In an era where timely and credible news dissemination can transform a brand’s reputation, learning how to submit a press release to Associated Press (AP) is a strategic imperative for organizations seeking maximum media exposure. As the world’s leading newswire service, AP offers unparalleled reach to thousands of newsrooms, websites, and digital platforms worldwide. However, navigating the AP submission process can be complex, requiring adherence to rigorous editorial standards and precise formatting guidelines. That’s where IMCWire comes in. As the official provider of submit press release to Associated Press services, IMCWire combines deep industry expertise, streamlined workflows, and personalized support to ensure that your announcements achieve the visibility and credibility they deserve.

The Importance of Associated Press

The Associated Press has been at the forefront of journalism for over 175 years, renowned for its commitment to accuracy, integrity, and impartial reporting. When you submit a press release to Associated Press, you align your news with an organization that journalists and news consumers trust implicitly. AP’s stringent editorial review process means that your announcement is vetted for clarity, relevance, and newsworthiness before distribution. As a result, stories carried on the AP wire are more likely to be picked up by major news outlets, syndicated across partner networks, and featured in high-authority publications—delivering exponential value far beyond the initial sending.

Why Submit a Press Release to Associated Press

Submitting your news to AP is about more than just broad distribution; it’s about securing a stamp of journalistic credibility that elevates your message above the noise. Whether you’re announcing a product launch, leadership change, corporate milestone, or research finding, an AP press release ensures that your news is presented in a format trusted by reporters, editors, and readers alike. Furthermore, AP’s global network spans national newspapers, television stations, online news portals, and social media channels, giving your announcement the chance to resonate in market segments and regions you might not reach through traditional PR efforts or paid advertising alone.

Understanding the AP Distribution Network

AP’s distribution network is a sophisticated ecosystem that delivers content to more than 15,000 news outlets in over 100 countries. When you submit a press release to Associated Press, your announcement becomes part of a curated news feed accessible via AP Newswire, digital platforms, and mobile applications. Subscribers can filter and customize the types of news they receive—by geography, topic, or industry—ensuring that your release reaches the most relevant audiences. Additionally, room for multimedia attachments, including images, videos, and infographics, enriches the storytelling potential of your message and increases the likelihood of pick-up by multimedia-focused outlets.

Key Benefits of AP Press Releases

1. Unmatched Reach: AP’s network is second to none, connecting you to major newspapers, broadcast stations, and online platforms globally.
2. Journalistic Credibility: AP’s reputation for impartial reporting lends authority to your announcement, making it more appealing to editors and journalists.
3. SEO Advantages: Articles syndicated through AP often rank highly in search engine results, providing long-term online visibility.
4. Real-Time Updates: AP’s digital-first approach ensures that your news is published instantly across multiple channels, keeping your brand message timely and relevant.
5. Multimedia Integration: Enhanced storytelling with images, video clips, and data visualizations can increase engagement and social media shares.

Preparing Your Press Release

Before you even think about how to submit a press release to Associated Press, take time to craft a compelling, concise, and newsworthy announcement. Start with a clear, informative headline that summarizes the essence of your news in no more than 80 characters. Follow this with a strong lead paragraph answering the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your story. Use AP’s inverted pyramid style—placing the most critical information at the beginning and following up with supporting details, quotes, and background. Keep your language formal, objective, and free of marketing jargon or hyperbole; AP’s editors will remove promotional language that reads like an advertisement.

Formatting Guidelines and Best Practices

AP maintains strict formatting standards to ensure consistency and readability across newsrooms. Key points include:

• Dateline: Begin with the city and state of the news (e.g., “NEW YORK, May 1, 2025”).
• Body Copy: Use single-spacing, left alignment, and a standard serif or sans-serif font.
• Paragraph Length: Keep paragraphs to one or two sentences.
• Attributions: Attribute quotes to full names and titles.
• Boilerplate: Conclude with a brief “About” section, providing company background in 50–75 words.
• Contact Information: Include a media contact name, phone number, and email address.

Noncompliance with these guidelines can result in rejection or unnecessary editorial modifications—delaying distribution.

Step-by-Step Submission Process

1. Engage IMCWire: Contact IMCWire to initiate your AP submission. Our experienced account managers will guide you through deadlines, pricing tiers, and editorial requirements.
2. Draft Review: Submit your draft press release to IMCWire. We conduct a comprehensive audit, ensuring alignment with AP style, optimizing headlines for SEO, and verifying multimedia attachments.
3. Revise and Approve: IMCWire provides line-by-line edits and formatting corrections. Your team reviews these suggested changes and grants final approval.
4. Scheduling: Choose your preferred distribution date and time. IMCWire coordinates with AP to reserve your time slot, considering embargo requests if applicable.
5. AP Submission: On the scheduled date, IMCWire submits the release via AP’s secure wire system. We confirm successful transmission and provide you with distribution receipts.
6. Post-Distribution Monitoring: After distribution, IMCWire tracks pick-up across AP’s network and compiles a performance report—detailing media pickups, online impressions, and SEO rankings.

