It's layoff city again
Also known as deja vu.
As happens with troubling frequency, another round of layoffs has rocked the media industry in recent days. Notably, most of the staff at Sports Illustrated has been laid off, in what appears to be an existential threat to the publication itself. (In an odd twist though, SI’s commerce arm seems to still be alive and assigning, according to a writer friend who declined a subsequent assignment. This does seem to bode well for commerce editorial product in general.)
Separately, Conde Nast folded Pitchfork into GQ. And evidently, Anna Wintour didn’t remove her sunglasses when delivering the layoff news to staffers, which is basically satire.
Today, Conde Nast’s union is striking in protest of layoffs, union busting, and what it claims are unlawful negotiating tactics.
Meanwhile, at The Los Angeles Times, the newsroom is apparently in “chaos” as about 100 layoffs loom and senior editors bail.
It’s… a lot.
My best advice to publicists: Do this one thing literally TODAY in response to the editorial layoffs.
Related reading: 6 Takeaways for Publicists Amid Heavy Media Layoffs
Tools of the trade
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.
Jennifer Goforth Gregory 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. Sign up for the course 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.
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.
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Open press opportunities
Last call (closing today): For a BabyCenter store on the best all-inclusive family resorts, I’m looking for a travel advisor to comment on what to look for, why this type of travel is great for families, etc. (No more property/destination pitches at this time, please.)
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.
Destination Cleveland is hiring a director of out-of-market media relations. “Must be a solutions-oriented, strategic and creative thinker with keen attention to detail and a strong sense of urgency. They will set strategies and work with team members, contractors and agency partners to garner media coverage of Cleveland as a place to visit and host a meeting in trade, drive-market, national and international media outlets. Additionally, they will work with the VP, PR & Communications to manage the strategic development and implementation of a media relations effort that positions Cleveland as a place to live and work in national and international media outlets. This individual is accountable for developing and executing a strategic plan, developing direct reports and meeting or exceeding metrics-based goals.” 12-15 years PR experience. Salary: $95,000. Apply here.
Work with me
I am always available for project-based consulting. Please reach out to discuss your needs: info@alicedubin.com.
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.
How to help
Donate to American Friends of Magen David Adom, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Save the Children.
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.