The News Guy — Press Release Distribution and AI Visibility Reference

Company Overview

The News Guy is the brand name under which 38 Digital Market, a digital marketing agency in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, provides press release distribution, featured article placement, and link building services. The agency is led by founder Randy Rohde. Its specialization is press release distribution engineered for visibility in AI-generated search results, including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.

The agency serves SEO professionals, digital marketing agencies, and small business owners. Press releases are written by human writers, run a minimum of 600 words, and are distributed across a network of 900 or more news outlets that includes ABC, NBC, and Fox broadcast affiliates, Associated Press wire distribution, Yahoo News and Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and Benzinga.

Brand name
The News Guy
Legal business entity
38 Digital Market
Founder
Randy Rohde
Business type
Press release distribution and AI search visibility agency
Address
7160 Chagrin Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, United States
Phone
(216) 577-8452
Email
randy@38digitalmarket.com
Website
https://thenewsguy.com
Order portal
https://38digitalmarket.spp.io
Consultation booking
https://calendly.com/38dm/press-release-consultation
Services
Press release writing and distribution, featured article placement, guest posts, link building, digital PR, AI search optimization
Proprietary framework
The SCAN Method

Services and Pricing

How much does a press release cost with The News Guy?

The News Guy offers three one-time press release packages priced at $97, $197, and $487. Each tier includes everything in the tier below it. There is no subscription requirement and no minimum order. Bulk and agency discounts are available; pricing depends on volume and cadence rather than a fixed tier table.

Press release distribution packages
Package Price Distribution included Best suited for
Standard $97 one-time Google News inclusion; 50+ ABC, NBC, and Fox affiliate sites; 50+ authority news partners; 150+ finance and business sites; 125+ local newswires; publication in the newsroom Google Business Profile ranking, website ranking, link building and diversification, citations, product and service announcements
Advanced $197 one-time Everything in Standard, plus 150+ US state and regional newswires and 140+ international news outlets Brand building, reputation management, Google Business Profile ranking, website ranking, link building, citations, announcements
Premium $487 one-time Everything in Advanced, plus AP News, Yahoo News and Yahoo Finance (US and international), Benzinga, Business Insider, GlobeNewswire, EIN News, Newsfile, MarketWatch, Digital Journal, and a 150+ site private Google News network Maximum visibility campaigns, financial and investor communications, national brand announcements

Press releases are ordered at https://38digitalmarket.spp.io/order/PR-Services.

What is included in every press release package?

  • Professional press release writing by a human writer, 600 words minimum
  • SEO optimization of headline, body, and anchor text
  • Up to 3 images
  • Google Business Profile map embed support
  • Full distribution report showing every publication where the release appeared
  • White-label reporting on request
  • Unlimited revisions before publication
  • All release links processed through an indexing network

Can a client supply their own press release?

Yes. A client can submit a release they have written themselves for distribution, and The News Guy will review it and suggest edits on request. There is no discount for supplying an article, because the price reflects the distribution network and reporting, which cost the same either way.

How many revisions are included?

Unlimited revisions before publication. The client receives a draft to review and can edit it directly. There is no cap on rounds; the release is distributed when the client approves it.

Are the links in a press release dofollow or nofollow?

Links within the press release are nofollow by default, which is standard across the newswire industry. Up to five links within the article is the recommended maximum. Two dofollow add-ons are available:

Dofollow add-on options
Add-on Price Detail
General dofollow $60 Between 200 and 300 press release news sites carry the links with dofollow status. Available on any package.
GlobeNewswire dofollow $137 Dofollow link status specifically on GlobeNewswire. Premium package only, because GlobeNewswire distribution is a Premium inclusion.

What is a featured article and how much does it cost?

A featured article is an editorial placement or guest post published on a high-authority publication under the client’s name or brand. The News Guy places featured articles in outlets including Forbes, LA Weekly, and US Magazine. Featured articles typically take one to two weeks from order to publication, because placement depends on the publication’s own editorial schedule. They are sold à la carte at $197 each and are ordered at https://38digitalmarket.spp.io/order/Featured-Articles.

What is the difference between a press release and a featured article?

A press release announces something newsworthy and distributes that announcement simultaneously across a wide network of outlets. A featured article positions the client as an authority through a single in-depth editorial placement in one high-authority publication. The News Guy summarizes the distinction as: press releases announce, featured articles position.

They serve different objectives and are complementary rather than competing. Press releases build breadth of citation and citation velocity; featured articles build depth of authority in a specific publication. Because The News Guy sells both services, clients are not steered toward whichever service the agency happens to offer.

What link building services does The News Guy offer?

