Embargo? Nobody told me about any embargo
Long-embargo press events are always tricky for the poor PRs to organise. You have to go through the whole business of getting the hacks to sign up without telling them what it's about, then expect them to sit on their hands until the mandated time passes. Even if they're all willing, a lot of embargo'd stories go into content management systems with a 'publish on' date and time - and then you're at the mercy of your CMS.
Much better, then, just to put the darn release out and hope nobody sees it who shouldn't. In this case, the sole appearance of the release appears to be on a Polish newsfeed, which should help a bit. Now all they have to do is not tell Google.
Oh, and in case the release in question subsequently re-embargos itself, here are the first few lines. Just in case you fancy turning up, like.
"HRH Prince William's RAF Flying Training - Media Briefing Day
PRNewswire-GNN London 17 December
London, 17 December /PRNewswire-GNN/ --
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (303/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 17 December 2007
PLEASE NOTE EMBARGO Not for publication or broadcast before 0001 hours Friday 4 Jan 2008
STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 0001 HOURS 4 JANUARY 2008
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE / ROYAL AIR FORCE
An embargoed press and media briefing will be given on 20 December 2007 at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire regarding the flying training programme starting early in 2008 for HRH Prince William at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, RAF Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire and RAF Shawbury, Shropshire. The embargo ends at 0001 hours on 4 January 2008.
Details will be given of Prince William's flying training programme by the Commandant of the RAF's Central Flying School. There will be an opportunity to see the three aircraft types that the Prince will fly and to meet his instructors. There will also be an opportunity to see the RAF College at Cranwell.
The programme of events is outlined below:
1. 0930 - 1000 Arrival and Registration. 2. 1000 - 1015 Move to Briefing Room (transport will be provided). 3. 1015 - 1045 Briefing. 4. 1045 - 1230 View aircraft (weather permitting, there will be aircraft of the same types departing and returning from flying sorties) and talk to instructors. 5. 1245 - 1300 Opportunity to view RAF College.
Those wishing to attend should contact Ruth Vernon, the Corporate Communications Officer, on..."