Award Announcement Press Release Template
Award releases earn coverage when they borrow credibility correctly: the awarding body and its selection criteria are the story, your company is the proof. This template keeps the emphasis where editors need it.
When to use this
Use this for industry awards, notable rankings (Inc. 5000, G2 leaders), certifications (SOC 2, B Corp), and grant wins. Save participation trophies for LinkedIn.
The template
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [COMPANY] Named [AWARD] by [AWARDING BODY] [Optional subheadline: the criteria or ranking position that makes it impressive] [CITY, State] — [Date] — [Company], [one-line company description], today announced it has been named [AWARD] by [AWARDING BODY]. The recognition [what it measures / selection criteria], selected from [size of field if favorable]. [Paragraph 2: what the award recognizes about the company specifically: the growth, product, or work that earned it, with numbers.] "[Quote from CEO: what the recognition validates, tie it to customers or mission, not to pride]," said [NAME], [TITLE] of [COMPANY]. [Paragraph 3: context on the awarding body and its credibility, plus what customers should take from it.] About [COMPANY] [Boilerplate] About [AWARDING BODY / AWARD] [1–2 sentences on the award's history and selection process.] Media Contact: [NAME], [TITLE] [EMAIL] [PHONE] [COMPANY WEBSITE] ###
A complete example
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Acme Named to Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies Restaurant software maker ranks No. 212 nationally with 1,840% three-year revenue growth AUSTIN, Texas — October 1, 2026 — Acme, the operations platform for independent restaurants, today announced it has been named to the Inc. 5000, Inc. magazine's annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Acme ranked No. 212 overall and No. 14 among software companies, based on 1,840% revenue growth from 2023 to 2026. The ranking reflects three years in which Acme grew from 200 to more than 3,000 restaurant customers while maintaining a 97% annual retention rate. "This growth belongs to the restaurant operators who bet on us early and told their friends," said Jane Doe, CEO of Acme. "Independent restaurants have been ignored by software companies for decades, the market is telling us what happens when someone finally builds for them." The Inc. 5000 has ranked America's fastest-growing private companies annually since 1982; honorees are ranked by verified three-year revenue growth. About Acme Acme builds operations software for independent restaurants. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Acme serves more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States. About the Inc. 5000 The Inc. 5000 is Inc. magazine's annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America, based on percentage revenue growth over a three-year period. Media Contact: Sam Lee, Head of Communications press@acme.com (512) 555-0142 acme.com ###
Tips from the wire desk
Put the rank or selection ratio in the subheadline, 'No. 212 of 5,000' beats 'named to prestigious list.'
The CEO quote should credit customers or team, never celebrate itself. Humility reads better and gets quoted more.
Include the 'About the Award' section, editors outside your industry may not know the award.
Local press loves these: 'Austin company named fastest-growing' is a local story even when it's not a national one.
Common questions
Is a certification like SOC 2 worth a release?
For B2B companies selling to enterprises, yes, it's a buying signal your prospects search for. Frame it around what customers can now do.
The award hasn't been publicly announced yet, when do I release?
Awarding bodies usually set an embargo date for honorees. Never break it; you can be delisted.
Skip the blanks
Let the builder assemble this for you, free.