Welcome to another issue of Power Lines. In this issue, we’ll share the results from our 2009 survey of over 200 journalists. We have some interesting information about their press release preferences and how new media is changing how they research, write and publish stories.  We’ll also share some info on some recent successful projects we’ve enjoyed working on.

Happy reading and, as always, get in touch if you want to chat. Cheers!

Once again, PWR has conducted our annual survey of journalists to learn more about their news release preferences, how they’re using new media and the state of the newsroom.  Two-hundred and fifteen journalists participated from all media types (although with a very high percentage from print).  We asked about how they wanted to receive releases and what they wanted with them. We also included an open-ended question about news release preferences.

To learn more about what they said, click here.

This year, we wanted to learn more about how journalists are using new media, how it has changed the way they research and write stories, as well as how new mediums have been added to their responsibilities.  

One of the interesting things we learned—with repercussions for how PR professionals communicate with, and provide assets to, journalists—is that roughly 60% of journalists say they now contribute to a blog or other on-line site. Thirty-nine percent of our respondents said they acquired these responsibilities in the past year and 71% added on-line work to their duties in the past two years.

To learn more about journalists' attitudes toward New Media usage, click here.

We enjoy working with so many interesting clients—PR firms, non-profits, and small businesses—on New Media Releases. But did you know we also do newsrooms, websites, EPKs, flash reports, evites, e-newsletters and more? Here are a few recent projects we’ve enjoyed working on.

The Chicago Canine Club had big goals but a small budget. They needed a website that would help blend their conservative branding with the color and vibrancy of their location and express their love of dogs without breaking the bank. PWR came up with a plan, designing a site that married the country-club style branding with the colorful and energetic feel of their doggie daycare, working within their budget constraints to spread their dollars and give this dog-loving non-profit real bang for their buck. Now, their tails are wagging and their business is booming!

To see additional Case Studies, click here.