Submit News Release

A good news release is a concise, complete description that informs and invites interest.

Common News Release Topics

  1. Upcoming public events, exhibits, etc.
  2. Important staff changes
  3. New programs
  4. Changes in existing programs
  5. Awards, achievements and appointments
  6. Research, ongoing or completed
  7. Community outreach efforts
  8. Exceptional students, faculty and staff
  9. Unique programs, skills, achievements, etc.

How to Submit Information

If you have a story idea or would like to submit information for possible release please contact our staff (785) 864-3256.

You can send us releases by:

  1. Email. Either to a specific staff person or kunews@ku.edu.
  2. Fax to (785) 864-3339.
  3. Campus mail. (Allow several days for delivery.)

Always include your name and phone number so we can contact you.

Hometown News about students:

If your information includes the name of a KU student, we may need the 7-digit student ID number. If so, we will contact you. Please do not e-mail that information. If your news includes several students, University Relations has an SFTP server available for secure transmission of student data.

We will place the article in the student's hometown newspaper.

For more information, contact Mary Jane Dunlap at (785) 864-8853 or mjdunlap@ku.edu.

Some Tips for Writing Press Releases

  • Keep releases short.
  • Write clearly, addressing who, what, where, why and when in the first two paragraphs.
  • Identify a contact person (with a daytime phone number) who can answer questions.
  • Date the release and include whether the material is for immediate use or for release at a later date.

Common Press Release Mistakes

  • Providing insufficient and inaccurate information. To be useful, releases must be complete, correct and specific.
  • Omission of the name and phone number of someone editors can contact with questions.
  • Writing releases that are too long.
  • Submitting a release too late.

Photographs and Video Tape

Generally, newspapers will not use submitted photographs, unless they are simple portraits.

It is often more productive to make people or a location available for the media to take their own photographs.

Group shots are never used in major media. Small local newspapers may use a group shot if a local person is clearly identified in the picture.

TV stations occasionally will use submitted video tape.