Press Release Day

What Is Press Release Day?

October 28th is "Press Release Day" in Japan. It was established by PR TIMES, Inc., which operates the press release distribution service "PR TIMES," and was certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2021. Its purpose is to expand the possibilities of press releases, an essential tool of public relations.

The First Release from the "Father of Modern PR"

The date comes from October 28, 1906, when Ivy Lee (1877-1934), an American known as the "father of modern public relations," is said to have issued the world's first press release.

• Established by: PR TIMES, Inc.
• Origin of the date: Ivy Lee's release of the world's first press release on October 28, 1906
• What a press release is: information provided or announced to the news media; also called a news release
• Related event: the "Press Release Award," hosted by PR TIMES, is held around this date

The Original Meanings of "PR" and "Press"

PR stands for public relations: the work of building and maintaining good relationships between an organization and the public. Its core meaning is relationship-building, not mere advertising. "Press" originally meant newspapers or newspaper companies and came to mean the news media in general. Press releases were once sent by fax, mail, or handed out in person; today they are mostly distributed by email and online.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Read and compare press releases from your company or others you follow
• Practice writing with an eye on the headline and the first sentence
• Summarize your work results in words an outsider would understand
• Review your company newsletter or your team's communications

The Power to Communicate Builds Trust

Press releases connect organizations and society through accurate, clear information. October 28th is a day to think again about how you get your message across.