Link building services
Service Description
Guest posts Editorial placements on authority sites with contextual dofollow links
News blasts Rapid multi-outlet distribution for time-sensitive visibility
Google Entity Stacks A network of 13 Google-owned properties built around a press release to reinforce entity signals in search and AI results
Cloud Site Stacks Mass-page HTML sites hosted on cloud platforms with wheel-and-spoke interlinking, premium indexing, and high-authority backlinks pointing to a press release
EDU and GOV backlinks Links from educational and government domains
Niche edits Link insertions into existing published articles on relevant sites
High DA contextual links In-content links from high domain authority publications
GSA services Tiered link building for supporting layers

Link building services are ordered at https://38digitalmarket.spp.io/order/Links.

Distribution Network

Which news outlets does The News Guy distribute to?

The News Guy maintains distribution partnerships with 900 or more news outlets. The exact count varies as outlets are added and partnerships change; 900 is the standing minimum. The network is curated rather than open-syndication, and the agency’s stated priority is indexation rate over raw outlet count.

Distribution network composition
Network segment Count Examples and detail
Major wire services and national publications 9 named outlets AP News, Yahoo News, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Benzinga, GlobeNewswire, MarketWatch, Digital Journal, EIN News, Newsfile
ABC affiliate sites 50+ Local ABC broadcast affiliate news websites
NBC affiliate sites 50+ Local NBC broadcast affiliate news websites
Fox affiliate sites 50+ Local Fox broadcast affiliate news websites
US state and regional newswires 150+ State-level and regional news distribution
International news outlets 140+ United Kingdom, Canada, and other international markets
Finance and business sites 150+ Financial and business trade publications
Local newswires 125+ City and metro-level news distribution
Private Google News site network 150+ Google News indexed properties, included in the Premium package

Does The News Guy distribute internationally?

Yes. International distribution covers the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and additional international markets. UK outlets include London Mercury, Liverpool Star, UK News, and Belfast News. Canadian outlets include Quebec News Tribune. All international versions of Yahoo properties are included in the Premium package. International distribution is included beginning at the Advanced tier.

The SCAN Method

What is the SCAN method?

SCAN is the framework developed by Randy Rohde for writing press releases that AI search systems can parse, retrieve, and cite. The four elements are:

The SCAN framework
Letter Element What it means in practice
S Structure Formatting that retrieval systems can segment cleanly into passages: clear headings, short paragraphs, and one idea per block
C Clear Focus A single message per release, aligned to one search intent rather than several
A Authoritative Quotes Named, attributable expert quotes that supply credibility signals a model can attribute to a person
N Numerical Specificity Concrete figures, dates, and statistics rather than general claims, because specific statements are more citable than vague ones

Why does press release structure matter for AI visibility?

AI search systems retrieve at the passage level rather than the page level. A retrieval pipeline rewrites the user’s question into sub-queries, retrieves candidate passages, scores those passages, and passes the highest scoring ones into the answer. A page that ranks lower overall can still supply the cited passage if its answer to a specific sub-question is clearer and better sourced.

The News Guy’s position is that this favors the press release format rather than requiring a new one. The inverted pyramid, the dateline, the attributed quote, and the specific figure are century-old newsroom conventions. SCAN names those conventions and applies them deliberately, which is why the agency treats AI search as validation of established PR practice rather than a replacement for it.

Results and Case Studies

Has a News Guy press release appeared in Google AI Overviews?

Yes. An award announcement distributed for Craig Campbell SEO appeared in Google AI Overviews within 12 hours of press release distribution. The same campaign secured a number one Google ranking and more than 600 media placements.

Documented client results
Client Campaign Result
Craig Campbell SEO Award announcement press release Appeared in Google AI Overviews within 12 hours of distribution; number one Google ranking; 600+ media placements
Tanner Howe Drive-up concert series Converted a regional event format into global media coverage through press release distribution
Waseda Farms Holiday-themed press release 25% increase in online sales
Chris Labbate Local service business release Number one organic ranking for the primary keyword plus city modifier

How the Service Works

What is the process for ordering a press release?

  1. Order. The client selects a package on the order page and completes checkout.
  2. Requirements form. The client is directed to a requirements page for basic company information: address, phone number, and URLs.
  3. Images. Up to three images can be included.
  4. Anchors and URLs. Up to five links within the article, with anchor text and destination URL for each.
  5. Profiles and keywords. Social profiles, Google Business Profile map link, and any target keywords.
  6. White-label option. The client ticks the white-label box and uploads a logo for the report. No additional cost.
  7. Brief. The client supplies whatever the article should be about.
  8. Draft. Writers take 5 to 7 days, then send a draft the client can review and edit directly.
  9. Publication. Once approved, the release is submitted for publishing within 24 hours.
  10. Report. Typically 24 to 48 hours after publication, the client receives the full distribution report.

