The intentional attraction of interest in an initial public offering (IPO) before an issuing company files a registration statement. Companies intending to issue new securities are prohibited from making any public announcements about their intention to go public for 30 days before the filing of the registration statement. Until the prospectus (form S-1) is filed with the relevant authorities, the issuer is not allowed to make any official statements about its plans to go public. Usually, securities and exchange authorities impose a cooling-off period on violating companies, and may even ban the underwriters from participating in the deal.