What Is MNA's Press Release Service and How Does It Work?

Updated

The Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) operates a press release service as one of its core member-facing functions, alongside advertising placement and legislative representation. According to MNA's own description, the association manages "local/regional/national newspaper advertising placement" and "operat[es] a press release service" on behalf of Minnesota's general-interest newspapers. If you have news to distribute to Minnesota newspapers, MNA's press release service is the entry point listed on mna.org — but the site does not publish detailed submission mechanics, pricing, or turnaround times, so you'll need to contact MNA directly to confirm how it fits your needs.

What the service is

MNA is a voluntary trade association of general-interest news organizations across Minnesota. Its stated mission is to advance the profession, defend the public's right to know, and help members better serve their communities. The press release service is one of several distribution and advertising functions MNA runs centrally so individual newspapers don't have to build those pipelines themselves.

The service sits alongside related MNA offerings listed on the site, including:

  • Ad Placement Service — placement of advertising across local, regional, and national newspaper networks
  • Statewide Advertising Networks — coordinated ad buys across member papers
  • Public Notice Resources — guides and information for public notice placement
  • Job Bank & Classifieds — classified and employment listings

Together these form MNA's distribution layer: a way for outside organizations to reach Minnesota's newspaper audience through a single association rather than negotiating with each paper individually.

How it likely works, based on the site

MNA's homepage lists "Press Release Service" as a navigable resource, which indicates there is a dedicated page or contact path for it. The site does not, however, spell out the submission form, word limits, formatting requirements, distribution list, or fees. What can be confirmed from the site:

Question What mna.org shows
Who runs it Minnesota Newspaper Association
What it does Distributes press releases to Minnesota newspapers
Where to start The "Press Release Service" link on mna.org
Cost Not stated on the site
Eligibility Not stated — could be members, the public, or both
Turnaround Not stated

Because these details aren't published, treat the service as something to confirm by contacting MNA before you rely on it for a time-sensitive announcement.

How to get started

  1. Go to mna.org and locate the "Press Release Service" entry in the site navigation or resource list.
  2. Read whatever page it opens. If the page only offers a contact form or phone number, that's your submission channel.
  3. Contact MNA directly to ask the practical questions the site doesn't answer:
    • Is the service open to non-members, or members only?
    • What is the cost, if any?
    • What formats and lengths are accepted?
    • Which newspapers receive the release, and how quickly?
    • Is there a deadline or lead time?
  4. Prepare your release in standard news format (headline, dateline, lead paragraph, body, boilerplate, contact info) so it's ready once you know the requirements.
  5. Submit through the channel MNA specifies and confirm receipt.

MNA's contact details, listed on the site, are:

  • Phone: (612) 332-8844
  • Toll-free: (800) 279-2979
  • Fax: (612) 342-2958
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: 10 South Fifth Street, Suite 1105, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1036

What to watch for

  • Don't assume it's free. The site lists no pricing for the press release service, and no payment platform is referenced. Absence of a price is not evidence of a free service — confirm before submitting.
  • Don't assume it's open to everyone. MNA is a member association; some resources are labeled "Members Only" on the site, while others (like the newspaper directory and public notice guides) appear public. The press release service's eligibility isn't stated.
  • Don't expect a wire service. MNA describes itself as distributing to Minnesota's general-interest newspapers, not to a national wire. If your target is national, this likely isn't the right channel.
  • Check the related services too. If your goal is paid promotion rather than editorial coverage, MNA's Ad Placement Service or Statewide Advertising Networks may be the better fit — a press release service typically aims at editorial consideration, not guaranteed placement.

The bottom line

MNA's press release service is a real, listed function of the association, positioned as a way to distribute news to Minnesota newspapers through one central organization. The site confirms it exists and points you to it, but leaves the operational details — cost, eligibility, format, reach, and timing — unstated. Your next step is a direct inquiry to MNA at [email protected] or (612) 332-8844 to get those specifics before you build a distribution plan around it.