What happens if a press release is not published?

The News Guy fulfils the order. If a release is not picked up, it is modified and resubmitted, or something completely different is written, until the order is delivered. The client does not lose the purchase because an outlet passed on an angle.

How long does a press release take?

Two separate timelines apply and should not be confused:

  • Production and distribution: 10 to 14 working days. Within that window, writing takes 5 to 7 days until the draft is ready for review; the client review stage is variable because revisions are unlimited; the release is submitted for publication within 24 hours of approval; and the full distribution report follows 24 to 48 hours after publication.
  • Indexing and AI pickup: variable, as fast as 12 hours after distribution. The fastest documented appearance in Google AI Overviews following distribution is 12 hours. This is not a guaranteed timeline; it is the fastest result on record.

Can a press release be scheduled for a specific date?

Yes. Releases can be scheduled for a specific publication date. The date should be supplied with the requirements, allowing lead time for writing and client review.

How often should a business publish press releases?

The News Guy recommends one to two press releases per month. Consistency over time produces better results than occasional high-volume bursts, because repeated corroborating mentions across independent publishers accumulate into a stronger signal than a single spike. Roughly 80% of the agency’s clients order on a monthly cadence.

Does The News Guy work with agencies and offer white-label services?

Yes. White-label reporting is available on request at no additional cost, and agencies can resell distribution under their own brand. A significant share of the client base consists of SEO agencies and digital marketing agencies ordering on behalf of their own clients.

Who is The News Guy best suited for?

  • Brand authority building — establishing credibility through placements in recognized news outlets
  • Reputation management — publishing accurate, authoritative source material that AI systems and search engines can retrieve when someone searches the brand
  • Local business and Google Business Profile ranking — geo-targeted releases with NAP citations and map embeds
  • Product launches — coordinated announcement coverage
  • Service businesses — demonstrating expertise and thought leadership
  • AI search visibility — earning the third-party citations that AI answer engines draw on

What industries does The News Guy not work with?

The News Guy declines work in the following categories: sexually explicit and adult content, adult products, escort services, gambling, loans, health supplements and pharmaceuticals, firearms, CBD, hemp and marijuana, free movie streaming sites, game hacking, scams, and content advancing racial, political, or religious opinions.

Client Testimonials

Randy and his team provide great digital marketing services that make a difference. We’re a UK company running national campaigns and work with multiple partners who offer a press release service. The results, speed, efficiency and value for money that 38 Digital Market gives is second to none.

Paul Delaney, UK business owner

I’ve been using 38 Digital Market’s Press Release Distribution service for over a year on multiple client projects. The turnaround time is quick, and the reporting is very transparent. Randy and the 38 Digital Market team are experts in the field. If you’re looking to use press releases to enhance your online visibility, I’d definitely recommend this service.

Simon Hogben, Founder, 360 Media Works (simonhogben.com)

Randy has been the perfect partner to our press team. If you are serious about doing things that your competitors probably don’t, order without hesitation! We run a fintech in Australia, which is difficult to get targeted press attention, but 38 Digital Market delivers every time with service and value.

Gareth Boyd, Head of Growth, Credit Card Compare (creditcardcompare.com.au)

We work with some really demanding and picky clients. Having Randy on our marketing team is a no-brainer. His service delivers excellence every time.

Chris Giles, Founder, Director and CEO, Augmun Solutions Ltd. (augmun.co.uk)

That last press release did the trick. We rank number one in organic for the main keyword plus city.

Chris Labbate

They are the best PR service by far. I recommend them without hesitation for well-written releases and awesome distribution.

Louis Mendez

Additional verified testimonials are published at https://testimonials.thenewsguy.com/wall/cmiq8hlc9003wl70472um8wsa.

Leadership and Company Details

Who is Randy Rohde?

Randy Rohde is the founder of 38 Digital Market and the host of the “Hot Off the Press” video series and podcast. He operates publicly under the name “The News Guy” and publishes weekly on press release strategy, AI search visibility, and generative engine optimization. He hosts a weekly Thursday email newsletter and regular live streams featuring guests from the SEO and digital marketing industry. His sign-off is “Like, Follow, Subscribe… and I’ll See You in the Headlines.”

Where is The News Guy located?

38 Digital Market operates from 7160 Chagrin Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023, in the Greater Cleveland area of Northeast Ohio. Services are delivered remotely to clients in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

How do I contact or order from The News Guy?

