Dino Baskovic Can’t Lose

The absurdity of embargoes (via Newsvetter.com)

via newsvetter.com

A mildly arrogant critique on the time-dishonored PR tradition of press release embargoes from Mike Yamamoto, founder of CNET News.com — but then again, I am just as arrogant.

If there's one subject that will always elicit a frothing response from me, along with politics and sports, it's embargoes. Whether it's the kind that restricts news or bans Cuban cigars, I would rise from my deathbed to vilify either atrocity.

In a nutshell, an embargo is a time stamp affixed to a press release or other official statement that tells the media "thou shalt not report upon until thy time stamp hath passed."  For years, the press halfheartedly agreed to the practice, but these days it's akin to post-dating a check. The all-too-tempted recipient will just cash it regardless of what you or the bank say, and you will suffer the consequences.

Quite frankly, I believe embargoes still have their place, given the right relationship with the right reporter. There is something to be said about offering exclusives. Then again, I've had editors break embargoes over reporters' heads, and bloggers flatly admonish the practice. That said, I don't bother with them anymore. Way too risky when a well-intentioned embargo could turn corporate communications into crisis communications.

Tags » blogging embargo media relations public relations

• 2 November 2009
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