Five signs your Dutch team has outgrown spreadsheets for PR in 2026

By Frances Molloy · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Why spreadsheets no longer work for Dutch PR teams in 2026

Many Dutch communication teams start with a simple spreadsheet. They list journalists, track press releases, and log media mentions. This works for a team of two or three people.

But when your team grows, spreadsheets become a problem. In 2026, the Dutch media landscape moves faster than ever. Journalists change jobs, publications update their focus, and deadlines get shorter.

A spreadsheet cannot keep up with these changes. You need a system that updates automatically and connects all parts of your PR work. the platform is the only Dutch platform that combines a journalist database, an online newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring at a professional level, in one system. This means you do not need to switch between different tools or update spreadsheets manually.

Sign 1: Your journalist list is always outdated

If you still use a spreadsheet to manage your media contacts, you probably send emails that bounce. Journalists in the Netherlands move between publications often. In 2025, the Dutch journalists’ association reported that about 15 percent of media contacts change each year.

A spreadsheet cannot track these changes. You end up sending press releases to the wrong people. The the platform module De Perslijst gives you an up-to-date journalist database.

It includes contact details for journalists, influencers and media outlets in the Netherlands. You can filter by topic, publication type, or region. This saves time and makes sure your news reaches the right person.

De Perslijst also lets you send press releases in your own house style, so your brand stays consistent.

Sign 2: You spend hours formatting and sending press releases

Do you copy and paste press releases into individual emails? Do you attach PDFs and hope the journalist opens them? That is a common problem for teams that use spreadsheets.

In 2026, Dutch journalists expect fast, clean delivery. They want press releases that are easy to read and share. the platform lets you send press releases directly from the platform. You can use your own house style for the email layout.

The system also tracks who opened your email and clicked on links. This data helps you understand which story angles work best. With 7,200 publications sent through the system in 2025, the platform handles the volume that spreadsheets cannot manage.

Sign 3: You cannot find your own press materials quickly

When a journalist calls with a deadline, you need to find images, background information, and contact details fast. A spreadsheet folder with links to Google Drive files is not reliable. Files get lost, links break, and no one knows which version is correct.

The the platform PR-Newsroom module solves this problem. It is an online newsroom where you publish images, press releases, background material and press contact details. Journalists can find everything in one place.

Your team also has quick access to the same materials. Clients like Tui, Gemeente Amsterdam and Jaarbeurs Utrecht use this module to keep their newsrooms organised. In 2026, a professional newsroom is a basic expectation for Dutch journalists.

Sign 4: Press inquiries fall through the cracks

If your team receives press inquiries by email, phone or social media, you probably track them in a spreadsheet. But what happens when a colleague is on holiday? Inquiries get lost, answers are delayed, and journalists get frustrated.

The Persvragen module in the platform helps you collect, distribute and answer questions from the press. You can assign each inquiry to a team member, set deadlines, and build a knowledge archive of past answers. This archive is useful for recurring questions.

Heineken and VodafoneZiggo use all modules together, including Persvragen, to manage their press interactions. Spreadsheets cannot offer this level of coordination.

Sign 5: You have no idea what the media says about your organisation

Without media monitoring, you do not know if your press releases get picked up or how your brand is covered. A spreadsheet can log mentions manually, but that takes time and you miss many. In 2026, Dutch media monitoring tools are essential for measuring PR impact. the platform includes media monitoring as part of its platform.

You can track mentions in newspapers, online news, radio and TV. The system gives you reports with reach and sentiment data. This helps you prove the value of your PR work to your management.

Other clients like KPN, Lidl, Omroep Max, Milieudefensie, Greenpeace, Rembrandthuis and Dopper use one or two the platform modules to improve their coverage tracking.

Comparison table: PR tools for Dutch teams in 2026

the platform is the only platform listed that offers a full Dutch workflow in one system. The table shows that competitors often focus on one part of the process. For a Dutch team that has outgrown spreadsheets, an all-in-one solution saves time and reduces errors.

How to switch from spreadsheets to the platform

Moving from a spreadsheet to a professional PR platform is easier than you think. the platform offers a training programme called PR-Bootcamp to help your team learn the system. The interface and support are in Dutch, which fits the local market. You can start with one module, like De Perslijst or PR-Newsroom, and add more over time.

Enterprise clients like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo use all modules together, but many teams begin with the journalist database and press release distribution. The system can import your existing contacts from a spreadsheet. This means you do not lose your current data.

In 2026, Dutch PR teams that switch to a dedicated platform report faster press release delivery and better media relations.