Search posterous

Search all posts and users. Type a name, type a favorite song title, whatever! See what comes up.
  

More posterous blogs











More recommended blogs »

Here are posterous posts filed under embargo...

A mildly arrogant critique on the time-dishonored PR tradition of press release embargoes from Mike Yamamoto, founder of CNET News.com — but then again, I am just as arrogant.

If there's one subject that will always elicit a frothing response from me, along with politics and sports, it's embargoes. Whether it's the kind that restricts news or bans Cuban cigars, I would rise from my deathbed to vilify either atrocity.

In a nutshell, an embargo is a time stamp affixed to a press release or other official statement that tells the media "thou shalt not report upon until thy time stamp hath passed."  For years, the press halfheartedly agreed to the practice, but these days it's akin to post-dating a check. The all-too-tempted recipient will just cash it regardless of what you or the bank say, and you will suffer the consequences.

Quite frankly, I believe embargoes still have their place, given the right relationship with the right reporter. There is something to be said about offering exclusives. Then again, I've had editors break embargoes over reporters' heads, and bloggers flatly admonish the practice. That said, I don't bother with them anymore. Way too risky when a well-intentioned embargo could turn corporate communications into crisis communications.

Filed under: embargo

Nacho says...

Hi Katy
Thank you for your response, I thought you were going to help but it seems you can't. I was afraid that was bound to happen
I don't know why I expected help from a company on Microsoft's payroll.
You sent a link for Microsoft technical support, that's not what I need, isn't it obvious?
The main Microsoft telephone numbers you provided just buried my query. I just called those two numbers included in your message and the operators/customer services had no clue where to put me through. Campus number: I need to have a name and surname of a person to be able to be connected, they cannot do anything apart from that. The other number, similar story, and they said they only do product support.
So if a media organization contacted you, it will be ok? Would you listen to bloggers or only official media outlets?
Anyway, thank you very much for you follow-up so far.
Regards
Ignacio


----- Original Message -----
From: Katy Spaulding
To: Ignacio Abella
Cc: RAPID RESPONSE ; ukprteam@microsoft.com
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 4:39 PM
Subject: RE: Microsoft blocks Messenger in Cuba and other US-embargoed countries (open letter)
Hi Ignacio,
Waggener Edstrom is Microsoft's media relations agency and because we work with members of the media only, we are not the appropriate resource for progress in this matter. I encourage you contact Microsoft directly using the numbers below. You might also find the following link helpful.
Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com/Find ways to gain support from Microsoft by searching a knowledge base or contacting the company directly.
Microsoft main campus: 1-425-882-8080Customer Service: 1-800-426-9400
Best,Katy

Katy Spaulding Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Account Coordinator-RRTO: 503.443.7000rrt@WaggenerEdstrom.comkspaulding@WaggenerEdstrom.com

From: Ignacio Abella
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 8:16 AMT
To: Katy Spaulding
Cc: RAPID RESPONSE; ukprteam@microsoft.com
Subject: Re: Microsoft blocks Messenger in Cuba and other US-embargoed countries (open letter)

Hi Katy
Thank you very much for your response.
No, I'm not a member of the press, only a concerned citizen, and I like to express my opinions and seek further information in matters I do not understand.
I contacted you because I thought you might want to look into this.
In the interest of disclosure, I'm a Cuba-born British citizen.
Regardless of the fact that I do not condone certain actions by the Cuban goverment, I firmly believe that neither Microsoft nor the US goverment have the right to subject the Cuban people to any embargo or limitations of use of free products.
By the way, the email address analystq@microsoft.com is not working. I wonder why Microsoft is posting incorrect email address as contact points
Kind regards
Ignacio Abella

----- Original Message -----
From: Katy Spaulding
To: Ignacio Abella
Cc: analystq@microsoft.com ; RAPID RESPONSE ; ukprteam@microsoft.com
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 4:03 PMSubject: RE: Microsoft blocks Messenger in Cuba and other US-embargoed countries (open letter)

Hi Ignacio,
Thanks for your email. I'm happy to look in to this for you. Are you a member of the press? If so, what publication do you write for?
Thanks,Katy

Katy Spaulding Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Account Coordinator-RRTO: 503.443.7000rrt@WaggenerEdstrom.comkspaulding@WaggenerEdstromcom

From: Ignacio AbellaSent:
Friday, May 22, 2009 5:57 AM
To: analystq@microsoft.com; RAPID RESPONSE; ukprteam@microsoft.com
Subject: Microsoft blocks Messenger in Cuba and other US-embargoed countries (open letter)Importance: High

Dear Sir/Madam
I read with distress that Microsoft has decided to block Messenger in Cuba and other US-embargoed countries.
I only have a question: WHY?
It is extremely disappointing to say the least that a company as influential and innovative as Microsoft would make such a move. Microsoft has shown commitment to community and responsibility, and to enhancing communications, so this is very sad.
To quote from the Ars Technica website as seen here http://bit.ly/K2t6
: "Messenger is a medium for communication, and the citizens of these countries should not be punished from such a basic tool because the US has problems with their governments' policies. "
Kind regards
Ignacio Abella

Filed under: Embargo