collective achievements. For industry observers, it provides specific metrics that demonstrate the platform's growth and impact.

The release also smartly includes:

• Specific, memorable statistics
• Clear categorization of different types of achievements
• A teaser of future features to maintain interest
• Comprehensive company information for follow-up

Press Release Example #5: Kazuto to Host His First-Ever Fan Meet in Singapore | January 11, 2025

This press release hits the following criteria:

• Newsworthy Content: ✔
• Strong Headline: ✔
• Clear Structure: ✔
• Credible Quotes: ✔
• Audience Focus: ✔

This press release demonstrates strong organization and audience focus, though it lacks credible quotes that could add personality to the announcement.

The newsworthy content connects well–it announces the first Singapore fan meet for Kazuto, a popular personality from a reality dating show. The timing works perfectly, giving fans enough notice to plan while maintaining urgency through early-bird pricing.

The headline is straightforward and informative. It tells you who (Kazuto), what (first fan meet), where (Singapore), and when (January 11, 2025). The bar symbol (|) cleanly separates the date information.

The structure follows a logical format, starting with the core announcement and expanding into specific details. It organizes key information clearly:

• Event basics (date, time, location)
• Ticket categories and pricing
• Sale dates and deadlines
• Organizational partners
• Biographical information

The release notably lacks quotes. Including comments from Kazuto could add personality and excitement to the announcement. For example: “Meeting my fans in Singapore has always been a dream,” said Kazuto. “This event is a chance for us to connect beyond the screen, and I can’t wait to share this special experience with everyone.”

The audience focus stands out as particularly strong. For fans, it provides all essential details:

• Three clear ticket tiers with specific benefits
• Exact timing for ticket sales
• Clear pricing information
• Detailed event inclusions
• Social media handles for updates

Putting It All Together

Looking through these examples, you can see how the five key elements work together to create press releases that get results:

• Newsworthy content grabs attention by solving real problems or creating meaningful change
• Strong headlines tell readers exactly what's new in a way that makes them want to learn more
• Clear structure helps journalists and readers find the information they need quickly
• Valuable quotes add personality and expert insight instead of generic excitement
• Sharp audience focus ensures your message connects with the people you want to reach

The best press releases don't try to please everyone. They pick their audience and serve that audience well. They lead with what's new and important. They back claims with specifics. And they make it easy for readers to take the next step.

Want to see how other companies handle different types of announcements? Our collection of press release examples shows these elements in action across product launches, partnerships, research findings, and company milestones.

Take these principles, adapt them to your news, and create press releases that make people want to learn more.