Skip to content
The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAgency & IndustryEmbargo

Agency & Industry

Embargo

An agreement that journalists receive news early but won't publish until a specified date and time.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

An embargo is an agreement under which journalists receive news early but will not publish it until a specified date and time. Embargoes give reporters time to research and prepare accurate stories, while letting companies coordinate coverage around announcements. They rely on trust, and breaking one can damage relationships between press and source.