Understanding how to properly cite sources is crucial in journalism, public relations, academic writing, and professional publishing. One of the sources frequently referenced in business, marketing, and media circles is the press release. Whether you’re a student, a media professional, or a corporate communicator, citing a press release using the Chicago Manual of Style ensures your work is credible and professional.
In this detailed guide from IMCWire Official, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to cite a press release Chicago style, including how to do so in both the Notes and Bibliography system and the Author-Date system. We’ll also provide real-world examples and formatting tips to help you get it right every time.
Table of Contents
What Is a Press Release?
Before diving into citation formats, it’s important to understand what a press release is. A press release is an official statement delivered to media outlets providing information on a particular matter. Typically, it’s issued by a company, organization, or public figure to announce something newsworthy—such as a product launch, partnership, financial results, or major event.
Press releases are considered gray literature, meaning they are produced outside of traditional academic or commercial publishing channels, yet are still vital sources of credible information.
Why Proper Citation Matters
Citing your sources accurately accomplishes several things:
- Ensures credibility: Your audience can trace your references to verify accuracy.
- Avoids plagiarism: Giving credit where it’s due protects your professional reputation.
- Maintains consistency: Using a recognized citation style like Chicago helps maintain formatting uniformity in formal documents.
For researchers, journalists, students, or PR professionals, knowing how to cite a press release Chicago style is essential for transparent and ethical reporting.
Overview of the Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style offers two citation systems:
- Notes and Bibliography (NB) – commonly used in humanities, literature, and some social sciences.
- Author-Date – often used in sciences and social sciences.
Let’s go over how press releases should be cited in both formats.
How to Cite a Press Release Chicago: Notes and Bibliography Style
In the Notes and Bibliography system, you cite sources using footnotes or endnotes and list full citations in a bibliography at the end of your document.
Footnote Format:
1. Organization or Individual Name, “Title of the Press Release,” news release, Name of Newswire (if applicable), Date, URL (if online).
Example Footnote:
1. IMCWire, “IMCWire Expands Media Distribution Network Across Europe,” news release, IMCWire, March 15, 2024, https://www.imcwire.com/press/imcwire-european-network.
Bibliography Entry:
IMCWire. “IMCWire Expands Media Distribution Network Across Europe.” News release. IMCWire. March 15, 2024. https://www.imcwire.com/press/imcwire-european-network.
How to Cite a Press Release Chicago: Author-Date Style
In the Author-Date system, brief in-text citations (usually the author’s name and year of publication) direct readers to a reference list.
In-Text Citation:
(IMCWire 2024)
Reference List Format:
IMCWire. 2024. “IMCWire Expands Media Distribution Network Across Europe.” News release. March 15, 2024. https://www.imcwire.com/press/imcwire-european-network.
Key Elements to Include in a Press Release Citation
Regardless of which Chicago style format you use, your citation should contain the following key details:
- Name of the issuer (organization or individual)
- Title of the press release (in quotation marks)
- Type of document (e.g., “news release”)
- Source name (such as a newswire or website)
- Date of publication
- URL (for online releases)
These components help ensure your citation is complete and useful for verification purposes.
Citing a Press Release Without a Named Author
If the press release does not have an individual author, you can simply use the organization name as the author in both citation systems. This is common for company-issued releases, such as those distributed via IMCWire or PR Newswire.
Notes and Bibliography Example:
1. Tesla, “Tesla Launches Cybertruck in Europe,” news release, February 1, 2025, https://www.tesla.com/press/cybertruck-europe.
Author-Date Example:
(Tesla 2025)
Citing a Printed Press Release
While most press releases today are distributed online, you may occasionally encounter a printed version (especially in academic archives or historical collections).
In such cases:
- Omit the URL.
- Indicate the physical source if available.
Notes and Bibliography (Printed Release):
1. United Nations, “Climate Action Plan Update,” news release, June 5, 2022.
Bibliography:
United Nations. “Climate Action Plan Update.” News release. June 5, 2022.
How to Format Your Citation
Here are a few tips to keep your Chicago-style press release citations polished and consistent:
- Use quotation marks for the title of the press release.
- Capitalize major words in the title (headline-style capitalization).
- Italicize the name of the source publication if it’s a newswire (optional in some cases).
- Date formats should follow the Chicago standard: Month Day, Year (e.g., March 15, 2024).
- Double-check URLs for accuracy and ensure they’re active.
Special Case: Citing a Press Release in a Digital Report
Sometimes, press releases are embedded in digital reports, annual reports, or other multimedia content. In these cases:
- Cite the press release separately if it was originally issued independently.
- Mention the larger report if the release is only accessible through it.
Example:
1. Amazon, “Prime Day 2024 Breaks Records,” in *Amazon 2024 Annual Business Review*, news release, July 12, 2024.
Citing Third-Party Distributors (Newswire Services)
Press releases are often distributed through services like IMCWire, PR Newswire, GlobeNewswire, or Business Wire. When citing such releases:
- List the issuing company or organization as the author.
- You may optionally include the distributor in the citation for clarity.
Example:
1. Apple Inc., “Apple Introduces New iPhone with AI Features,” news release, distributed by IMCWire, September 10, 2024, https://www.imcwire.com/press/apple-ai-iphone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Should I include the time of release in my citation?
A: Typically, no. The date is sufficient unless the time is crucial to your reference (such as in fast-moving news or legal documentation).
Q: What if the press release is quoted in another article?
A: Ideally, cite the original press release. If that’s not accessible, cite the secondary source and make it clear you’re referencing a quotation from a release.
Q: Can I cite a press release as a primary source?
A: Yes. Press releases are often considered primary sources, especially when issued directly from an organization.
Best Practices for IMCWire Users
As a professional media distribution platform, IMCWire encourages proper citation of all distributed press releases. When referencing any announcement published via IMCWire, make sure to include the original issuer, release title, date, and the IMCWire URL.
This ensures the content is easily traceable for editors, readers, and academic reviewers.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to cite a press release Chicago style is an essential skill for writers, journalists, researchers, and marketing professionals. Whether you’re referencing a company update, event announcement, or financial news release, the Chicago Manual of Style offers clear guidance on how to do it properly.
Always ensure your citations are complete, consistent, and transparent. If you’re publishing through professional channels like IMCWire, proper formatting will elevate the credibility of your work.
Use the guidelines above as your go-to reference when citing any press release in the Chicago style, and maintain the highest standards in your communication and documentation.
