What Is a Press Release Boilerplate? Definition, Examples and Tips
Press releases seem straightforward, but when you take a closer look, there’s a lot to master to ensure that your announcement gets the media coverage it deserves. This article will take a deeper dive into one of the most important, yet often overlooked parts of a press release: the boilerplate.
What Is a Press Release Boilerplate?
A press release boilerplate is a standardised paragraph at the end of a press release that provides key information about your organisation. It includes a brief company overview, mission statement, core products or services and contact information. The boilerplate provides journalists and readers with important context and information that can help them determine whether your announcement is relevant to their audience. It should be included as part of every press release and incorporated into all of your press release templates.
Why Do You Need Company Boilerplate in a Press Release?
Press release boilerplate seems so simple, you may be wondering why you need it at all. Some organisations do skip this section in their press releases, but we don’t recommend this. The boilerplate actually serves several important purposes.
Share Your Values
Including company values in your press release boilerplate showcases your mission, vision, core principles and commitment to philanthropy and social causes. Sharing your values not only humanises your organisation but also helps build a connection with your audience, fostering trust and loyalty among journalists, customers and investors.
Provide Contact Details
A news release boilerplate typically concludes with the contact details of your media or public relations representative. This makes it easy for journalists and interested parties to reach out for more details, request interviews or ask follow-up questions, which can make them more likely to cover your story.
What’s Included in a Press Release Boilerplate?
A press release boilerplate is essential—but what exactly is it? Let’s break down what a boilerplate in a press release is by section, so you can ensure yours is professional and effective.
Company Overview
The company overview is a brief introduction to your organisation that summarises its history, industry and key activities. This section typically includes the official company name, founding year, major milestones and a snapshot of the products or services you offer, helping the reader quickly understand who your organisation is.
Mission and Vision
This section helps you connect with journalists and customers by speaking to shared values. Your mission statement explains your organisation's purpose and the core goals it strives to achieve. The vision statement outlines your long-term goal and the impact you want to make, such as a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction or sustainability. Make sure to avoid industry jargon in this section of your boilerplate.
Key Achievements
Highlighting key achievements helps establish credibility and demonstrates a successful track record, enhancing your reputation. This section might include awards, recognitions, major projects, significant partnerships or milestones such as reaching a certain number of customers or revenue goals.
Keywords
Although your press release boilerplate has a very small impact on your search engine rankings, if you can include relevant keywords in a way that makes the boilerplate more descriptive, it makes sense to do so.
Press Release Boilerplate Examples
One of the best ways to understand the purpose and meaning of a press release boilerplate is to look at real-life examples. We looked through some of PR Newswire’s releases to find the best examples of boilerplate in press releases.
AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends, and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximising quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,900 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has been a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit www.acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.
Timex Group
Timex Group designs, manufactures and markets innovative timepieces around the world. Timex Group is a privately-held company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut with multiple operating units and over 3,000 employees worldwide. As one of the largest watch makers in the world, Timex Group companies produce watches under a number of world class brands, including Timex, adidas, Ferragamo, Furla, Gc, Guess, Missoni, Nautica, Philipp Plein, Plein Sport, Ted Baker and Versace.
Join Timex on social media: @timex
BLACK ENTERPRISE
Founded in 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE is a mission-centric publication focused on providing relevant information for success-minded people at every stage of their financial journey. Designed to highlight Black leadership and entrepreneurial journeys, BLACK ENTERPRISE reaches its audience through its events and linear and digital channels. BLACK ENTERPRISE aims to be a fountain of knowledge on how to achieve financial success. To learn more about the company, please visit blackenterprise.com and follow us on social media across Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Facebook.
Get Your Press Release Boilerplate Noticed
While answering the question “What is a boilerplate in a news release?” is important, PR professionals like you need to master all parts of a press release in order to get your news noticed. When you distribute press releases with PR Newswire, our editorial team will fix grammatical mistakes, implement search engine optimisation best practices and ensure every element follows best practices. Start sending press releases with us today and stop worrying about your press release boilerplate copy.
FAQs About Press Release Boilerplate
What is the purpose of a press release boilerplate?
The purpose of a press release boilerplate is to provide a concise, standardised overview of the company. It offers essential background information, establishing credibility and context for the announcement. This section ensures that readers, especially journalists, quickly grasp the company’s identity, mission and core achievements.
How long should a press release boilerplate be?
A press release boilerplate should be around 100 words long. It needs to be concise yet informative, summarising key details about the company without overwhelming the reader. Keeping it brief ensures that the press release remains focused and that journalists can quickly gather necessary background information.
Where does the boilerplate go on a press release?
The boilerplate goes at the end of a press release. Placing it here ensures that readers receive all the detailed news content first. The press release boilerplate then provides essential background context, making it easy for journalists to understand the company’s role and significance..
Creating an eye-catching press release involves more than a good boilerplate. To boost your chances of getting your story covered, use captivating headlines, incorporate multimedia elements, include data points, and craft persuasive calls to action. For more in-depth advice, download our Definitive Guide to Writing an Engaging Press Release.