VNR-1 Communications

VNR-1 Communications is a Texas-based video production firm that offers video news releases (VNRs), audio news releases (ANRs), satellite media tours, radio media tours, public service announcements, media training, podcasting, business video productions, Hispanic productions, network syndications and distribution, according to its website. 

VNR-1 is a founding member of the VNR lobby group, the National Association of Broadcast Communicators.

Fake radio news
In a PR Week December 2006 "PR Toolbox" column, VNR-1's Christopher Sweet offered some helpful hints for placing audio news releases (ANRs), the radio cousin of VNRs. "The use of guaranteed airings has become an attractive option for clients," said Sweet. With "guaranteed airings," he explained, "spot time is purchased, but the ANR airs in its entirety during a prime-time news segment. The result is an airing which is sufficiently embedded in news programming and garners all the potential audience numbers the network of choice has to offer." Sweet suggested that interested companies hire "broadcast PR vendors with strong radio-network relationships" to find a "guaranteed airings system that suits your concept and budget." Neither Sweet nor PR Week mentioned listeners' right to know that such segments are sponsored PR material. 

Clients
VNR-1's clients include (longer list here):
 * Hewlett-Packard
 * Lockheed Martin
 * Microsoft
 * Verizon
 * ExxonMobil
 * Miller Brewing Company
 * Panasonic
 * PepsiCo
 * Procter & Gamble
 * Southwest Airlines
 * Burger King
 * Pizza Hut
 * RadioShack
 * Taco Bell
 * Harrah's Entertainment
 * Boy Scouts of America
 * Focus on the Family
 * Susan G. Komen Foundation
 * Republican Party of Texas
 * Johnson & Johnson
 * Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
 * Bates Churchill
 * Bates Southwest
 * BSMG
 * Burson Marsteller
 * Cairns and Associates
 * Cooksey PR
 * Dome Communications
 * Edelman Public Relations
 * Fleishman-Hillard, Inc
 * Hill and Knowlton
 * J Walter Thompson
 * Ketchum Public Relations
 * Lobsenz-Stevens Public Relations
 * Public Strategies, Inc.
 * Richards/Gravelle
 * Shandwick Public Relations
 * The Evans Group
 * Vollmer
 * Weber Shandwick

Contact details
VNR-1 Communications, Inc 711 Stadium Drive, Suite 210 Arlington, Texas 76011 Telephone: (800) 937-8671 (YES-VNR1) Local: 817-794-0555 Fax: 817-794-0552 Web: http://www.vnr1.com/default.asp VNR-1's video channel on GoFish.com

SourceWatch resources

 * Audio news releases
 * B-Roll
 * Branded Entertainment
 * Covert propaganda
 * Fake TV news
 * Federal Communications Commission, the FCC
 * infomercial
 * Media releases
 * National Association of Broadcast Communicators
 * Radio Media Tours
 * Public Service Announcements
 * Satellite Media Tours
 * Video news releases