Embargoes and NDAs are bad enough. The presumptive embargo is worse: where you send embargoed information along with the embargo notice, without first making sure your recipient will agree to honor the embargo at all.
But look! Here’s a new way to screw up: Burying the presumptive embargo way down in in the email signature. And not having a time on it, either.
[Four long paragraphs of pitch…]
I look forward to hearing from you — best,
[Some PR gal]
___________________________
[SOME PR COMPANY NAME]
1.408.[phone #] office
Twitter: [deleted] Skype: [deleted] AIM: [deleted]Please note: all information contained in this email is embargoed until Wednesday, January 25th, 2012.
Well, at least you put the critical bits in red…
Seriously, this is a recipe for a busted NDA and bunch of unhappy clients and journalists. So I’ll just sit back and watch this one explode. Thanks anyway.
Go read these tips!
Pro PR Tip #38: The Presumptive NDA
Pro PR Tip #77: Time warp
Pro PR Tip #98: Make it snappy
Rafe
Pro PR Tips 
Here’s an equally frustrating scenario. A few weeks back I conducted an interview for my “Views from the Executive Suite” column published by Govwin. As we concluded the 20 minute phone call, the person said, “Oh yeah, everything we just talked about is off the record.”
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