How to Get the Best Results From Your CPD News Release

Congratulations on qualifying for the CPD program! Now, we would like to help you receive the press coverage your accomplishment deserves.

The CPCU Society has prepared a CPD news release template that you can use when preparing your own news release. Note: If you plan to email the news release to your local news media, please do not send your news release as an attachment. The media prefers to receive press releases as text within the body of an email. Also, please do not copy the news release onto your company’s letterhead. By avoiding graphics, you greatly increase the chance of your email getting through to the intended recipient(s).

Here’s how to prepare your news release:

1. Download the CPD news release template.
2. Fill in the information requested in the brackets. Be sure to delete all the brackets and instructions before sending your release.
3. In the second paragraph, type a brief biographical paragraph, which could include:
   • Your present position and the name and location of your company or agency
   • Association and organization memberships
   • Information that would be appropriate for a particular publication (alumni or association newsletter, etc.)

   SAMPLE: Smith manages the Denver claims office of the Inter-America Insurance Company. He is vice president of the Denver Claims Association and a member of both the High Valley Lions Club and the Homeowners Protective League.

4. Attach a black-and-white photo, if available.
5. Mail or email your news release to selected publications:
   • Your company’s internal publication
   • The local CPCU Society chapter publication
   • Local newspapers
   • Local business publications
   • Publications of local or state associations to which you belong
   • College alumni publications (be sure to put the name of the school you attended in your biographical paragraph)

Please do not send your news release to the CPCU Society or AICPCU for distribution. We cannot distribute news releases for individual members.