The major news release distribution services have done a great job of creating “feeds” into the websites of major news organizations. These feeds provide the illusion that the news websites have “published” or covered a news release because it was newsworthy. For better or worse, that’s not the case. Thanks to agreements the newswires have with these sites, just pay your money and your mediocre story can live happily on msnbc.com where, for a few days anyway, you can show-off your brilliant media relations triumph to unsuspecting superiors and clients alike. These “hits” provide you with some great “clips” for your electronic or printed collection of media relations “results.” Now just sit back as the kudos come pouring in. And all of this can be yours for ten clicks of your mouse and a few hundred dollars. What a deal!
