System and method for structured news release generation and distribution

[0002] The present invention relates to systems and methods for structured generation and distribution of news releases, including over networks and particularly the Internet.

[0003] The prior art is familiar with applications available over the World Wide Web for providing an individual with news stories that have been automatically selected according to pre-specified criteria. On the other hand, the preparation of news stories and, more particularly, of news releases, is generally an operation that involves human effort of a kind that has not significantly changed in decades. While there are aids, such as word processing programs, that can be invoked to speed the motion of words selected by the writer onto a text-storing medium such as paper, the actual selection of the words in a news release usually involves the same exercise of creative effort and editorial judgment that has been required since the format of a news release was first developed. Indeed, part of the difficulty in writing a news release involves developing a suitable approach to the whatever happens to be the subject of the release. In this sense, a typical prior art news release is friendly neither to the creator, owing to the work involved in creating the news release, nor to the reader, owing to the effort involved in gleaning information from it.

[0004] It is not surprising, therefore, that the writing of news releases is usually left to specialists in marketing and public relations departments of businesses or to independent public relations consultants.

[0005] In a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for the structured generation of a news release. The method of this embodiment includes:

[0006] a. separately specifying content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

[0007] b. storing, in a digital storage medium, the content specified for each of the sections; and

[0008] c. assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format.

[0009] In this connection, in a further embodiment, specifying the content includes providing responses via a set of templates. Each template in the set (which has at least one member) is structured to evince the content of the sections. In one implementation the set of templates includes a single template having locations for entering the content for each section. Alternatively, the set of templates includes a separate template for each section, and each template has a location for entering the content of a corresponding section. The predetermined sections may optionally include a headline, a summary, and a release date, and/or at least one key message and/or a section providing an identification of classes of individuals to whom the content provided in the body is expected to be relevant.

[0010] A related embodiment provides a method of automatically generating a news release over a network. In this embodiment, the method includes

[0011] a. from a computer at a first location, separately specifying over a network to a host computer, content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

[0012] b. storing, in a digital storage medium in communication with the host computer, the content specified for each of the sections; and

[0013] c. assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format.

[0014] The network, in a further embodiment, is the Internet, and the host computer may be implemented as a World Wide Web server. As in the case of the earlier embodiments, the content may be specified via a set of templates in the manner described previously. Moreover, the method of this embodiment may optionally include automatically identifying classes of recipients of the news release based on further recipient content of at least one of the sections. Also optionally, the method may include distributing the news release to recipients in each identified class. Distributing the news release may be performed automatically and may include sending the news release as E-Mail over the Internet. The E-Mail may include an attachment supplying additional information.

[0015] Also provided in a related embodiment is a system for automatically generating a news release over a network. The system of this embodiment includes

[0016] a. a host computer, in communication with a remote computer over a network, the host computer running a first process causing the host computer to receive, from the remote computer, separately specified content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

[0017] b. a digital storage medium, in communication with the host computer, that stores the content specified for each of the sections; and

[0018] c. a second process, running on a computer in communication with the digital storage medium, that assembles the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format.

[0019] As described previously, in a further embodiment, the network is the Internet and the host computer is a World Wide Web. Moreover, there may be optionally a third process that identifies classes of recipients of the news release based on content of at least of at least one of the sections, and optionally a fourth process that distributes the news release as E-Mail over the Internet to recipients in each identified class. The E-Mail may include an attachment supplying additional information.

[0020] In yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a digitally encoded E-Mail message, for transmission over a global communications network, carrying a news release. In this embodiment, the message includes:

[0021] a. a header providing network address, data, formatted for the global communications network; and

[0022] b. a body having a plurality of sections, the sections including

[0023] (i) a headline;

[0024] (ii) a summary; and

[0025] (iii) key points.

[0026] In a related embodiment, the body of the E-Mail message further includes a plurality of labels, each label corresponding to one of the sections, for labeling the sections. The body of the E-Mail message optionally includes a section providing an identification of classes of individuals to whom the content provided in the body is expected to be relevant. Furthermore, the E-Mail message may also include an attachment providing information supplementing information in the body. Also the body may includes a section providing a network address of a source of information that supplements information in the body. In this embodiment, the network address is optionally a URL of a site on the World Wide Web.

