Media PR #2: NDA and Embargo -- There IS a difference

One of the more annoying young-pup mistakes I run into far too frequently is the abuse of the term "NDA" - Non-Disclosure Agreement." It is confused with the more appropriate word "embargo."

It annoys me. It is almost as annoying as Adobe Acrobat press releases. It demonstrates a lack of understanding of the terms by PR "professionals" that makes me wonder why they are charging their clients so much money.

I make my point yet?

NDA - A NDA is a formal document, running into one or more sheets of paper, reviewed and vetted by lawyers, requiring signature by the company and an external party, typically threatening lawsuits and other sorts of legal evil if corporate trade secrets are revealed by the external party, with various exceptions that would, of course, cost lots of money in court.

Embargo - An informal agreement applied to press releases sent in advance. The media establishment (i.e. writer, editor, whatever) agrees not to send out or write about the press release before some date CLEARLY PRINTED on the document.  Basically, the reporter agrees not to talk about the news before a certain date; after that, it's fair game.

Everyone in the media industry understands what an embargo is. It's annoying to have a PR flack request some sort of e-mail acknowledgment BEFORE the release is sent. (And frankly, releases sent this way just aren't that EXCITING when you actually get them and read them).

Summary

NDA - Is not something to be used for press releases or other information shared with the media

Embargo - Applied to press releases sent before a certain release date. Means the media outlet will sit on them until a certain date/time.