Hush-hush material

I’ve had a few interesting emails recently containing embargoed information. Food is not, some might think, a subject that really lends itself to hush-hush material but sometimes there are legitimate reasons such as awards announcements or competition-sensitive launches.

However, if a PR is to send either the information itself with a clear embargo notice or an advance note gauging interest, could they please adhere to a couple of guidelines (and I can’t believe I’m the only journalist to think this):

Please give us enough notice to make space in our schedules, should the material merit it. I got an email yesterday for a launch tomorrow… Even on a newspaper, we have features lined up ready to go to press and just can’t switch things in and out on a dime (plus who’s got huge teams of writers ready to process the material into a feature in an hour these days?)

If you send the teaser and I respond positively, do actually follow through. I was sent notice that I could find out the winner of a forthcoming food/drink award under embargo and said yes, it would make a good lead feature. Then, only delays and silence. The opportunity has passed and if they got a better offer elsewhere, at least have the courtesy to tell me.

I’m not by any means perfect – I received under-embargo advance information on a report from a major retailer and in the deadline melee, forgot to get back to the PR in question in a timely fashion, so in those circumstances I would expect them to go elsewhere as I totally understand they want coverage. Again, just let me know (and please know I feel bad about it)…