Yes, Press Release and Article Submission are still Useful in my point of view, If you are using unique content.
I think article & press release submission both are successful SEO link-building strategy and effective to get good rank in google search engine.
No right now article submission is no use, press releases is useful but i think almost all the sites have a premium option that means paid.
I think quality of content must be unique and work with high PR sites.
Yes without any dought. Both are best source for getting traffic.