Embargo
An agreement that a journalist will not publish a story until a specified date and time.
What is a Embargo?
An embargo is an agreement between a PR professional and a journalist that information shared in advance will not be published until a specified date and time. Embargoes allow companies to brief journalists before a public announcement, giving them time to research, write, and prepare a more in-depth story. Breaking an embargo seriously damages a journalist's relationship with the PR source.
How Embargo Relates to PR Outreach
For major product launches, funding announcements, or research releases, embargoed pitches sent through PressPitch.ai allow you to pre-brief key journalists for deeper coverage on launch day.
Best Practices
- Always state the embargo date and time clearly at the top of your pitch.
- Only offer embargoes to journalists with a track record of honoring them.
- Confirm in writing that the journalist has agreed to the embargo before sharing details.
- Keep the embargo duration reasonable: 24–48 hours is typically sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions about Embargo
What happens if a journalist breaks an embargo?
Breaking an embargo is a serious professional violation. Most journalists will issue a public apology. You can choose not to offer that journalist embargo access in future.
When should I use an embargo?
For major announcements where in-depth journalism is valuable: IPOs, major product launches, significant research findings. Not every announcement needs one.
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