Serial Number

Many organizations assign a code number to each release and include it either in the heading, under the contact person area, at the end of the first page of the release, or at the very end of the last page of the release. The code number includes a few numbers representing the date of the release, the initials of the person who prepared the release, and perhaps a few let­ters representing the type of release (NP might mean new product; P could stand for personnel).

The serial number serves two purposes for organizations that pre­pare a large number of releases. If a reporter calls and inquires about a topic for which there has been more than one release, the public relations department can ask for the serial number to identify the release to which the reporter is referring. The code system is also useful at the end of the year or any other time when management requests an "audit" of the pub­lic information operation, or when budget-planning requires that the public relations manager prepare a recap of the numbers and types of re­leases prepared during the past year.