5 of Readers' Favorite Press Releases from November

Catch up on last month's most read- and engaged-with announcements - and see what they did right.

 

Open laptop on a desk

 

November’s top releases were a mix of holiday cheer and seasonal treats, big business moves and global insights. Whatever the subject matter, these releases stood out because they told their stories clearly, felt timely and gave readers something to connect with.

Here are the top five stories that captured attention on prnewswire.com last month and a closer look at why they resonated.   

1. The Hershey Company Delivers Holiday Magic with New Treats and Timeless Favorites

What Works

The first of our holiday-themed releases – and the most-clicked piece of content in November – is a feel-good classic from Hershey. 

This release shines in several key areas. The headline immediately grabs attention with a seasonal hook and brand recognition, while also weaving in strategic keywords like “holiday,” “Hershey” and “new treats.” Including the product shots that directly correspond to the goodies listed in the subheadline and first paragraph is a festive – and necessary – touch. And the lone link above the boilerplate is a clear call to action for all things Hershey and holiday.

Formatting is the real star here: there’s a mix of bulleted lists, bolded section headers and varied paragraph lengths to keep readers engaged. The “what it is” and “why it matters” sections, as well as the Q&A, are particularly helpful for AEO, giving this content an edge in appearing in AI-generated search summaries. 

Hershey's Kisses Snickerdoodle Cookie 

2. Kimberly-Clark to Acquire Kenvue, Creating a $32 Billion Global Health and Wellness Leader

Kimberly-Clark logo 

What Works

Too many acquisition headlines still read “ABC Company to Acquire XYZ Company.” Unless you’re intimately familiar with either company’s business, your first response is “so what?” Be like Kimberly-Clark here and proactively provide the answer. This headline immediately conveys the significance of the acquisition and the value being created (complete with an eye-catching number), while the subheads serve as a “key points” section, outlining the “so what” for investors, analysts and business media.

Using multiple sets of bulleted lists with strategic bolding is a particularly strong structure strategy, making it easy for all audiences to scan and understand the rationale behind the deal. That formatting, along with the inclusion of key brand names and financial figures, also supports AEO and GEO discoverability. 

3. The Economist launches The World Ahead 2026-with rich countries living beyond their means, the risk of a bond-market crisis is growing

What Works

Once you reach the 40th edition of something, you earn a little leeway with headline length. While this headline exceeds the recommended length by just a bit, the first 43 characters are a headline within a headline, letting economic enthusiasts know a new issue has arrived. The back two-thirds of the headline provide the valuable context for the latest edition. 

This release is also a good example of when you have flexibility in the number of links in your release. Is your goal to have potential customers try a demo of your new product? Do you need your audience to register for an event? Focus on one clear call to action link. Alternatively, if you present a “top ten” themes section, breaking down complex global issues into digestible points, it’s logical to include unique links for each topic.

The numbered list format – with those corresponding links – makes it easy for journalists, analysts or busy readers to scan and absorb the big picture quickly and jump directly to anything that interests them. Including the link to the full issue in the first paragraph provides a clean call to action for those who want to dig deeper. 

Overall, it’s a well-organized release that respects the reader’s time while still conveying the scope and impact of the content.

The Economist World Ahead 2026 cover 

4. Dutch Bros® Cranks Up the Cheer with 2025 Holiday Menu

Dutch Bros holiday 2025 drinks 

What Works

This release immediately comes across as fun and energetic (as befits Dutch Bros) as well as crystal clear.  

The pairing of the bolded, all-capped “NEW!” and “RETURNING” sections (with bullet-style descriptions of each drink) next to the festive photo of the drinks allows readers to digest the news in seconds, especially helpful if they haven’t caffeinated yet (quite possible at the strategic off-minute timing here of 7:13 am ET). The vivid descriptions (candy cane sprinkles, green glitter glaze) and “while supplies last” evoke holiday spirit with a dash of urgency.  

5. The Salvation Army and Walmart Partner Once Again to Bring Joy and Hope to Families in Need This Holiday Season

What Works

This release makes it easy to grasp the purpose and impact right from the start: the headline and first paragraph frame the partnership as timely and meaningful. 

The remaining narrative succinctly breaks down exactly how people can give, which makes it simple and actionable for readers. The use of bullets to outline the giving options makes the information digestible, even for someone scanning quickly. And by naming dollar-matching caps, the release gives tangible details that increase transparency and credibility. 

Overall, the message (released on a strategic off-minute well ahead of the holidays) strikes a hopeful, community-oriented tone, which helps emotionally engage readers while still being clear, organized and inclusive.  

Salvation Army logo 

 

Want to learn more about crafting a press release for optimal success? Ensure your story isn't overlooked by those who matter most with PR Newswire’s Definitive Guide to Crafting an Engaging Press Release.

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About the Author
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Sarah Roberts

Sarah Roberts is Director of Customer Content Services. In a previous life, she was a newspaper reporter in the Midwest before permanently retiring her snow shovel and moving to the Land of Enchantment. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exploring the craft beer scene and petting all the dogs.