HGG info plus new PR jobs and press opps
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend! I saw Beyonce at So-Fi Stadium on Friday (queen) and hosted a barbecue yesterday — and now my body hurts and I need to sleep for a month.
Quick reminder about Thursday’s holiday gift guide pitching workshop I’m co-hosting with Aly Walansky and Jill Schildhouse. If you are a paid subscriber and registered your RSVP in the sign-up sheet before it closed, you should have received an email confirming your access and the event login information. If you did so but did not receive that email today, please let me know asap.
A reminder that we will be recording the session after all, and we will be sharing that recording with all paid subscribers afterward. So even if you can’t join us live, you’ll still get all the essential info you need to make this pitching season a massive success. Upgrade your subscription now to make sure you get access to the content as soon as it rolls out. (And thanks as always for your support!)
Related reading
I want to thank everyone for such incredible feedback on my post with my top tips for pitching holiday gift guides. Feedback like…
“Best thing I’ve seen all week! After 20 years, I like to think I do most of these things, but I learned something new today and that always excites me.”
“Fantastic tips. Thanks for assembling and making it so simple to understand.”
I hope it helps you land tons of excellent placements this year. Read the post here: 6 things you need to know before sending that HGG pitch into the void
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 the travel industry trade magazine The Compass (yes, a beautiful print magazine!) I’m working on a story rounding up what’s coming in 2024 around the entire travel industry. Of course, opening dates can change, but I’m targeting significant, important projects that are almost certain to open next year. I’m open to other categories, but will likely include:
A new theme park or new attraction at a theme park
A new cruise ship (could include a mega/ocean ship and a river cruise ship)
A new airplane, airline or route/flight pattern
Anything in space travel?
A new-build hotel
A renovated hotel
A new excursion
I would like to get some travel advisors as well as industry/brand voices in the story so do pitch ideas for these as well. And please include a photo or rendering with each pitch.
Recently published or updated
Is Real Estate Investing Still the Best Way to Build Wealth? Experts Say… (HomeLight)
6 Rosh Hashana Traditions and the Meanings Behind Them (Country Living)
Flying British Airways from London to Los Angeles in Club World (Business Traveler)
Appropriate Greetings for Yom Kippur, the Holiest Day in Judaism (Good Housekeeping)
21 Best Rosh Hashana Gifts (Good Housekeeping)
8 Train Rides Around the World That Immerse You in Gorgeous Landscapes (AFAR)
17 Best V-Neck T-Shirts for Women to Wear All Year Long (Woman’s Day)
The Best Apple Watch Bands for Styling Your Right-Hand Tech Tool (The Hollywood Reporter)
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)
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)
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)
The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)
11 One-and-done Travel Dresses Under $50 That Will Make Any Mom Feel Comfortable and Stylish (Travel + Leisure)
The 20 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)
38 of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World (Town & Country)
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 coordinator in the Miami, Forida area. The ideal candidate will have some PR agency experience (not required) and an interest in working on travel, FWS, and luxury brands. Candidates can learn more and apply here.
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 Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong fund and the Maui Humane Society.
Donate to the Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.
Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.
Donate to Planned Parenthood.