Leveraging Multimedia Assets

Visual content can dramatically enhance the appeal of your press release. When you submit a press release to Associated Press, consider attaching:

• High-Resolution Images: JPG or PNG files with captions and credit lines.
• Infographics and Charts: Data visualizations in PDF or PNG formats.
• Video Clips: Short MP4 or MOV files with clear descriptions and transcription.
• Logos and Brand Assets: EPS or vector files suitable for print and broadcast.

IMCWire’s design team can create or optimize these assets, ensuring they meet AP’s technical specifications—maximizing the likelihood that outlets will incorporate them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overly Promotional Tone: AP is a news service, not an advertising channel.
• Missing Dateline: Failing to include the correct city/state/date can lead to rejection.
• Poorly Written Headlines: Vague or sensational titles reduce editorial acceptance.
• Ignoring AP Style: Incorrect abbreviations, numbers, or capitalization violate AP rules.
• Late Submissions: Missing AP’s 24–48 hour lead time can force your release into a later distribution cycle.

IMCWire helps you sidestep these pitfalls, combining editorial precision with strict timeline management.

Monitoring and Measuring Impact

Understanding the return on investment of your AP distribution is crucial. IMCWire provides comprehensive analytics, including:

• Media Pick-Up Reports: Detailed lists of outlets that published or referenced your release.
• Online Traffic Metrics: Referral analytics, charting spikes in website visits tied to distribution times.
• SEO Performance: Keyword rankings before and after publication.
• Social Media Reach: Share counts, engagement rates, and influencer amplification.

These insights empower you to refine future announcements and demonstrate the tangible value of AP distribution to stakeholders.

Why Choose IMCWire for AP Submissions

IMCWire is the only partner you need when you decide to submit press release to Associated Press. As the official provider of AP submission services, IMCWire brings together:

• Direct AP Partnership: Established relationships with AP’s editorial team streamline approvals.
• Specialized Expertise: Our editors are certified in AP style and understand the nuances of global news distribution.
• Customized Service: From targeted regional distribution to industry-specific lists, we tailor each campaign to your unique audience.
• Hands-On Support: Dedicated account managers keep you informed at every step, from draft to press clip report.

IMCWire’s Proven Process

Our four-stage methodology ensures flawless execution:

1. Consultation: We assess your objectives, target audience, and timing requirements.
2. Preparation: Collaborative drafting, multimedia curation, and compliance auditing.
3. Distribution: Seamless scheduling and wire transmission via AP’s platform.
4. Analysis: Post-distribution reporting, including custom insights and ROI calculations.

By choosing IMCWire, you benefit from a turnkey solution that removes the complexity of AP submissions—from formatting minutiae to deadline coordination.

Case Studies and Success Stories

• Tech Startup Launch: A SaaS provider saw a 250% boost in media mentions after IMCWire-managed AP distribution, securing features in leading tech blogs and national business outlets.
• Healthcare Breakthrough: A biotech firm’s research announcement garnered coverage in major medical journals and increased website traffic by 400%.
• Consumer Product Reveal: A retail brand achieved placement in top lifestyle publications, translating to a 30% uptick in e-commerce conversions.

These examples illustrate how IMCWire’s expertise in AP submission drives measurable outcomes across industries.

Pricing and Service Packages

IMCWire offers flexible packages designed to fit organizations of all sizes:

Package	Features	Timeline	Price
Standard Wire	Headline optimization, AP compliance review, wire submit	2–3 business days	$180
Enhanced Wire	Includes multimedia optimization, targeted regional lists	3–4 business days	$350
Premium Wire	All Enhanced features + ROI reporting and social boost	5–7 business days	$499

Custom enterprise solutions and expedited turnaround times are available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get approved by AP?
A: Typical approval windows range from 24 to 48 hours, depending on volume and complexity. IMCWire’s early deadlines expedite this process.

Q: Can I embargo my press release?
A: Yes. AP supports embargoes. IMCWire will schedule distribution to honor your specified release date and time.

Q: Do I need to be an AP member?
A: No. Non-member organizations can use IMCWire’s AP submission services without requiring direct AP membership.

Q: What if my press release is rejected?
A: IMCWire works closely with AP editors to address any editorial feedback promptly and resubmit as needed.

Q: Are multimedia assets mandatory?
A: While not mandatory, images and videos significantly increase pick-up rates. IMCWire can help produce compliant assets.

Conclusion

Submitting a press release to Associated Press is a powerful way to amplify your organization’s news, reaching a global audience with the credibility that only AP can provide. Yet, the complexities of AP’s editorial standards, technical requirements, and scheduling protocols can be daunting without the right partner. IMCWire stands as the official provider of “submit press release to Associated Press” services—offering end-to-end guidance, precision editing, and transparent analytics. Ready to elevate your next announcement? Contact IMCWire today and ensure your news commands the attention it deserves on the world’s most trusted newswire.