The First Press Release

The first press release is often attributed to Ivy Lee, who is considered one of the pioneers of modern public relations. On 28 October 1906, Lee issued a statement to journalists on behalf of the Pennsylvania Railroad after a train accident in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This event is regarded as the birth of the press release.

The significance of this first press release lies in its purpose and approach. At the time, the relationship between companies and the media was often adversarial, and companies would often try to conceal negative information. However, Ivy Lee proposed a different strategy. He believed in providing accurate and timely information to the press, fostering transparency and building trust between organisations and the public.

Lee’s press release after the train accident in Atlantic City aimed to provide factual details about the incident, express sympathy for the victims and their families, and outline the steps taken to address the situation and prevent similar accidents in the future. This approach was groundbreaking and marked a shift in how companies engaged with the media.

By issuing the press release, Ivy Lee established a template for future communications between organisations and the press. The practice of providing information through press releases quickly gained traction and became an essential tool for companies, governments, and other entities to disseminate news, announcements, and updates. The press release became an effective means of shaping public opinion, managing crises, and maintaining transparency in the world of public relations.

Kevin Harrington

I’m a UK-based B2B marketing consultant, specialising in strategic advice for SME business owners. I bring extensive hands-on expertise to every client engagement. Senior leadership roles across technology, media, payments, and publishing have shaped my practical approach. Highlights include serving as Chief Marketing Officer at The Panoply plc (now TPXimpact), Chief Commercial Officer at Tungsten Network, and Global Marketing Director at BBC Worldwide. Over the years, I’ve guided numerous SMEs through transformation and value creation. Helping businesses evolve and thrive is a genuine passion. Practical marketing insights and succession planning strategies are at the heart of what I do, as I believe growing a business’s asset value should be a rewarding and positive journey for every entrepreneur.

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