Business Studies Course - Marketing
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Preparing a press release - Functions

Read this press release and then answer the questions opposite (questions 1 - 8). Check with "Answers" at the bottom of the page.


Press Release


N.E. wear launch hampered by supply shortages.

So far it has been available to a few film stars, but from Saturday, N.E. wear leisure clothing goes on sale in large department stores across the nation. If pre-launch orders are any guide, the first items will not be on the shelves very long before they are snapped up by eager buyers.

The amount of clothing being offered for sale looks like falling well short of demand because N.E. wear can't get enough fabric. Sales manager Steve Jones explained that Hapman,'s parent company, which has been supplying family clothing for 73 years, needed new suppliers for N.E. wear fabrics.

"The fabrics for N.E. wear come from east Asian companies, and we are struggling to find enough companies that meet our standards in terms of quality, price and ethical management" he said. "We have turned down offers from companies with one or two of these qualities, but N.E. wear as a brand is not going to compromise, even if it means that we make less clothing than we could do otherwise."

Mr Jones admitted that N.E. wear had not been able to supply all retailers with the quantity of goods that they had requested, but denied that they were favouring any particular retailers at the expense of others. He also admitted that N.E. wear were considering setting up some outlets exclusively for the brand, but said these plans were still on the drawing board.

When asked whether N.E. wear was positioning itself as fashion or as leisure clothing, Mr Jones was in no doubt. "N.E. wear is leisure clothing which happens to be fashionable. But first and foremost, N.E. wear is clothing you can take to the great outdoors and be confident it won't let you down. We would not compromise that just to follow a trend."


If you have any queries, or would like to know more about the information contained in this release, please contact Sandra Sean
33 Stilwell Av. 102 3GW Tel 01223 783412 Fax 01223 78400 www.xverityx.com e-mail sandra.sean@xverityx.com

 

1. Which question word is not answered by the first paragraph?
a. What.   
b. Where.   
c. When.   
d. Why.   

2. What does the first paragraph stress?
a. The launch.   
b. N.E. wear's popularity.   
c. Film stars wear N.E. wear.   
d. Supply shortages.   

3. Does the release say that film stars wear N.E. wear?
a. Yes of course.   
b. Certainly not.   
c. It suggests that they do.   
d. It's just a metaphor.   

4. What is the main message for readers?
a. Hurry up and buy.   
b. N.E. wear is not fashion.   
c. N.E. wear fabrics are running out.   
d. N.E. wear does not compromise.   

5. What does the third paragraph not say about N.E. wear?
a. It is ethical.   
b. It is cheap.   
c. It is uncompromising.   
d. It can't get enough fabric.   

6. What 'background' are readers not given?
a. Release date.   
b. Associated products.   
c. Cost.   
d. Company information.   

7. Why are problems with retailers hinted at?
a. Because this is news.   
b. To make the release 500 words long.   
c. As a marketing tactic.   
d. To promote N.E. wear outlets.   

8. To what media might this release be sent?
a. Fashion magazines.   
b. Business journals.   
c. Family magazines.   
d. All of the above.   

ANSWERS