PR Highlight: Press Release SpotlightAnd the Winner Is…Each quarter, HR Marketer spotlights an outstanding press release from our members. Winning members receive a free Direct2Net Internet "wire" press release via HR Marketer, valued at nearly $300. Our winter "spotlight" release debuted in early December and is written by Ed Emerman, who represents Watson Wyatt Worldwide. The release focuses on how employee satisfaction with benefits remains surprisingly high, despite years of sharp rises in health care costs. It deftly weaves two recurring coverage topics which are followed by HR and workforce media: rising benefit costs, and challenges to employee morale. The subject heading, summary and headline all convey the key news angle of the announcement. The lead paragraph introduces readers to the Watson Wyatt employee survey that brought about the data, followed by a myriad of supporting details which flesh out the overall story. The release also answers the “why” question, by noting how employer communication has made the difference in educating employees about their benefits and maintaining satisfaction. Journalists are looking for conflicts, surprises, and trends which impact the overall employment picture. This release never loses its focus on meeting those needs, right down to the Watson Wyatt spokesperson quote. The comments not only support the story told by the release, but progress it further by offering guidance and cautions for the future. Below is a sample of the release. Congratulations Ed and Watson Wyatt! Employee Satisfaction With Health Benefits Remains Surprisingly High, Watson Wyatt Survey Finds More Employees Understand Value of Total Reward Package WASHINGTON, December 2, 2004 -- While health care and benefit costs have risen sharply over the past decade, most workers have remained surprisingly satisfied with their employer-sponsored health benefits, according to Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading human capital consulting firm. Watson Wyatt's 2004 WorkUSA® survey of nearly 13,000 employees found that 61 percent of workers are satisfied with their health plan, the same percentage as in 1994 and 1999. Only 17 percent are dissatisfied, while the remaining 23 percent have mixed feelings. Two years ago, the percentage of employees satisfied with their health benefits was slightly higher, at 64 percent. Watch for future press release spotlights in future issues of our new HR Intelligence Newsletter! |