I’ve been part of a team working with the Society of New Communications Research (SNCR) conducting a study into the ROI companies derive from posting press releases online. The study is based on some interviews and a survey. The survey’s been online for a while but time is running short to contribute your thoughts. It only takes a couple minutes. SNCR and I would value your answers.

There’s a benefit to taking the survey, which is sponsored by Vocus, which owns PRWeb, the online press release distribution service: You’ll get a pretty nice discount to the New Communication Forum, which starts next Tuesday in Sonoma. If you’ve been on the fence about coming, the lower price might help tip you over. The survey results will be presented at a special Forum session.

Speaking of the New Communications Forum, not too many people are signed uip for the pre-conference sessions, which offer 3-1/2 hours of in-depth learning on topics ranging from measurement to new media education and training. The sessions are only $249, and discounts are available for corporations and non-profits. (Okay, I admit I have a selfish motivation for promoting the pre-conference sessions: Only a couple people have signed up for the session I’m doing on podcasting with Neville Hobson (who will be participating via Skype from the UK).

I hear that the economy is putting a squeeze on a lot of conference. The Conference Board, for example, is seeing a downturn in registrations (or so I’m told). But a discounted $249 rate for a half-day that goes deep on these topics is hard to beat.

In any case, though, taking the survey is free—plus, you’ll get a copy of the study’s xecutive summary—and will contribute to precisely the kind of knowledge base SNCR was formed to provide.