An important PSA + new jobs, new opps...

... and ciao for now!

What a birthday month it’s been! First, a divorce party in Vegas (not my own divorce, BTW), then a getaway on assignment in my favorite family-friendly resort in the world, Four Seasons Punta Mita.

Then on Saturday, my twins turned nine and we celebrated with a birthday party at Bowlero. And I’m here to tell you what incredible service and value they offered (to be clear, I paid retail for the party and this isn’t sponsored). I would go back there in a heartbeat — and I’m definitely never going back to having “low-key” parties at the park, which somehow end up costing more and requiring 10 times the effort. Bowlero: 5/5, highly recommend for kids’ and adults’ events!

Now, I turn my attention to the last major event in this exciting month: our big family vacation abroad through Italy and the South of France. (Oh look, another person in your social media feed in Italy — how novel. 🙄) So this newsletter is to say “ciao for now” until after I return in August — along with a new long-lead press opportunity as well as two new jobs below.

Public service announcement

I’d also like to chime in on a topic of serious importance to the industry right now. I’m hardly the first person to address this matter, and that makes sense: It’s the talk of travel media right now. And yet somehow, it keeps happening. So one more time for the people in the back:

If you are trying to connect with the accomplished travel journalist Jennifer Rice (Thrillist, Eater, AFAR, Garden & Gun, etc.) for press trip invitations, you can only reach her at the email address jenniferannerice@gmail.com. She represents her life and work only in this Instagram feed. If you are working with a person using other accounts, you are not connecting with the person you think you are (and you can kiss your marketing spend goodbye).

This is the key takeaway from the scandal of the moment:

Do not focus your efforts on confirming coverage before a trip. (Such promises may be counterfeit anyway.) Focus instead on truly knowing the person you invite: Their work history will speak for itself.

More media layoffs

The hits just keep on coming. Sadly, last week Hearst laid off 41 editorial staffers. Related reading here:

• One thing publicists need to do TODAY in response to the editorial layoffs

• 6 Takeaways for Publicists Amid Heavy Media Layoffs

Tools of the trade

• My professional guru Jennifer Goforth Gregory has launched a course that I consider essential continuing ed right now: “Improve Your Productivity With AI Tools.” The course is geared toward not only understanding the fundamentals of AI for business writing but also knowing how to use it to actually make your job easier. You also get access to a live monthly Q&A so I consider this a great bargain at $125 (and it’s a write-off, to boot). I learned so much from it. It’s really not daunting — just a straightforward tool, broken up into easily digestible short sessions, with learnings you can implement right away. And it’s even kinda fun, too (if you’re a digital media nerd, like me). Sign up for the course here. And if you take it, do tell me what you think!

• Is anyone using Press Hook yet? If you haven’t heard of it, it’s designed as a platform to connect journalists looking for story sources with brands who want to showcase their products and experts. It also offers a suite of helpful workflow tools. Journalists can search by product and category, and participating brands get exposure and affiliate opportunities — so it’s designed as a win-win for everyone (in the same vein as this Substack). Give it a try — right now there’s a 14-day free trial available — and let me know what you think.

• Freshbooks is the bookkeeping tool I use exclusively for my invoicing, expenses, and reporting. It’s the best, IMHO, so I evangelize. Get FreshBooks here.

• Are you a publicist who needs help understanding the affiliate game? This course, Affiliate Marketing for Publicists, can help.

• I’m obsessed with the game-changing platform Otter.ai. I use it to both record interviews and also to transcribe them in real time. You can also use it to record/transcribe any type of meeting — so anyone who missed it can easily access the Cliff’s Notes version. There’s a pro plan for agencies/companies with a ton of neat features. Check out Otter.ai here.

• My TV reporter and PR agency owner friend Christina Nicholson (who hosted me on her podcast ) hosts a 3-day program for pitching media. Once a seasonal event, she’s now made it available on-demand. You get the masterclass, a personal branding workbook, and a fill-in-the-blanks pitch template — all for $37. It’s a steal, so don’t let it pass you by.

Open press opportunities

• For Good Housekeeping, I’m working on a roundup of great Rosh Hashana gifts. I’ll be filing these pitches and working on the story upon my return from vacation in August.

