It's not a normal day

I was going to make some point about pitching after-hours, but I’ll save that for another day. It’s challenging to focus on the minutia of work when Israel is at war.

To be clear, a country is at war with a terrorist organization that slaughtered its civilians and took civilian hostages, including babies and children. Equivalencies are both patently false and antisemitic.

Your Jewish friends and colleagues are not OK, both because of Saturday’s 9/11-style attack — a day on which more Jews were killed than on any other single day since the Holocaust — and also because of widespread antisemitism and ignorance in the response to it. Check on them.

We’re all working today, but it’s not a normal Monday. Pitch with sensitivity today, please. Donate to the ambulance service Hatzalah. Related (insofar as a school shooting helps inform a war): Here’s how to pitch journalists at a time of tragedy

Now on with the boilerplate stuff as well as open press opps.

Holiday gift guide season 2023

• Do NOT send an HGG pitch without these 5 details writers require

• Literally everything you need to know about pitching HGGs in 2023 is in here

• 6 things you need to know before sending that HGG pitch into the void

• 75+ of your biggest HGG pitching questions — answered

Tools of the trade

• 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.

• 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 Woman’s Day, I’m seeking gifts for 10 year olds available on major retailers’ sites and Amazon (only, please). I’m also seeking a qualified expert to discuss appropriate gifts for this age category.

• Still open/eagerly seeking qualified sources: I’m pleased to be contributing to the online deals platform Dealspotr, which is substantially growing its offerings with a bunch of smart, insider content. My first assignment is to answer the question: Why is Shein so cheap? I’m looking for experts (fashion, retail, ecomm, etc.) who can speak to this in an informed way.

• Still open/seeking sources: Also for Dealspotr, I’m rounding up and comparing return policies from big-box retailers. I’m seeking experts who can ideally add a level of expertise not found on other sites about this topic. Open to pitches for sources.

Recently published or updated

• 20 of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Teens Who Are Hard to Impress (Country Living)

• I'm a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 14 Airplane Outfits to Wear to Get Upgraded to First Class — From $16 (Travel + Leisure)

• 16 Luxurious Resorts That Take Relaxation to New Levels (Elle Decor)

• 12 Cozy Things to Pack If You're Always Freezing on Flights — Starting at $17 (Travel + Leisure)

• 25 Dressy and Casual Christmas Party Outfit Ideas for 2023 (Woman’s Day)

• 3 Hanukkah Blessings to Help You Celebrate the Festival of Lights (Woman’s Day)

• 31 Best Gifts and Toys for 9-Year-Olds in 2023 (Woman’s Day)

• 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)

• 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 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)

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 ambulance service Hatzalah.

• 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.