NEW YORK and LANHAM, Md., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Billboard, the premier source of music, video and digital entertainment news, charts, reviews and analysis, and Vocus, Inc. , a global leader in web-based software for public relations and online visibility and the provider of the PRWeb press release newswire, today launched Billboard Publicity Wire, a major entertainment and music promotion press release service. The service can be accessed from the Biz Tools menu on Billboard.com and the Resources menu on Billboard.biz.

"Billboard Publicity Wire fills a void that has existed in the entertainment industry for a highly effective yet affordable way to gain immediate exposure," said John Kilcullen, President and Publisher of Billboard Information Group. "From the largest record, film, and consumer product companies to the newest emerging artists, Billboard Publicity Wire provides publicity and online visibility for all."

Billboard Publicity Wire uses Vocus' specialized team of PRWeb editors and proprietary SEO tools to help ensure that press releases receive maximum exposure. It also uses various techniques to direct press release readers to one's web site and to increase the site's search engine rank. After a release has been distributed, the sender can view a variety of graphical reports that show how many times it was opened, downloaded and printed; which search engines and search terms were used to find it; and a geographic breakdown of readers.

"At a price that everyone can afford, Billboard Publicity Wire guarantees widespread distribution that reaches all types of traditional and social media," said Matthew Siegal, Vice President of Business Development of Vocus, Inc. "It leverages Billboard's influence and industry expertise and the proven effectiveness of Vocus' PRWeb direct-to-consumer SEO platform."

Press releases are indexed by major search engines and published on myriad news and entertainment sites including Yahoo News, eMediaWire and PRWeb. They are also syndicated through more than 20,000 Billboard Publicity Wire and PRWeb RSS feeds that get re-published on thousands of web sites that collectively reach millions of consumers and journalists daily. The service also produces and distributes podcasts that can be attached to press releases with photos and electronic media kits.

In addition to guaranteeing widespread distribution of press releases, Billboard Publicity Wire is a source of web site content and story leads for media outlets and journalists. At no charge, webmasters and online editors can subscribe to an array of targeted, royalty-free RSS feeds and re-publish headline links to press releases and any associated photos, podcasts and electronic media kits.

Billboard Publicity Wire offers three levels of service ranging from $80 to $200 per release. The $200 option includes production and distribution of a three-minute podcast. Payment is by credit card and there are no membership fees, setup charges or hidden costs.

About Billboard

Now in its 111th year, Billboard is the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events and brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends. Billboard is the flagship property for the Billboard Information Group, which also consists of Billboard.biz, Billboard.com, Billboard Chart Alert, Billboard Information Network (BIN), Billboard Directories, Billboard Books, Billboard Licensing & Events and Radio & Records. Billboard's many strategic partners include Fox-TV, Microsoft, Hands-On Mobile, Reuters, Sirius Satellite Radio, Telemundo, Univision Radio, ABC Radio Networks, Azteca America, BigChampagne and Billboard sister companies Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. These partnerships leverage Billboard's proprietary data, charts and information resources to develop broadcast entertainment, digital and mobile platforms and contextual commerce applications that expand Billboard's franchise and consumer reach.

About Vocus, Inc.

Vocus is a leading provider of on-demand software for corporate communications and public relations. Our web-based software suite helps organizations of all sizes manage local and global relationships and communications with journalists, analysts, public officials and other key audiences. Our software helps customers manage media relations, news monitoring and analysis, interactive email campaigns, online newsrooms, and government relations activities. Vocus software is delivered as an easy-to-use and cost-effective annual subscription, with no need for internal hardware, software or IT support. Our software is currently available in five languages, and is in use by customers around the world. Vocus is based in Lanham, MD with offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains "forward-looking" statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "may," "will," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "should," "seeks," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described in Vocus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Matthew Siegal of Vocus, Inc. +1-301-683-6065

Web site: http://www.vocus.com/