Back from IMM LUX with new assignments
I almost never travel for industry conferences — and now I’m inspired to do more of it. Last week, I headed to Vegas for IMM LUX, the first luxury-focused event from IMM host Travmedia.
As exhausting as it was (15-minute meetings for a total of 22 in a single day, speed-dating style), it was a terrific opportunity for a ton of highly efficient exchanges. I nourished existing relationships as much (or more) as I made new connections on both the destination/brand/PR and writer/editor side; all had a lot of value.
Then, I joined up with a group from The Venetian, for the chance to check out the $1.5 billion (!) overhaul there as well as the opening for the Korean steakhouse Cote.
All in all, it was a goldmine both for story ideas (check out a bunch of them already live below) and also for face-to-face connections.
That being said… I wished I hadn’t had to choose between observing the holiest Jewish holiday of the year with my family and leaving town for a work trip. So I hope the organizers will keep that in mind for next year. Inclusive dates really matter to attendees.
Now on with the show.
Recording: Ultimate HGG pitching workshop 2025
Thank you SO much to everyone who joined us on Zoom for our ultimate holiday gift guide pitching workshop! A capacity crowd representing the best in the business — all ready to hit the ground running this season.
We organized the session into six chunky, easy-to-digest sections on:
Timing/when to pitch
All things affiliate
Pitch formatting and subject lines
Product selection and positioning
Trends and editorial direction
Relationships and outreach etiquette
There’s just a ton of info here, organized (we hope) as efficiently as possible to answer all your questions and make your job easier. We went over our allocated hour, so this recording reflects our thoroughly deep dive in 71+ minutes, covering all things you need to know for HGG placement success in 2025. Click here to watch the recording. Enjoy — and happy pitching!
Tools of the trade
You already know my own press opportunities live right here in this Substack— but I’m also a media member of Press Hook. It’s built to fix what every publicist deals with: low open rates, ghosted pitches, and wasting hours chasing the wrong contacts. Instead, it gives us an efficient, trust-based system to find sources and products by topic or category— and now even by opportunity type (earned, affiliate, or paid), so you know exactly what you’re opting into. PR pros pitching through Press Hook are seeing an average media response rate of 15% or higher (compared to the industry average of ~3%) because it’s built for genuine connection, not cold outreach. There’s also a growing network of newsletters and podcasts using it to source content, including folks like me! If you’re not on Press Hook yet, it’s for sure worth checking out. It’s not PR the old way, it’s a new model for media in this hybrid era. Explore Press Hook here.
Are you a publicist who needs help leveling up in the affiliate game? Affiliate expert Sara Karger has soft launched her new course, Affiliate Marketing & Performance-Based PR for Publicists. It’s built specifically to help PR pros and agencies add affiliate management as a core capability. It’s an in-depth training that equips publicists with the exact strategies to set up affiliate programs for clients, pitch commerce editors with confidence, and deliver measurable ROI through performance-based PR. Check it out here.
Open press opportunities
For Good Housekeeping, I’m working on some pet content: facts about cats! (Naturally, this is squarely in my wheelhouse as an unabashed cat lady.) I’m looking for an expert to quote in the story, either a veterinarian and/or other bona fide cat expert.
For Southern Living, I’m working on a story about rude dinner party behaviors. Looking for comments from etiquette experts:
What’s the most common faux pas guests make at dinner parties?
How do etiquette rules evolve with the times — for example, are things like arriving fashionably late or taking photos at the table still considered rude?
What should a good guest always do before leaving a dinner party — and what’s something most people forget to do that makes a lasting impression?
Should you always bring a gift for the host?
Is there a polite way to handle it if someone brings up politics, diets, or other controversial topics at the table?
And for hosts, what are the rudest behaviors they should avoid themselves — things guests might silently judge?
Media job moves
Share your job change news with me to be included! Send to info@alicedubin.com.
