Press Release Request Form Template

Give your communications team everything needed to draft and distribute a press release before the work begins. This form captures the announcement type, key messages, executive quotes, embargo settings, and target outlets — turning an informal request into a complete, actionable communications brief.

formformform.com/f/BJJ

Who uses this template

Communications and PR teamsMarketing directorsProduct marketing teamsHR and people teamsCorporate affairs departmentsInvestor relations teamsPR agencies managing client accountsNonprofits making public announcements

About this template

A press release request form standardizes how announcements flow to the communications or PR team. Without a formal intake process, PR teams often receive incomplete requests — a two-line email with a launch date and no quote, no key messages, and no distribution guidance. The result is a flurry of follow-up questions that delay the draft and frustrate everyone involved.

A structured form eliminates this by requiring the requester to provide the headline direction, key messages, approved quotes, embargo requirements, and target outlets before a word is written. This gives the PR writer or agency a complete brief to work from and reduces revisions substantially. The quote capture fields are particularly valuable: getting an approved executive quote before drafting ensures the release sounds authentic rather than generic.

formformform makes it straightforward to deploy this form as an internal intake tool. Share the link in your company intranet, HR portal, or Slack announcements channel. Every submission is logged and triggers an email notification to the PR lead, creating a clear record of what was requested, when, and by whom — essential for compliance-sensitive announcements like funding rounds or executive changes.

12 form ideas you can build with this template +
Product Launch Press Release Request

Captures product name, key features, target market, and launch date for a new product announcement to trade and consumer press.

Funding Round Announcement Request

Documents funding amount, investor names, intended use of funds, and CEO quote for a Series A/B/C or seed round press release.

Executive Appointment Press Release Request

Collects new executive's name, role, background highlights, and board chair quote for a leadership announcement.

Partnership Announcement Press Release Request

Gathers partner company details, partnership scope, mutual benefit statement, and spokesperson quotes from both parties.

Acquisition Press Release Request

Documents acquiring company, acquired company, deal terms cleared for disclosure, strategic rationale, and investor relation notes.

Award & Recognition Press Release Request

Captures award name, awarding organization, category, and company statement for an industry recognition announcement.

Research Report Release Request

Collects report title, headline findings, methodology notes, and analyst quote for a thought leadership report announcement.

Event Announcement Press Release Request

Captures event name, date, venue, key speakers, and registration link for an industry conference or company event.

Crisis Communications Press Release Request

Urgently collects factual timeline, corrective actions taken, and approved spokesperson statement for a rapid response press release.

Nonprofit Grant Announcement Request

Documents grant amount, granting organization, program to be funded, and impact statement for a funding announcement.

Regulatory Approval Press Release Request

Captures the regulatory body, approval type, product or process approved, and implications for customers or investors.

Company Milestone Press Release Request

Collects milestone achieved (customer count, revenue, anniversary), supporting data, and CEO reflection quote for a growth announcement.

What's included

+ Announcement type dropdown with 11 common categories
+ Proposed headline field to guide communications strategy
+ Primary and secondary quote source fields with pre-approved quote capture
+ Embargo date and time field for sensitive release timing
+ Distribution target checklist (wire, trade, national, international, internal)
+ Supporting assets URL for logos, images, and video

How to create a press release request form

  1. 1

    Click "Use this template" to load the press release request form into your formformform account.

  2. 2

    Customize the 'Announcement Type' dropdown to include announcement categories specific to your industry (e.g., add 'IPO Filing' for public companies).

  3. 3

    Add a legal review status field if your organization requires legal sign-off before distribution.

  4. 4

    Set up email notifications to route submissions to your head of communications or PR agency contact.

  5. 5

    Include a note in the paragraph field specifying your lead time requirement (e.g., 'Minimum 10 business days required').

  6. 6

    Share the form link in your internal communications channel or link to it from your company's communications guidelines page.

Best practices for your press release request form

Require the proposed headline

even a rough one forces the requester to distill the announcement into a single, compelling line and gives the PR writer a direction to sharpen rather than invent.

Capture quotes before drafting

getting a pre-approved executive quote at intake prevents the most common delay in press release production: waiting for quote sign-off.

Make the embargo field explicit

a clear radio button for 'no embargo' vs 'embargo until date/time' prevents costly mistakes where confidential announcements go out early.

Include a distribution target checklist

a checkbox list of wire services, trade press, national press, and internal-only options ensures the communications team never under- or over-distributes by default.

Ask for supporting assets upfront

a URL field for logos, product images, or headshots saves the team a follow-up step before pitching journalists who always request visuals.

Add a legal review status note

for funding rounds, acquisitions, and regulatory updates, a field flagging whether legal has approved the announcement prevents premature distribution.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I submit a press release request? +

Most communications teams need at least 10 business days for drafting, revisions, legal review (if required), and quote approvals. For wire service distribution, 15 business days is safer to allow for formatting and scheduling.

What is an embargo and when should I use one? +

An embargo is an agreement with journalists not to publish a story before a specified date and time. Use it when you want to give journalists early access to write a richer story — for example, ahead of a product launch or earnings announcement — but need to control the release timing.

Do I need an approved quote before submitting? +

A draft quote is sufficient at intake — the communications team can refine it. However, having an approved quote significantly speeds up the process and reduces revision rounds. The form accepts drafts so the PR writer can begin work while approval is pending.

Can I submit a press release request for an internal announcement only? +

Yes. Select 'Internal announcement only' in the distribution targets. The communications team will format it appropriately for internal channels (intranet, all-hands email, etc.) rather than external media distribution.

What supporting assets should I attach? +

At minimum: a high-resolution company logo and a headshot of the primary quote source. For product launches, include a product image. For funding announcements, investor logos are often requested by media. Add a link to a shared folder with all assets in the designated URL field.

Related templates

Start with the Press Release Request Form template

Free forever. No credit card required. Customize everything.

Use this template