NEWS: Medialink news releases cut across media barriers

VNR company Medialink launched what it called ‘the world’s first

multimedia news release’ this week, able to target newspapers, radio,

television and the Internet.

The new service, called UK Prime will enable Medialink clients to select

25 different packages to suit their target market and budget.

In addition to the production, distribution and monitoring of video news

releases, clients can supply tapes for specialist broadcast and

newspaper journalists, sound bites for radio as well as releases for the

World Wide Web.

The launch stems from research among 50 PR firms, in-house departments

and around 25 broadcasters earlier this year which revealed a growing

demand for multimedia planning in public relations campaigns.

Meanwhile Image.net, the on-line digital picture distribution system, is

offering PR agencies a service whereby it will download images to

national, regional newspapers and magazines across the United Kingdom.

For a charge of pounds 250 for a 10-day period agencies can reach

between 80-90 publications which pick up and use the images for free.

A similar service is offered by NEWSdesk, the Internet -based

distribution system, whereby images can be downloaded with text for a

monthly charge or one-off, month-long hit which will cost pounds 150.