After nearly a decade in-house with IHG, Jessica Lee has started a new role as Vice President at bread & Butter PR. “From boutique art-deco stunners in Nashville, to resorts in the snow-capped mountains in Colorado, to a Caribbean portfolio and beyond, I’ll be working with some of the best names in the hotel and restaurant business,” she wrote in an announcement.
Morgan Blanner is now an Account Supervisor at BON Communications. She leads key accounts, namely nationally recognized and award-winning independent restaurants.
Emily Maldonado has joined The Door / DISRPT as a Senior Account Supervisor, working across all culture accounts. Accounts include Adidas, CultureCon, and The Gathering Spot.
Olivia Pero is the new PR assistant at Spencer Lauren PR, with clients including Stakt, Aora, Marini SkinSolutions, Vollie, and Slate Flosser.
After a short break, Alyssa Rotunno is “excited to share” that she’s back with the IHG team, supporting its news bureau functions across all 19 brands globally.
Peyton Adzema has recently joined the team at Karla Otto as an account manager on the lifestyle team, working across lifestyle clients.
Boutique travel PR firm GO PR has appointed Mara Bitton as vice president. Bitton will service a large portfolio of the agency’s client roster including clients like Generator x Freehand and NATUROPATHICA Spas, in addition to new clients EYOS Expeditions and BARK Air.
Daylyn Weppner has moved to a new role as director at Small Girls PR. Clients in the lifestyle space include Hover (property visualization and design app), Gen Phoenix (recycled leather manufacturer supplying recycled leather to over 250 airline partners), Cleo (AI-driven money tech tool), and Stitch Fix (online personalized shopping platform).
Carla Tomillo has left Purple PR and joined PRC as associate director, fashion/culture. “In this role, I’ll be working on brand strategy, PR and communications for adidas Originals, GapStudio, and Banana Republic.”
I’m really looking forward to continuing to collaborate with all of you in this new chapter,” she says.
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Open jobs
Job posts in this newsletter are now a free perk for paying subscribers. Do you have an open opportunity you want me to promote? First, upgrade here if you need to. Then email me at info@alicedubin.com.
Moxie Communications Group is a strategic, industry-agnostic communications agency known for launching and scaling brands like Liquid Death, Oura, Hydrow, Goodles, Coterie, Industrious, and Owl Labs. Moxie is expanding its PR team, with roles available in New York or Los Angeles.
The PR Account Coordinator will support day-to-day client work, including scheduling, media monitoring, and campaign logistics.
The PR Account Executive will help drive media outreach, storytelling, and client servicing across B2B and consumer accounts.
Interested candidates can submit resumes at the links above.
GO PR is seeking a senior account executive. This position requires at least three to four years’ experience, a passion for hospitality, experience leading initiatives forward to fruition and success as well as a rolodex of media contacts. “An ideal candidate will have extensive travel and lifestyle experience to comfortably lead daily client relations, execute day to day projects and support and lead teams to execute strategy. They will be a creative, out-of-the-box thinker who has a strong work ethic and is a self-starter. They must possess stellar oral and written communication skills. GO PR Senior Account Executives are an integral part in supporting the development and implementation of communications strategies across a portfolio of high-profile clients. A fun, fast paced environment, GO PR works on a hybrid model with two days in office. Current clients include everything from hotels [Freehand Hotels, Walker Hotels, Marram Montauk, RUSCHMEYERS, Dawn Ranch], to destinations [Visit Faroe Islands and Tourisme Montréal] and luxury expeditions [EYOS] to the truly dog-first airline and hospitality brand redefining pet travel [BARK Air].” Check out the posting on LinkedIn.
Comm Oddities is on the hunt for a junior-to-mid level publicist (around three years experience). “We’d like to contract on a project basis for a potential long-term opportunity for the right fit. This isn’t entry level — you should already know how to pitch and love media relations. Commerce and thought leadership-driven clients. Please email sarah@commodditiesinc.com if interested! Please make it easy for me to see why you’re a fit. Share a couple of recent wins, drop relationship names, areas of expertise, etc.”
