17 December 2004

Unionized press release distribution service a Canadian first

Canadian Media Guild | TNG Canada Local 30213

The Canadian Press recently launched PR Direct, the country's first and only unionized press release distribution service. As a division of Canadian Press, the country's national news co-operative, PR Direct's employees are represented by the Canadian Media Guild.

Guild members who work in newsrooms should be aware of two things. Firstly, PR Direct (PRD) is available to you at your desktop at work either via the Web or over the CP and/or BN wires to help guide you in news coverage decisions in the same way as other press release services do. Although new, PRD has already gathered an impressive list of clients whose releases may contain information and contact data of interest to you.

Secondly, Guild members might belong to, or know of, a community organization or other group that could benefit from PRD's surprisingly cost-effective service. The system is structured so that releases can be targeted to media professionals across the country or in a single market with correspondingly affordable rates.

For more information on the service, visit www.PRDirect.ca.

This story first appeared on the Canadian Media Guild web site.