Recently published or updated

• 42 of the Best Restaurants for Birthday Dinners in NYC (Town & Country)

• 32 of the Best Glamping Destinations Across the United States That Are Seriously Gorgeous (Country Living)

• The 12 Best Waterproof Mascaras of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• Ten Hollywood-Famous Airbnbs for Experiencing Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows in Real Life (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 8 Best Sunglasses Cases of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 30 of the Best Places in London for Afternoon Tea (Town & Country)

• 25 Best Crossbody Bags You Can Wear Every Day and With Any Outfit (Woman’s Day)

• How FHA Down Payment Assistance Works, Nationally and State By State (HomeLight)

• Tax Breaks for Buying a House: 13 Tax-Savings Opportunities You Might Be Able to Claim (HomeLight)

• 25 Best Girls' Trip Ideas for an Unforgettable Getaway With Your Friends (Woman’s Day)

• 15 Breezy Summer Clothes That Will Keep You Cool and Comfy on Your Next Trip — All Under $40 (Travel + Leisure)

• The 15 Best Breathable Shoes for Summer (Travel + Leisure)

• The Best Luggage on Amazon for All Your Travel Needs (Woman’s Day)

• The Best Conditioners for Kids for All Hair Types (Verywell Family)

• The Best Balance Bikes for Kids Ready to Zoom Off on Two Wheels (Parents)

• 40 of the Best Michelin-Starred Restaurants in NYC (Town & Country)

• 10 Best Cooling Pajamas for Women to Keep You Comfortable (Woman’s Day)

• Flying the Delta One Suite on the New Airbus A330neo from London to Los Angeles (Business Traveler)

• I visited London for King Charles III's coronation and scoured the city for all the fun, kitschy souvenirs I could find (Insider)

• 5 Lessons Event Profs Can Learn From Upper-Class Airline Service (BizBash)

• The Best Graduation Gifts to Celebrate Huge Milestones at Every Age (Parents)

• Want a Relaxing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Hop on a Train. (AFAR)

• 8 gorgeous luxury hotels that start under $150 a night, from a Bali jungle mansion with 5 pools for $86 to a castle-like villa in Italy for $137 (Insider)

• The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)

• 9 eco-friendly things you can do on any vacation that sustainable-travel experts say add up to make a big difference (Insider)

• 11 One-and-done Travel Dresses Under $50 That Will Make Any Mom Feel Comfortable and Stylish (Travel + Leisure)

• The 13 Best Cashmere Sweaters of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 5 Scooter Suitcases Loved by Parents and Kids — All Under $150 (Travel + Leisure)

• Saatva’s *affordable* foam mattress topper totally transformed my years-old mattress (Real Homes)

• 31 Best Dresses on Amazon to Wear This Spring and Summer (Woman’s Day)

• The 12 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments, According to Dermatologists (Prevention)

• The 20 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 38 of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World (Town & Country)

• 20 Appropriate Bar Mitzvah Gifts He's Sure to Cherish (Woman’s Day)

• 20 Best Bat Mitzvah Gifts to Honor Her Major Milestone (Woman’s Day)

• These Rent-to-Own Homes Programs to Help You Get Into That House (HomeLight)

• The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles (Esquire)

• The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas (Esquire)

• 23 of the best places to travel to around the world in 2023 (Insider)

Open jobs

Job posts in this newsletter are now free! Have an open opportunity you want me to promote? Share it with me at info@alicedubin.com.

• Quinn PR is hiring an account executive in a commutable distance to New York City. The ideal candidate will have two+ years of PR agency experience working on travel brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can learn more and apply here.

• PKPR is looking for an account coordinator to join its NYC team for a hybrid role (three days in office, two remote). Applicants should be highly organized, creative, and have one year of PR experience. For more information on the position and to submit a resume, please contact helena@pkpr.com.

• A Design Partnership is hiring for a full-time account director to join its brands team. This person would need to be very familiar with affiliate and working with DTC brands. Candidates can email their resume and cover letter to hello@adesignpartnership.com.

• Modern Currency PR is hiring a PR account executive. Applicants must have at least two years of direct experience in PR with well-rounded hospitality, lifestyle, travel, food, and/or lifestyle media contacts. “Must possess a true go-getter mentality, love of luxury travel, restaurants, food culture/lifestyle, and wanderlust for international travel/tourism.” Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and have foundational PR experience working with hospitality, culinary, lifestyle, and travel brands. Be a “self starter with innovative ideas who is ready to hit the ground running!” This position is fully remote but must be based in L.A. with the ability to be mobile for on-site client meetings/shoots/media tours and meet-ups etc. For more information and to submit a resume, contact meghan@moderncurrencypr.com.

Work with me

• Here’s how to pitch: Simply respond to this email with a new subject line or pitch me at pitch@alicedubin.com.

• Are you a writer hoping to reach my engaged list of publicists? A publicist hoping to connect with brands? A digital media type with a product or service for the industry? Maybe you’d like to sponsor this newsletter with a featured ad. Let’s chat: info@alicedubin.com.

• Yes — thanks for asking! — I am also available for project-based consulting.

How to help

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• Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

• Donate to Planned Parenthood.