CCAG
News
Release
CONNECTICUT
CITIZEN ACTION GROUP . 2074 Park Street . Hartford, CT
06106
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Tuesday, March 15, 1990 Bruce Ballenger
527-7191
CCAG
RELEASES NEWS RELEASE ON NEWS RELEASE
A statewide citizen organization today made public a sample news release, calling it "an invaluable guide" to newswriting formats for publicists in non-profit organizations.
A spokesperson for the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) admitted that the press announcement was unusual for the organization, which had made a name for itself with hard-hitting attacks on utility companies and public officials. But the group decided to issue the statement anyway, citing the need to promote better press release writing among citizen activists.
"This is a good place for a quote, in the third paragraph of your release," said CCAG spokesperson Bruce Ballenger. "It should be hard-hitting and pithy, elaborating on the main point in your lead paragraph."
The release, which imitates the style and format of an actual news announcement, contains nothing newsworthy. The release was designed to be a teaching aid for his workshops, Ballenger said.
According to Ballenger, many press releases are rejected by the news media because "they just don't look right." Most reporters are intolerant of any format innovations and will ignore even a newsworthy press release that strays from the norms, he said.
"This is a good place for another quote," Ballenger said. "Use it to add some color to the secondary point of the release, or stick in anew spokesperson saying the same thing differently."
The Connecticut Citizens Action group, a statewide citizen organization with over 13,000 members, was founded in 1971 and has local chapters in ten Connecticut communities.
CCAG
20th Anniversary Celebration
1970-1990
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ORGANIZING TO PUT PEOPLE FIRST