BALTIMORE, MD (August 14, 2007) -- The current issue of PR Week magazine contains advice on online press rooms from Maryland PR firm Sawmill Marketing Public Relations of Baltimore. The tips are featured in the magazine's weekly "PR Toolbox" column.

PR Week Question: Is it a good idea to create a password-protected Web site press room?

Answer: "Many companies have password-protected sites for their online press rooms," says public relations specialist Jeffrey A. Davis of Baltimore PR firm Sawmill Marketing Public Relations, "but for most organizations, such a technique does more harm than good."

At a recent National Press Club media conference in Washington, D.C., Davis says that AP Broadcast's Mark Hamrick emphasized that easy accessibility to sources is key to scoring news coverage, and that means making sure your site can be perused by those on deadline.

"Sometimes it's maddening," said Hamrick, describing instances when he's gone online to get information, but has been asked to walk through a registration process and sign up for a user name and password - and then wait for an e-mail confirmation.

When reporters on deadline encounter such sites, many will move on to someone more willing to post the information, Davis says. Password-protected sites might keep competitors and the general public out, but they prevent reporters from obtaining information about your company, too.

About Sawmill Marketing Public Relations

Sawmill Marketing Public Relations, headquartered in Baltimore, was established in 1995 and specializes in the development and execution of marketing public relations programs as business development strategies for business-to-business, business-to-consumer and professional services clients. For additional information, visit http://www.sawmillmarketing.com.

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