Modern Currency PR is currently seeking an experienced and passionate PR account supervisor with 4-5 years of direct experience. This candidate should be a media relations pro with excellent media relationships, client service experience leading key accounts, and a proven track record of securing results. “Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to wear multiple hats!” The account supervisor will lead accounts autonomously, develop compelling strategy, engage in active pitching, strategic media relations, drive effective planning, creative partnerships and programming ideation, client relations, and support new business initiatives alongside a team of seasoned team of media industry professionals within an engaging boutique agency environment. This position is fully remote but must be based in Los Angeles with the ability to be mobile for on-site client meetings/shoots/influencer tours and meet-ups, etc. Interested candidates can send resumes directly to meghan@moderncurrencypr.com and jordan@moderncurrencypr.com.
Katalyst PR, a Southern California-based agency headquartered in San Diego, specializing in providing public relations and social media services to culinary, hospitality, lifestyle, CPG, and real estate brands is seeking a dynamic and creative Influencer manager and content creator. “This full-time hybrid role blends influencer relationship management with hands-on digital content creation tailored for restaurant, hotel and travel brands. You will lead influencer outreach campaigns, build lasting partnerships, and produce compelling visual and written content that aligns with client goals and brand identity. Must be San Diego-based, 2-4 years of experience with influencer marketing and content creation.” This is a hybrid position with one day per week in office. Interested candidates can send resumes directly to katherine@katalyst-pr.com or apply on LinkedIn.
Carli PR is looking to bring on two new contract positions for the hospitality, restaurant, and travel-focused PR agency. These are remote positions, with preference for regional candidates. Email interest for both jobs to cb@carlipr.com.
PR Account Director (New York City)/ approx 20 hrs/ wk: This role will support various NYC accounts and potentially also manage new accounts that come online (with commensurate compensation). This role requires restaurant and hospitality PR experience in the NYC market.
PR Administrative Officer (NYC or South Florida)/ approx 30 hrs pr/ wk: This role will support the agency with day-to-day administrative tasks, such as scheduling and coordinating, note taking and call recaps, shepherding communications/ keeping teams on task and on deadlines, etc. This is ideal for someone who is extremely organized and enjoys playing an essential support role for a team.
Modern Currency PR is currently seeking a dynamic, media-savvy PR account executive with a deep passion for luxury travel and hospitality. “We’re looking for a true media relations powerhouse with someone with 2-3 years of hands-on experience, strong media relations, and a proven track record of securing results. The ideal candidate brings a sharp strategic mind, fresh creative thinking, and an unwavering work ethic to the table each day. If you’re energized by luxury travel, storytelling, and thrive in a collaborative, high-performance environment, we’d love to hear from you.” This position is fully remote but must be based in Los Angeles with the ability to be mobile for on-site client meetings/shoots/influencer tours and meet-ups, etc. Interested candidates can send resumes directly to meghan@moderncurrencypr.com and jordan@moderncurrencypr.com.
Work with me
I am available for project-based consulting. Please reach out to discuss your needs: info@alicedubin.com.
Feedback from a recent agency after a consulting session: “That was amazing!!! Thank you SO much, you really gave us so many valuable insights to think about, and I could tell what you were saying was really resonating with the team. Really appreciate your thoughtful answers to all our questions and feedback on our pitches.”
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 audience 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. I’m also open to well-matched affiliate partnerships. Let’s chat: info@alicedubin.com.
How to help
Donate to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country for its Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, which, according to its website, will “support nonprofit organizations, first responder agencies, and local governments actively involved in response, relief, and recovery efforts.”
Immigrant Defenders Law Center is a nonprofit that provides deportation defense, legal representation, and social services for kids and adults. Support their work with a donation.
De Sol a Sol Collective, a mutual aid group for undocumented Indigenous immigrants has a list of GoFundMe pages to support.
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Donate to the Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.
Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety.
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Donate to Pasadena Humane Society