Cute event alert
I never met a custom airbrush station I didn't like.
Yesterday was a big day: my twins’ first day of third grade. I was in my feelings. My kids did great, and I plied them with popsicles as they climbed off the bus. (Shout out to all the back-to-school parents! It’s a lot. I see you.)
Still going on adrenaline — and because there was no homework on the first day of school — I took my daughter to an event that I thought might be right up her alley: the launch of The Creme Shop’s clean beauty collab with Hello Kitty. It was so cute. There was custom airbrushing! There was permanent bracelet installation! We went home with a bouquet of carnations shaped like Kitty’s face! A grand time was had by all.
Best of all, it was lovely to chat up the publicist Kate Morgan in the wild. The first thing she mentioned when we met was how much value she finds in this newsletter, as well as those from my colleagues Aly Walansky, Jill Schildhouse, and Bryce Gruber. Love to hear it!
After yesterday’s newsletter, I also got a wonderfully flattering email from reader Jayne Morehouse. “This is the best holiday gift guide tip I’ve ever heard!” she emailed (unsolicited!). “I already alerted all of my clients.” LOVE TO HEAR IT.
(Want to know what’s the best tip ever? Upgrade your subscription to get access to all the archives now!)
Upgrade your subscription
I’m now offering my industry insights exclusively to paid subscribers. Upgrade your subscription to access the full archives (including my timely and actionable tips for pitching holiday gift guides), as well as get future tips direct to your inbox.
Remember I’m offering paid subscribers one-on-one AMA calls in lieu of group Zooms for a limited time! Paid subscribers, email me to get your call on the calendar. (I’ve so enjoyed meeting many of you already!)
Remember I’m always open to reader feedback: What topic would you love to see covered in a future newsletter?
Things I love
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.
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.
Open press opportunities
For Good Housekeeping, I’m working on a (massive!) roundup of unique nativity sets. Please pitch away — I have plenty of room to showcase many creative ideas.
Also for For Good Housekeeping, I’m working on a story about what to plant in November. Any experts want to weigh in?
Recently published
Is Juicing Good for Weight Loss? (Prevention)
8 Best Glass Water Bottles for Earth-Friendly Hydration (Prevention)
30 Best Thanksgiving Movies and TV Shows on Netflix to Watch With Your Family (Good Housekeeping)
This Car Rooftop Carrier Is the Storage Solution Every Road Tripper Needs — and It's on Sale Now (Travel + Leisure)
An Airline Lost My Luggage During a Recent Trip — and This $28 Hack Helped Me Find It (Travel + Leisure)
Five Essential Exhibits Worth Traveling for This Summer and Beyond (AFAR)
This Polished Lounge Set Is My Travel Go-to — and It's on Sale Right Now (Travel + Leisure)
Here's How to Wear Summer's Hottest Print — From Comfy Sneakers to Dresses (Travel + Leisure)
How My Kids Fared in Bora Bora, A Honeymooner’s Paradise (Ultimate Family Vacations, print feature beginning on page 26)
30 Best Labor Day Quotes That Express the Real Reason for the Holiday (Woman’s Day)
The Best 40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Every Budget (Woman’s Day)
How to Effectively Argue About Abortion Rights With People Who Just Don't Get It (Glamour)
The 9 Wildest Perks You'll Ever Encounter at a Hotel (Best Life)
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
Donate to the Uvalde Victims Relief Fund and to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.
Donate to keep the Kyiv Independent going and keep Ukraine’s media going.
Donate to Planned Parenthood… march, fight, and VOTE!
Reading this makes me so happy!