In 2025, press releases remain a vital tool in strategic communication, enabling businesses, organizations, and individuals to share critical updates, shape narratives, and engage diverse audiences in a hyper-connected world. With the global public relations market projected to reach $133 billion by 2027, press releases remain a pivotal component, despite the rise of social media and influencer-driven campaigns. Their structured format, credibility, and ability to reach journalists, stakeholders, and consumers make them indispensable. However, with costs ranging from minimal to thousands of dollars, businesses must justify the investment by aligning press release objectives with measurable outcomes. This article examines the multifaceted purposes of press releases and assesses how their costs can be justified through strategic execution, drawing on current industry insights to inform decision-making in 2025.
Purposes of Press Releases
Announcing Significant News
The core purpose of a press release is to formally announce noteworthy developments, such as product launches, corporate milestones, partnerships, financial results, or events. This ensures accurate, timely communication to media outlets, reducing the risk of misinformation. In 2025, with 84% of journalists relying on PR materials for story inspiration, press releases provide a controlled channel to share the “official” story. For example, a Malaysian tech firm launching an AI tool can use a press release to detail its features and market impact, targeting outlets like Malaysiakini or The Star. For publicly traded companies, releases are crucial for regulatory compliance, as they must meet requirements from bodies such as Bursa Malaysia or the SEC for disclosures on earnings or mergers. This purpose justifies costs by ensuring clarity and authority in communication.
Building Brand Credibility and Awareness
Press releases enhance brand visibility by securing coverage in trusted media, ranging from local newspapers to global platforms like Reuters. Third-party validation enhances credibility, as 68% of consumers trust editorial content over ads. A startup announcing a funding round might gain exposure in Vulcan Post, positioning it as a market contender. Releases also establish thought leadership, such as a company sharing sustainability research to align with 2025’s eco-conscious trends. The cost of crafting and distributing a release is justified by the long-term brand equity built through consistent, credible media presence.
Driving Digital Engagement and Traffic
In the digital era, press releases boost online visibility through SEO optimization and multimedia integration. Keywords in headlines and lead paragraphs improve search rankings, driving traffic to websites or product pages. With 60% of news consumed on mobile devices, releases with visuals like videos or infographics can increase engagement by 9.7 times. For instance, a retailer’s release about a sustainable product line, amplified on X or LinkedIn, can generate thousands of views at minimal cost (e.g., MYR 50–2,000 for boosted posts). The investment is justified by measurable increases in traffic and conversions, often tracked via UTM tags.
Managing Crises and Ensuring Transparency
Press releases are essential for crisis management, as they enable organizations to address issues such as product recalls or leadership controversies in a transparent manner. In 2025’s volatile climate, swift communication mitigates reputational damage, as 73% of consumers favor brands that address issues openly. A food company facing a supply chain issue might issue a release outlining corrective actions, countering misinformation on platforms like X. The cost is justified by protecting brand trust and preventing long-term financial losses from negative publicity.
Enhancing Investor and Stakeholder Relations
For businesses, especially publicly traded ones, press releases communicate financial performance, strategic updates, or ESG initiatives to investors and stakeholders. A release announcing a renewable energy project can attract impact investors, signaling growth potential. These releases also engage employees and partners, reinforcing corporate vision. Costs are justified by maintaining investor confidence and fostering stakeholder loyalty, both of which are critical for long-term success.
Cost Breakdown and Justification
Press release costs vary widely, ranging from MYR 200 to MYR 37,800, depending on the writing, distribution, and additional services. Here’s how these expenses align with their purposes:
Writing Costs
- In-House Writing: Costs MYR 100–400 in labor (2–4 hours at MYR 50–100/hour), ideal for small firms with PR staff. Justified by low overhead and control over messaging, ensuring alignment with brand goals.
- Freelancers: MYR 200–1,100 per release, depending on complexity (e.g., MYR 300 for a milestone, MYR 1,000 for financial reports). Cost-effective for startups, justified by professional quality that secures media pickup.
- PR Agencies: MYR 2,200–13,000 for expert writing, including research and revisions. Justified for high-stakes releases (e.g., financial or crisis) where accuracy and credibility are paramount.
Distribution Costs
- Newswire Services: PR Newswire charges MYR 1,500–3,500 for local, MYR 2,500–5,200 for national, and MYR 6,500–37,800 for global distribution. B2Press offers Malaysian coverage for MYR 2,000–4,000. These costs are justified by their broad reach (e.g., The Star, Reuters) and guaranteed placements, which are critical for brand awareness.
- Budget Platforms: EIN Presswire costs MYR 650 per release or MYR 2,170 for five, ideal for SMEs. Justified by affordability and sufficient reach for local or niche campaigns.
- Free Platforms: PRLog offers free distribution but lacks targeted reach. Justified for testing but less effective for significant impact.
Additional Costs
- Multimedia: MYR 1,400–2,000 per image or video, justified by higher engagement rates.
- Translations: MYR 500–2,000 for Malay or Mandarin, essential in Malaysia’s multilingual market.
- SEO and Analytics: MYR 400–1,300 for optimization and MYR 200–1,000 for tracking, justified by increased visibility and measurable ROI.
Justifying Costs with ROI
The average cost of a press release in Malaysia (MYR 2,200–11,000) is justified by the tangible outcomes it yields. A single release can generate over 50 media mentions, driving more than 10,000 website visits or $10,000 in sales for a product launch. For crisis management, costs prevent losses from reputational damage, potentially worth millions of dollars. Investor-focused releases maintain stock stability, while SEO-driven traffic boosts conversions, with 65% of marketers noting higher ROI from integrated PR. Analytics track metrics such as click-through rates and media pickups, ensuring that costs align with goals.
Strategies to Optimize Costs
To maximize value, businesses can:
- Use in-house teams for routine releases, saving MYR 1,000–10,000.
- Leverage budget platforms like EIN Presswire for smaller campaigns.
- Amplify your message via social media for MYR 0–500, extending your reach cost-effectively.
- Focus on targeted distribution to local outlets, such as Berita Harian, reducing costs to MYR 650–3,000.
In conclusion, press releases in 2025 serve to announce news, build credibility, drive engagement, manage crises, and foster stakeholder engagement. Their costs, ranging from MYR 200 to MYR 37,800, are justified by measurable outcomes like media coverage, traffic, and brand trust, making them a strategic investment for businesses aiming to thrive in a competitive landscape.