A press kit, often referred to as a media kit in business environments, is a pre-packaged set of promotional materials of a person, company, or organization distributed to members of the media

Mass media

Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...

 for promotional

Promotion (marketing)

Promotion is one of the four elements of marketing mix . It is the communication link between sellers and buyers for the purpose of influencing, informing, or persuading a potential buyer's purchasing decision....

 use. They are often distributed to announce a release or for a news conference

News conference

A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. A joint press conference instead is held between two or more talking sides.-Practice:...

.

Uses

Press kits are commonly used for:

• Product launches
• New company launch
• Mergers and acquisitions
• News conferences
• Large events / Industry trade shows

Common components

• Backgrounder with historical information on the company or individual
• Fact sheet listing specific features, statistics, or benefits
• Biographies of key executives, individuals, artists, etc.
• Past press coverage
• Photos or other images (high resolution) of key executives, logos, products, etc.
• A press release
  News release
  A press release, news release, media release, press statement or video release is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something ostensibly newsworthy...
  
   detailing the current news the media kit is sent in reference to
• Media contact information (usually of a public relations
  Public relations
  Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
  
   department or spokesperson)
• A CD, DVD, software title, video, etc. as appropriate for the sender of the release
• Collateral advertising material, such as: postcard, flier, newspaper ad, etc.

Band press kits

Press kits are a common promotional tool used by musicians when launching a new album. Band

Band (music)

In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...

press kits often have their own unique set of components, including:

• Band biography / History of the band
• CD
• Color photos (many corporate photos are done in black and white for newspaper print purposes)
• Contact information for the band's label, manager, publicist, or other representative
• Discography (all previous albums released by the band)
• Equipment list (if the kit is being sent to live music venue)