[0027] The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for generating a news release.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for generating and distributing a news release over a network.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system in accordance with the present invention for generating and distributing a news release over a network.

[0031] FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate in further detail the logical flow of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 2.

[0032] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate templates in the form of HTML page prompting a user for input of content of the news release in the respective sections of headline, summary, and key messages.

[0033] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate additional information available via hyperlinks from the HTML page illustrated in FIG. 5 pertaining to entry of the headline content.

[0034] FIG. 10 shows partitioning of a news release into a number of sections, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 11 shows an example of a news release utilizing the sections of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for generating a news release. In this embodiment, three activities are involved. As shown in item 11, first there is specified the content of sections of the news release. As shown in further detail below, the news release is conveniently partitioned into a number of sections. An example of such a partitioning is shown in FIG. 10. The sections include (among other things) for example the headline, a summary, key points, and a release date. The sections of the news release are ordered in a manner consistent with a desired format for the news release. The content specified for each section is in item 12 stored in a suitable digital storage medium. Finally, as shown in box 13, the news release is assembled by retrieving from the digital storage medium each of the stored sections. The retrieval is managed so as to provide a news release in the desired format. One of the benefits of this embodiment is the possibility of providing a highly structured environment in which to create the news release. This structured environment permits persons without substantial experience in marketing or public relations to create an effective news release in an efficient manner. Similarly, the format provided by embodiments of the present invention permits readers of the news release to scan quickly and efficiently the information presented in the release, and thereby determine their level of interest and/or desire for any follow-up materials.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for generating and distributing a news release over a network. In this embodiment it is assumed that the content of the news release will be specified via a remote computer 31 as shown in FIG. 3, which is in communication over a network 32 with a host computer 34. The host computer 34 which is here implemented as a server and is in communication with a digital storage medium 33 for storing (among other things) news release content. The network 32 may be implemented as the Internet, and in particular the World Wide Web. In this specific embodiment, the host computer 34 provides HTML pages for access by a remote computer such as computer 31 by means of which may be entered appropriate news release content. Shown in box 21 is the first activity of this embodiment, which in a manner analogous to the activity in box of FIG. 1 includes specifying the content of sections of the news release, but in this case the content is entered via remote computer 31 and the content is communicated over the network 32 to the host computer 34. In box 22, the host computer 34 causes the content to be stored in the digital storage medium 33 which may be realized for example, as a hard disk drive. After the content has been stored in box 23, the news release is assembled by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format.

[0038] In a further embodiment, there may be included further activities associated with distribution of the news release. In particular, in box 24, there are automatically identified classes of recipients of the news release based on content of at least one of the sections in the news release. In one embodiment, information in the section KEY WORDS/TOPICS is used to identify the classes. Alternatively, for example, it is known in the art of intelligent content management to identify key words in text and to use these key words to characterize the content of the text. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,304 (Miller, “Information evaluation”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,186 (Ferguson, “System and method for a computer-based dynamic information clipping service”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,586 (Amram et al., “Enhanced apparatus and methods for retrieving and selecting profiled textural information records form a database of defined category structures”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,951 (Damashek, “Method of retrieving documents that concern the same topic”); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,703 (Withgott et al., “Method and apparatus for summarizing documents according to theme”), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Such a characterization may be used to determine classes of recipients of the news release. In particular, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize a list of recipients, wherein each recipient is placed in one or more classes according to the interests or other characteristics of the recipient. One major group of recipients in many applications for embodiments described herein is reporters. Reporters may be placed in classes according to the types of topics they cover, for example fashion, new technology, business leaders, and so forth. However, other groups are also possible recipients and may also be placed in classes according to interests or other characteristics. For example, business managers may be targeted for news releases depending on the nature of the businesses they manage. Consumers, too, may be interested in receiving information concerning specific kinds of new products. All of these groups may be treated as recipients and placed into appropriate classes. Accordingly, in step 24, there are automatically identified classes of recipients of the news release based on content of at least of the sections of the news release. Thereafter, in box 25, there occurs the activity of distributing the news release to recipients on each identified class. In further embodiments, distribution of the news release is performed automatically and includes sending the news release as e-mail over the Internet. The e-mail may optionally include an attachment supplying additional information. Further information concerning the Internet and E-Mail is provided in the above referenced patents and, for example, in Gralla, How the Internet Works(Ziff-Davis Press, 1996), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; see especially pages 44-49.

