Contest tips - Public Relations Release Writing

TIPA Rules
Public Relations Release Writing
Writing deadline is one hour.

Contestants may encounter any of the following or combinations: witness a presentation,
event, activity, be presented a hypothetical situation or work with pre-printed materials.

Information sheets will be presented. Contest entries (including layouts, copy, concepts, artwork, etc.) become the property of TIPA. The press release is to be written from the perspective of the individual,company or organization as the client.

Criteria: Lead, story organization, objectivity and balance, use of quotes, identification and attribution, accuracy, readability, length (not wordy), timeliness, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.

Materials needed : Writing contests may be on either computer (laptop or portable computer with USB) or hand written in blue or black ink. Contestants may use tape recorders with earphones only. Contestants must provide note pad and writing instrument for taking notes. AP Stylebooks, thesaurus and dictionaries may be used.

TIPA 2009 Winning Entries

1st Place
PR Release Writing
By Anne Boyd
Austin Community College

Effective immediately, Johnny Toler is the new head of purchasing for Mountain East Medical Center.
Toler replaces John Doe who leaves to pursue an opportunity with the City Memorial Hospital District in Chicago.
Toler began his tenure at the hospital 15 years ago as a druggist but took a purchasing position in 2000.
“I learned from a fine man,” Toler said speaking of his former boss, “and I hope I can continue to build on the foundation he established.”
Doe is a 34‐year veteran of the hospital who is well respected by his colleagues for his dedication and willingness to make tough decisions. Toler is expected to continue that legacy.
“John’s abilities will be greatly missed a this hospital,” administrator Harry Illscott said, “but I know that Johnny Toler is a person we can all depend on to do whatever is necessary to keep his department going.”


2nd Place
PR Release Writing
By Christy Grant
UTTyler

Mountain East Medical Center names new purchasing department head Acme, Texas – Mountain East Medical Center’s assistant head of the purchasing department, Johnny Toler, will replace department head John Doe, who resigned today.
Doe graduates from Idaho State University School of Hospital Administration in 1981 and has worked for MCME since 1985. Doe will join City Memorial Hospital District in Chicago as purchasing agent.
“John’s abilities will be greatly missed at this hospital, but I know that Johnny Toler is a person we can all depend on to do whatever is necessary to keep his department going. I have great faith in him and in this hospital,” hospital administrator Harry Illscott said.
Toler started as an assistant druggist in the MCME pharmacy in 1994 and has worked in the purchasing department since 2000. Toler’s wife, Carolyn, heads the hospital’s gynecology department.
“This hospital means a great deal to me and my family, and I will give my best efforts to making our purchasing department the best. I learned from a fine man – John Doe – and I hope I can continue to build on the foundation he established,” Toler said.


3rd Place
PR Release Writing
By Juliana Sosa
UTBrownsville

For immediate release:
Aceme, Texas‐(April 9, 2009)‐Johnny Toler has been named the new head of the purchasing department for Mountain East Medical Center, after former head, John Doe, announced his resignation Thursday.
Doe was a 1981 graduate of Idaho State University School of Hospital Administration and began working for MEMC in 1985 after working for a small rural Idaho community hospital as purchasing chief. Despite recent criticism from medical staff, MEMC hospital administrator Harry Illscott said he will be missed.
“John’s capabilities will be greatly missed at this hospital, but I know that Johnny Toler is a person we can all depend on to do whatever is necessary to keep his department going,” said Illscott. “I have great faith in him and in this hospital.”
Toler has a strong background in pharmaceuticals. He began as an assistant druggist in the hospital pharmacy 15 years ago and was moved to the purchasing department in 2000 as an assistant after the hospital pharmacy closed. Toler’s wife, Carolyn, is head of the gynecology department at MEMC and the couple have five beautiful children.
“This hospital mean a great deal to me and my family, and I will give my best efforts to making our purchasing department the best,” Toler said. “I learned from a fine man ‐John Doe‐ and I hope I can continue to build on the foundation he established.”
Mountain East Medical Center is a local private hospital who serves the community of Acme, Texas. MEMC’s mission is to provide the best medical treatment for the community and improve the quality of life among Acme residents. MEMC has a wonderful full‐time staff of 500, who are dedicated to their work and the community.
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