Cision
Detailed Description
Cision is a leading public relations (PR) and earned media software company that provides a suite of services designed to help PR professionals manage media outreach, monitor coverage, and analyze campaign performance.
With its AI-powered platform, Cision enables users to identify key media contacts, distribute press releases, track media mentions across various channels, and measure the impact of their communications strategies. Serving a global clientele, Cision's tools are tailored to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of PR and corporate communications teams.
Key Features
- Media Database: Access an extensive, up-to-date database of journalists, influencers, and media outlets to streamline targeted outreach efforts.
- Press Release Distribution: Utilize PR Newswire, a Cision subsidiary, to distribute press releases to a vast network of media outlets and newsrooms, ensuring broad visibility.
- Media Monitoring: Monitor over 100 million sources across 190 countries and 96 languages, including print, online, broadcast, and social media, to stay informed about brand mentions and industry trends.
- Analytics and Reporting: Leverage AI-driven analytics to assess the reach and impact of PR campaigns, providing insights into audience engagement and sentiment.
- Social Media Management: Manage and analyze social media interactions to enhance brand presence and engage effectively with audiences.
- Connectively: Platform for experts to pitch stories to journalists (free and paid tiers).
- CisionOne Platform: Unified PR suite for outreach, database access, monitoring, and analytics.
- PRWeb: Budget option for SEO-focused distribution to digital outlets.
Pros and Cons
Pros: ✅
- Comprehensive Media Monitoring: Offers extensive coverage across various media types, providing a holistic view of brand mentions.
- Integrated Press Release Distribution: PR Newswire integration facilitates wide dissemination of press releases.
- Robust Analytics: AI-powered tools deliver in-depth insights into campaign performance and audience sentiment.
- Trusted brand with a long market history.
- All-in-one platform for PR management.
Cons: ❌
- User Interface: Some users find the platform's interface less intuitive, which may affect the user experience.
- Data Accuracy: There are occasional concerns about the accuracy and reliability of media contact information.
- Cost: The platform's pricing structure may be prohibitive for smaller organizations or individual practitioners.
Pricing Information
CisionOne Platform:
- Estimated range: $7,200 – $30,000+/year depending on users, features, and negotiation.
- Median price (per Vendr): ~$12,729/year.
Media Database (Standalone):
~$5,700 – $6,000/year (based on older data).
PRWeb Distribution (Per Release):
- Basic: $99–$110-
- Standard: $205–$230
- Advanced: $305–$340
- Premium: $405–$455
Connectively:
- Free tier (10 pitches), paid from $19–$149/month based on pitch volume.
User Feedback
- G2: ~4.0/5 (CisionOne); ~3.9/5 (PR Newswire); praised for reach but criticized for UI and cost.
- TrustRadius: PRWeb rated 3.7/10—low satisfaction, poor support.
- Reddit/Crowd Sources: Frequent complaints on support, contract terms, and pricing opacity.
- Common Themes: High praise for PR Newswire distribution; widespread frustration with platform usability, database quality, and service.
Users appreciate Cision's comprehensive monitoring capabilities and the breadth of its media database. The integration with PR Newswire for press release distribution is also highlighted as a significant advantage. However, some users have reported challenges with the platform's user interface and have raised concerns about the accuracy of contact information. Additionally, the cost of the service is noted as a potential drawback for smaller entities.
