Business Wire is the first news wire to distribute news via
Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML), it was announced today
by Cathy Baron Tamraz, president and CEO of the company.
XHTML is recognized as the industry standard language for online
publishing and combines the best qualities of HTML (designed to
display data) with XML (which describes the data). It is flexible for
multiple platforms (net access via computers, cell phones or hand-held
devices) and works on the current World Wide Web as well as the next
generation (Web 2.0).
"XHTML enables Business Wire members to stylize and optimize their
news," said Tamraz. "This will enable PR and IR professionals to have
more control of the look and feel of their news release."
The most obvious features of XHTML are quite visible as they
pertain to the formatting of a news release and include the ability
to:
-- Bold, italicize, underline text
-- Control text alignment: centering headlines, for example
-- Utilize bullet points
-- Embed SmartLinks (hyperlinked keywords/anchor text)
-- Superscript/subscript text and footnote marks
-- Support wider financial tables
-- Create subhead headlines
-- Support unique language font characters
-- Support special font characters
Another benefit of XHTML is its relationship to content
optimization. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) professionals recommend
stylizing content as one part of improving visibility on the web.
Adding a few well placed, pertinent SmartLinks and including bolded
text when applicable are two such methods cited by these experts.
All a Business Wire member has to do to take advantage of the
XHTML newsfeed is simply format the styles and SmartLinks in a word
processing, spreadsheet or other application and submit it via
Business Wire Connect. The accepted styles then will be transmitted
over Business Wire. The $95 value for XHTML is currently being offered
to Business Wire members at no charge.
Business Wire XHTML newsfeeds display on sites that accept this
format, such as BusinessWire.com and Google.
About Business Wire
Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1961
by Chairman Lorry I. Lokey, veteran journalist and public relations
executive. Cathy Baron Tamraz is president and CEO.
The company's multi-channel delivery network, with access to some
60 international and national news agencies, financial information
providers and Web-based news services throughout North America,
Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, provides
real-time, simultaneous access to key audiences - the news media,
trade publications, institutional and individual investors,
business-to-business decision-makers and consumers.
Business Wire electronically disseminates some 1,000 full-text
news releases daily to the media, the Internet, online services and
databases, and the global investment community in 150 countries in 45
languages. Business Wire has 24 U.S. offices, Paris, Frankfurt,
London, Brussels, Tokyo and Sydney offices, and reciprocal offices
throughout the world. Additional information can be found at
www.BusinessWire.com.