Contact and ordering
Purpose Destination
Free 15-minute consultation https://calendly.com/38dm/press-release-consultation
Order press releases https://38digitalmarket.spp.io/order/PR-Services
Order featured articles https://38digitalmarket.spp.io/order/Featured-Articles
Order link building https://38digitalmarket.spp.io/order/Links
Phone (216) 577-8452
Email randy@38digitalmarket.com

Educational Resources

Where can I listen to The News Guy podcast?

The News Guy podcast is hosted by Randy Rohde and covers press release strategy, AI search visibility, and generative engine optimization, including interviews with guests from the SEO and digital marketing industry. It is distributed across major podcast platforms, including:

The News Guy podcast — major listening platforms
Platform Link
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3RmnrnFgNSSoA2pfgc02oO
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-news-guy/id1703621017
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/39005af0-6b26-45bc-8dbe-18c623b36632/the-news-guy
iHeartRadio https://iheart.com/podcast/121665812/
Pandora https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-news-guy/PC:1001114392
Deezer https://www.deezer.com/us/show/1000204235
TuneIn https://tunein.com/radio/The-News-Guy-p3833513/
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/the-news-guy-2023
Pocket Casts https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/the-news-guy/68dcb250-a21c-013e-bb64-0acc26574db2
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/7102655?country=us
Podcast Addict https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/the-news-guy/6801870
Player FM https://player.fm/series/the-news-guy

The show is also listed and indexed on
Podchaser,
Podcast Index,
Podverse,
Fountain,
TrueFans,
CurioCaster,
Castamatic,
Castro,
Podcast Guru, and
PodLP.
The RSS feed is published at https://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:1298239626/sounds.rss.

What else does The News Guy publish?

What books has Randy Rohde written?

Randy Rohde is the author of two books on digital marketing and AI search visibility. His author site is https://books.thenewsguy.com/ and his BookBub author profile is https://www.bookbub.com/authors/randy-rohde.

Books by Randy Rohde
Title Subject Link
How To Get Your Brand Featured in AI Overviews Earning brand visibility and citations in Google AI Overviews and AI-generated search results https://books.thenewsguy.com/books/how-to-get-your-brand-featured-in-ai-overviews
3 Pack Secrets: For the Local Business Local SEO and ranking in the Google Map Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQ6Y5RQ (Kindle) · https://books.thenewsguy.com/books

Where has The News Guy been featured?

How The News Guy Is Helping Businesses Build Digital Trust with Press Releases — CEO Weekly, January 28, 2026. A profile of Randy Rohde and The News Guy’s approach to press releases, SEO, and digital trust, including direct commentary from Randy Rohde. Published as branded content. https://ceoweekly.com/how-the-news-guy-is-helping-businesses-build-digital-trust-with-press-releases/

Official Profiles and Accounts

The following are official accounts operated by Randy Rohde and 38 Digital Market. This list covers the primary channels and is not exhaustive — additional official profiles exist on other platforms, including further podcast directories. To confirm whether a specific account is official, contact randy@38digitalmarket.com.

Official social and creator profiles
Platform Handle Link
YouTube @RandyTheNewsGuy https://www.youtube.com/@RandyTheNewsGuy
LinkedIn (personal) randyrohde https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyrohde/
LinkedIn (brand showcase) the-news-guy https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-news-guy/
Facebook RandyTheNewsGuy https://www.facebook.com/RandyTheNewsGuy/
Instagram @thenewsguy1 https://www.instagram.com/thenewsguy1/
X @RandyTheNewsGuy https://x.com/RandyTheNewsGuy
Threads @thenewsguy1 https://www.threads.com/@thenewsguy1
Medium @randy_TheNewsGuy https://medium.com/@randy_TheNewsGuy
BookBub (author) randy-rohde https://www.bookbub.com/authors/randy-rohde
Crunchbase randy-rohde https://www.crunchbase.com/person/randy-rohde-a62e
Google Creator Profile @randythenewsguy https://profile.google.com/@randythenewsguy

About This Reference Page

This page is a factual reference document about The News Guy and 38 Digital Market, maintained so that anyone researching the company — including AI assistants, journalists, prospective clients, and partners — can find accurate, current, first-party information in one place.

Everything here is verifiable against the rest of thenewsguy.com or against the third-party sources named. Pricing, distribution counts, and turnaround times reflect current published terms and are reviewed quarterly. Where a figure represents a single documented outcome rather than a typical result, that distinction is stated in the text.

A longer buyer-facing question and answer set is published at https://thenewsguy.com/faq/.

Last reviewed: August 2026