PR facts & stats

Question 1

What is "earned media"?

Accepted Answer

Coverage you gain without paying, such as a news story. Earned media is publicity gained through merit, such as news stories or reviews, rather than paid placement.

Question 2

What is a media kit (or press kit)?

Accepted Answer

A ready-made package of facts, bios, images and logos for journalists. A media kit gathers key materials like fact sheets, bios, photos and logos so journalists can cover you easily.

Question 3

Edward Bernays, often called a father of public relations, was a nephew of which famous thinker?

Accepted Answer

Sigmund Freud. Edward Bernays was a nephew of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and drew on psychology in his public relations work.

Question 4

In a press release, what is the "boilerplate"?

Accepted Answer

The standard "About" paragraph describing the organization. The boilerplate is a short, reusable paragraph near the end of a release that describes the organization.

Question 5

Which symbol is traditionally placed at the end of a press release to show it is finished?

Accepted Answer

###. Press releases traditionally end with ### (or -30-) centered below the text to signal the end of the release.

Question 6

Under AP style, how are most numbers written in general text?

Accepted Answer

Spell out one through nine; use figures for 10 and up. The Associated Press Stylebook generally spells out whole numbers one through nine and uses figures for 10 and above.

Question 7

Under AP style, which month is never abbreviated, even with a specific date?

Accepted Answer

May. AP style abbreviates Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. with dates, but always spells out March, April, May, June and July.

PR facts & stats

The basics