The end of the year is a time for both reflection and planning — and with exactly one month left in 2015, we are ready to start looking back over the year that was and gearing up for the year to come. For PR and marketing pros, the press release will remain a key piece of a well-rounded communications strategy.Press releases have been evolving for quite some time, as brands embrace storytelling and seek new ways to engage their audiences. Today’s press release is highly visual, written for a targeted audience, and has become a critical piece in a content marketing strategy.This evolution was reflected in many of the topics Beyond PR’s contributors wrote about this year. To help you get your 2016 communications plan started, here are some of our top blog posts, white papers, and other content about press releases from the past year.Press Release Writing Tips: Out with the Old, In with the NewsEmbargoes. Jim Dashes. “For Immediate Release.” Many features that were once standard practice for press releases have become outdated as we adapt to a fast-paced digital atmosphere.In this blog post, we break down some out-of-date practices and offer tips on how to update your press releases to better suit today’s communications landscape.The Best Times to Send a Press Release GloballyIt has been said that the Internet made the world smaller, as more and more of the world’s population logs online to consume content and information. A press release can reach corners of the globe with ease, and PR practitioners are blessed with the opportunity to cultivate a global audience. This is a must-read for those looking to expand their reach to new countries and regions. Learn how to time your press release for international distribution, as well as the key points to consider for different types of content and the varied audiences you’d like to reach.

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