[0039] FIG. 10 provides an example of sections of a news release in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 10, these sections include the headline (called “HEADLINE”), typically up to about 10 words in length; a summary (called “IN BRIEF”), three key points (called “KEY MESSAGES”), typically no more than about 40 words each; “WHO WILL CARE”, a section identifying potential audience for the news release and explaining why the story conveyed in the news release will be of interest; “OTHER STORY ANGLES”, section providing other ways to position or view the story; “RELEASE DATE”, the date on which the news release is first to be distributed; “TIMELINESS”, information governing the useful duration of the news release; “KEY WORDS/TOPICS”, providing words characterizing the content of the news release, for purposes including identifying classes of recipients. In addition there is a section on contact information that includes subsections providing links to relevant websites, information concerning the availability of a full press release, other available materials, persons who may be contacted (identified as “CONTACT(S)”, and “SPECIAL NOTES”. It should be noted that not all information supplied by the user in connection with a contemplated news release need be utilized in the news release as distributed. For example, information in KEY WORDS/TOPICS may be used in determining classes of recipients of the news release but may be omitted from the news release itself. In FIG. 11 is provided an example of a news release utilizing the sections set forth in FIG. 10.

[0040] FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate in further detail the logical flow of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 2. In box 1, the user is presented with the home page of the Website. The home page offers the option of skipping various steps depending on user preference or experience. The user is next presented, however, in box 2 with an HTML page showing news release examples including labels of each part (that is, each section) of the news release. Next, in box 3, there is presented an HTML page that describes briefly the process flow experienced by the user in utilizing the Website to assemble a news release. In box 4, the user is provided an HTML page on which to present contact information and payment information. In box 5, the user is presented with an introduction to the process of working on the release and then is presented with a guided process for providing the content of each section of the release. This guided process may be implemented in a number of different ways. In a first implementation, the user provides content by completing templates that are provided on the Website in a manner described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 5 through 9. Under another implementation, the user may be prompted to download templates, complete the information offline and then upload the content at a later time. Under yet a third implementation, the content may be provided by means of an interactive interview, wherein instructions, hints and questions are used to aid the user in providing a single response on each screen of a sequence of screens to cause the provision of content for each section. In box 6, the user is provided an opportunity to review the completed news release. In box 7, the user is given the opportunity to make changes to the content of the release. In box 8, the user is presented with a guided process to supply what we call “newsmaker” information, namely the name, title, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of a person to be listed as the contact on the news release, as well as additional information pertinent to the source of the news release. (The guided process operates in a manner analogous with the process described above in connection with box 5.) Referring now to FIG. 4B, in box 9, the user is provided an opportunity to review the provided newsmaker information. In box 10, the user has the option to modify the newsmaker information. In box 11, the user is prompted to identify the types of media being targeted by the news release. In box 12, the user is prompted to supply information concerning the time sensitivity of the news release. In box 13, the user is prompted to provide additional information concerning the subject matter and/or links to appropriate websites. In box 14, the user is provided an opportunity to review the entire news release submission. In box 15, the user is given the opportunity to modify the submission. In box 16, the user is prompted to authorize submission of the news release and, if the authorization is given, then in box 17 (in FIG. 4C), the user is prompted to authorize the payment mechanism for the news release generation and distribution. In box 18, the user is thanked and given an explanation and the procedures to be followed in generation and distribution of the news release. In box 19, the user is sent an e-mail of the generated news release. In boxes 20 and 21, the user provides notification of acceptance of the news release and any changes, and gives final approval to distribute the release. In box 22, the release is distributed and in box 23 the user is notified that the release has been distributed, at which time the user may also be provided with statistics associated with the distribution.