Reading advice about press releases is useful. Seeing one dissected is better. Below are ten press release example openings, each written for a different type of news, with a line-by-line explanation of what makes them work. The structures are the ones journalists see and pick up every day.
What every strong press release has in common
Before the examples, a quick reminder of the shared foundations. A good release leads with the news, answers who, what, when, where and why in the first paragraph, includes at least one quote that adds opinion rather than repeating facts, and ends with a boilerplate and clear contact details. Keep those in mind as you read.
Example 1: Product launch
Headline Example: Bristol Start-Up Launches Reusable Coffee Cup That Tracks Its Own Carbon Savings
Why it works: The headline names the place, the company type and the unique selling point in one line. The word “launches” signals news, and the specific detail (tracking carbon savings) gives a journalist something to write about.
Example 2: Funding announcement
Headline Example: Manchester Fintech Secures £2m to Expand Into European Markets
Why it works: The amount and the purpose both appear in the headline. Journalists covering business and finance want the figure first, and the growth plan tells them why it matters.
Example 3: New hire
Headline Example: Leeds Law Firm Appoints Former Regulator as Head of Compliance
Why it works: It leads with the person’s background, not just the job title. The “former regulator” detail is what makes trade media interested.
Example 4: Award win
Headline Example: Family-Run Bakery Named Best Independent Retailer in the Regional Business Awards
Why it works: The “family-run” angle adds a human story, and naming the award gives the release credibility. Always say who judged the award and how many entered if you can.
Example 5: Research and data
Headline Example: Survey Reveals Three in Five Small Businesses Plan to Increase Marketing Spend in 2027
Why it works: Data-led releases give journalists a headline number they can quote. Always include the sample size and method in the body so the figure can be trusted.
Example 6: Event announcement
Headline Example: Free Careers Fair for Young People Comes to Norwich This November
Why it works: Date, location and audience are clear immediately. The word “free” and the benefit to the community make it attractive to local media.
Example 7: Partnership
Headline Example: Housing Charity and Energy Supplier Team Up to Cut Bills for 500 Families
Why it works: Partnerships succeed when the outcome is concrete. The number of families gives the story scale and a measurable result.
Example 8: Charity campaign
Headline Example: Local Hospice Launches Winter Appeal to Fund Overnight Nursing Care
Why it works: The appeal names exactly what the money will do. Specific asks convert better than general requests for support.
Example 9: Milestone
Headline Example: Cardiff Engineering Firm Celebrates 25 Years With Apprenticeship Pledge
Why it works: An anniversary alone is rarely news, but pairing it with a forward-looking commitment turns it into a story.
Example 10: Rebrand
Headline Example: Northern Garden Centre Chain Unveils New Name After Merger of Three Family Businesses
Why it works: The reason for the change is in the headline. Rebrands without a reason read like advertising; rebrands with a story read like news.
Press Release Structure: Line by Line
The first paragraph should contain the news in plain English. The second paragraph adds context, such as why this is happening now. The third is usually a quote from a founder, director or customer that gives an opinion or emotion. Further paragraphs add supporting detail in descending order of importance, because editors cut from the bottom. Finish with an “About” section of roughly 50 words and a named contact.
Using these examples for your own releases, pick the example closest to your news and borrow the structure, not the words. Ask yourself what the specific detail is that makes your story different, then put it in the headline.
Get your own release written and distributed
If writing isn’t your strength or you’re simply juggling too much, PR Fire can help you write it, polish it and get it in front of the right journalists and publications. Let our expert team craft a professional, publish-ready release for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Press Release Examples
A good example leads with the news, uses specific details such as names, places and figures, and includes a quote that adds something new.
Use templates for structure only. Journalists can spot recycled wording, and original detail is what earns coverage.
Most press releases work best at around 300 to 700 words. Anything longer should have a strong reason, such as detailed research findings.
Yes. Good, high-resolution images with clear captions make it much easier for editors to publish your story.
A quote gives journalists something to attribute and brings a human voice to the story, so it’s highly recommended to include a quote in your press release.
PR Fire is a UK press release service that helps businesses write and distribute press releases. It offers distribution to a targeted list of journalists and media contacts for organic pickup, as well as other Digital PR options for businesses wanting coverage in relevant regional and national outlets.
You can submit your press release to PR Fire here. If you’d like to talk through your options first, you can book a discovery call to find out how PR Fire can support your brand.