News Release Sample: An example of a news

release written for a mock pharmaceutical

company announcing a cure for West Nile
Virus.

KINGSFORD PHARMACEUTICALS
2600 Eastern Beltway
Dallas, Texas 75225
214-668-9234
214-668-2349 FAX

Feb. 28, 2015

Madeleine Leahu
Public Relations Director
214-668-9234
mleahu@kingsford.com

Kingsford Pharmaceuticals announces breakthrough West Nile Virus treatment

DALLAS Kingsford Pharmaceuticals announced today a medical breakthrough for
treating West Nile Virus. The medication, taken within just two weeks of the virus diagnosis,
cures the patient by eliminating all traces of the infection from the human body.
This past year, Kingsford hired several top research scientists who contributed to the
development of the tablet, X23. While the medication has yet to be approved by the Food and
Drug Administration before it can be sold to the public, Kingsford is proud to present its
breakthrough discovery to the public.
This medication will have profound implications on human health, CEO Roberta CruzSuarez said.
FDA testing for X23 is scheduled to begin in two weeks.
X23 has the potential to save thousands of lives, said Cruz-Suarez. We are confident
of securing FDA approval quickly so that we can get X23 into the hands of doctors and nurses all
over the world who will partner with us in the fight against West Nile Virus.
Kingsford is dedicated to continue the development of medical breakthroughs and the
most advanced treatments for patients. Healthy living is of the utmost importance to the research
scientists who have focused their lives on relieving others of their suffering.

News Release Sample: An example of a news

release written for a mock real estate firm
announcing a new company president.

BELLESTAR PROPERTIES LIMITED

15 State Street
Atlanta, GA 33033
401-789-3000
401-789-4611 FAX

March 15, 2015

Madeleine Leahu
Public Relation Director
410-789-3000
mleahu@bellestar.com

Bellestar Properties Limited names California local as new president

ATLANTA, Ga. The Bellestar Board of Directors has named Harvey Wilson, a
Southern California native, as the new president of Bellestar Properties. Bellestar owns three
properties in Southern California including the Irvine Dental Center, Costa Mesa Town Square
Offices, and the Bell Tower Offices in Hemet.
Wilson, 52, earned a B.S. in accounting from University of California, Riverside and a
M.B.A. from Stanford University. For seven years, Wilson served as executive vice president at
Knox International. Before that, he was the chief financial officer of several commercial
construction companies and a developer of suburban shopping malls. He is also a member of the
National Accounting Association and the Illinois Business Roundtable (an organization of
business executives). Wilson is married and father of two adult children.
Wilson succeeds Adam Smith, who announced in December his retirement effective
today, March 15. Smith served as Bellestars president for 15 years.
Bellestar Properties is dedicated to professionalism and serving clients with the utmost
respect. This firm offers diversity and innovation to the commercial real estate industry. Bellestar
agents are experts in market knowledge, negotiating skills, and effective communication with
clients.

Employee Letter Sample: An example of an

employee letter written for a mock company
addressing a specific employees concern.

June 26, 2015

Dear Jose and Bob,

Congratulations on your recent marriage! Thank you for submitting your
wedding announcement and photo to be featured in our company newsletter.
We would be happy to publish your wedding announcement in the upcoming
issue.
While the company owner does not object to publishing wedding photos
alongside an announcement, publishing photos that show public displays of
affection are prohibited. Unfortunately the photo you submitted falls under
this restriction and we cannot publish it at this time.
If you would like to submit a different photo, it would be our pleasure to
feature one that complies with our company guidelines. We certainly do not
discriminate against race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Again, thank you for your interest in our company newsletter and we look
forward to publishing your wedding announcement next month.
Sincerely,

Madeleine Leahu
Madeleine Leahu
Public Relations Director

Business Memo Sample: An example of a

business memo addressing certain legal
concerns regarding a case study for a mock
company.

To:

Dr. Swanson

From:

Madeleine Lengyel-Leahu

Subject:

Piney Woods Lumber Company (Case Study)

Date:

June 12, 2015

While the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a citizens right to privacy, communication law
does protect some areas of privacy. Matt Martinez, a Piney Woods Lumber Company employee,
filed a lawsuit against the company, Bob Burruss, and Jim Haskins under invasion of privacy and
publication of private facts. An article was published in the employee newspaper revealing
Martinezs previous alcohol problems, including his DUI and manslaughter conviction.
Martinez may feel illegal action was taken because his private information was obtained under
false pretenses. Previous articles published in the Piney Woods employee newspaper all
portrayed the subject employee by expressing their current interests and activities in a positive
light. This was not the case for Martinez.
Why Martinez filed a lawsuit
Both Burruss and Haskins encouraged the interviewed workers to speak openly and honestly by
assuring them confidentiality. Martinez relied upon this agreement, and therefore willingly
shared information that he would not have shared otherwise. Martinez gave consent to publish
the article under the pretense that his private information would remain private. Failure to uphold
this agreement ultimately resulted in a breach of contract.
Arguments for Martinezs lawsuit
Martinezs reason to sue would be to compensate for injuries he suffers to his reputation. The
stigma attached to being identified as a homicidal drunk is self-evident and would likely be
described as defamation. However, truth is an absolute defense in such cases. There were no
untrue statements published in the article.
Publication of private facts involves the disclosure of information that isnt newsworthy or part
of any public record. While Martinezs manslaughter conviction was found on file, it was found
on a personnel file, not on public record. It is possible that his criminal record could have been in
the public domain, but this was not made known in the case study.
Arguments against Martinezs lawsuit
Martinez will face many hurdles in his lawsuit. Any action for defamation will necessarily be
precluded by the proof that the article is in fact true. It can be argued that the article did not cause
injury to reputation as the article indeed praised his hard work and diligence to remaining sober
and moving forward. The article placed emphasis on Martinezs dedication to his job and his
exemplary skills at Piney Woods Lumber Company. Additionally, witnesses who read the article
and experienced the dramatic increase in productivity at Piney Woods could testify that they
actually think better of Matt because of the article.
Piney Woods Lumber Company could defend itself on the grounds that they could not be liable
for untrue statements. They did not commit intrusion, nor did they aid in appropriation. The
information included in the article was shared by Martinez and he granted permission to publish
the article in writing.

Illegal vs. unethical

Burruss and Haskins do not appear to have violated any law. They published a story that is
verifiably true based upon information obtained from the subject of the story that he had
previously disclosed in his personnel file.
Ethically, Burruss and Haskins could have been more forthcoming on what exactly was included
in the article about Martinezs personal life, but I dont think they could be liable as individuals.
What they published was not malicious in intent, nor was there any publication of untrue
statements.
Future course of action
The question management needs to ask is what is the purpose of writing this article and does
this article fulfill that purpose? In this case study, the answer is clearly no because Martinez feels
violated and litigation has been initiated.
As the public relations specialist, I would encourage writers to value the ethics code of conduct.
When an interviewer promises an interviewee confidentiality, and then wants to publish the
information shared, the interviewer should seek out specific permission to publish that work.
Giving Martinez the final edit on the story and having him sign a waiver would have, legally and
ethically, eliminated the opportunity of a negative outcome.