Konnichiwa from Japan!

Hi from Tokyo, where I’ve been having a blast with my family. Technically, I'm on vacation (but I'm always generating story ideas and never far from email to accept assignments, either).

In a funny twist — one that underscores just how small the world really is — I ran into a media friend across the world. Indeed, Peter Shankman — you know him as the original founder of HARO and the mind behind SOS, and a special guest of my recent Zoom covering all the need-to-knows about the new platform — also happened to be staying at the Shangri-La Tokyo at the very same time as we were. (

Aly Walansky

made the discovery by comparing our Instagram stories.) So we met up over breakfast to talk a bit of shop. Fun coincidence!

Today we take the bullet train to Kyoto. But before the weekend, check out new calls for pitches and newly published stories below!

TeamLab Planets Tokyo

Affiliate intel

If you missed the Zoom workshop on all things affiliate, you can watch the full recording here.

And/or you can get a great foundational education by signing up for this course:
Affiliate Marketing for Publicists

Buy an ad and reach ~5,000 engaged publicists

Do you have a coaching program, online course, service, platform, or anything else that makes sense to get in front of my highly engaged PR and media readers? Reach out to me at alice@alicedubin.com to discuss sponsorship in this newsletter. (Sliding rate scale based on your business’ size/resources.)

Where writers are looking for sources in 2024

• You already know my own press opportunities are in this very Substack! I’m also an affiliate partner for Press Hook, where publicists can create and manage press kits and brand profiles on behalf of clients and use the AI-driven platform to connect with journalists in a streamlined way. You can give it a try with a 14-day free trial — and if you use it, let me know what you think.

• I’m also a partner for Press Loft, officially launching in the US. The platform connects journalists with brands and PR agencies — primarily, but not exclusively, in the interior, home decor, and gifting categories. (It’s already among the top resources in the UK.) It offers some cool features like image-enhancing tools that use AI to turn low-res images into high-res ones. And you can upload product images and information to specific image libraries that journalists can access 24/7. Check it out with a free trial.

• Press Pulse.AI uses AI to aggregate all the calls for pitches relevant to you across multiple platforms and then sends them in an email digest form (as frequently as you want). It’s massively time saving and honestly very cool. Check out Press Pulse.AI here with a free trial.

Open press opportunities

• For Yahoo, I’m working on a health story about sleepwalking. I’m looking for experts well qualified to sleep on this topic: sleep doctors, neurologists, therapists with experience in this area, sleep scientists, etc.

• For Woman’s Day, I’m looking for Jewish faith experts (rabbis, Hebrew school teachers, etc.) to discuss bar/bat mitzvah traditions.

• STILL OPEN: For Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a roundup of the best clothes to wear on a plane. Specifically, I’m looking for wardrobe staples in the categories of business travel, warm-weather travel, cold-weather travel, and long-haul flights.

• STILL OPEN: For Travel + Leisure, I’m rounding up the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro. Along with any pitches, please include these key specifications. (It will streamline the reporting process if I end up selecting the property for inclusion):

  • Neighborhood

  • Accessibility (any relevant details about accessible rooms and property features, in very brief)

  • Wi-Fi (only if not included in the rate),

  • Nearby Attractions (i.e., Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach, Christ the Redeemer, etc.)

  • Loyalty Programs

  • Rates (starting rates)

Recently published or updated

• The best destinations to book an Airbnb this summer (The Points Guy)

• My family went to Rome during the peak summer season. Our trip would've been better if we'd known these 5 things before we left. (Business Insider)

• Flight Attendants Reveal Their 12 Favorite Travel Essentials in Amazon’s Fourth of July Sale (Travel + Leisure)

• One of the Best Luxury Family Resorts in the World Is Less Than Three Hours From Hollywood (The Hollywood Reporter)

• First Look: Air France Opens its Largest International Lounge in Los Angeles (Business Traveler USA)

• The Best Backpacks for Disney and Other Theme Parks, From Character Bags to Versatile Powerhouses (The Hollywood Reporter)

• What to Do When You’re Too Hot to Sleep (Sleep Doctor)

• The Best Hawaiian Shirts for Men of 2024 (Travel + Leisure)

• I'm a Frequent Flier, and These 15 Genius Items Have Helped Me Outsmart Checked Bag Fees — From Just $10 (Travel + Leisure)

• The Best Kids’ Luggage That's as Tough as It Is Adorable (Parents)

• 60 Funny Summer Puns That'll Have Kids and Adults Laughing All Sea-son (Woman’s Day)

• The Best TSA-Approved Products for Seamless Traveling, From Locks to Bags (The Hollywood Reporter)

• The Best Hotels in Martha’s Vineyard (Travel + Leisure)

• The 8 Best Zipperless Luggage Pieces of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (Travel + Leisure)

• The Best Hotels in Phoenix (Travel + Leisure)

• 15 Perfect Summer Tops That Go With Everything — From $15 in Amazon's Memorial Day Sale (Travel + Leisure)

• These Are the Only 20 Comfortable Shoes You Need to Shop From Zappos' Early Memorial Day Sale — Up to 70% Off (Travel + Leisure)

• Mushroom Magic: Nutrients, Flavors, and Cleaning Tips (The Well)

• 156 Popular Horse Names, from Stately and Regal to Funny and Whimsical (Woman’s Day)

• The 6 Best Travel First Aid Kits of 2024 (Travel + Leisure)

• I’m a Frequent Flier, and This Amazon Matching Set Is My Hack for Being Stylish Yet Comfortable During Travel (Travel + Leisure)

• The Best Hotels in Kauai (Travel + Leisure)

• These Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts from Starry Brands Will Delight Every Type Mom in Your Life (The Hollywood Reporter)

• What Does a Hamsa Symbolize? Experts Explain the Hand and Eye's Spiritual Meaning (Woman’s Day)

• 76 Funny Puns and Clever One-Liners Both Kids and Adults Will Laugh About (Woman’s Day)

• Where celebrities travel: 11 under-the-radar or perennially hot places to visit in summer 2024 (The Points Guy)

• The 10 Best Hotels in Palm Springs for 2024 (Travel + Leisure)

• What Do Flight Attendants Pack for Vacation When They’re Off the Clock? We Asked, They Answered (Travel + Leisure)

• What Is It Like to View Path of Totality Onboard the JSX Private Jet? (Business Traveler USA)

• The Best Museums in New York City Where Kids Get in Free (Elle Decor)

• My Dad Was a Doctor for 25 Years, and He Told Me to Always Travel With This $15 Life-saving First-aid Tool (Travel + Leisure)

• 50 of the Best Things to Do in Vegas Under $50 (Esquire)

• The 9 Best Waterproof Mascaras for Beach Getaways, Destination Weddings, and Long Travel Days (Travel + Leisure)

• Why Doesn’t Aldi Play Music in its Stores? (Southern Living)

• Want Better Bowel Movements? Follow These Tips (The Well)

• Springtime Event Ideas From Janie and Jack’s Cheerful Garden Party (BizBash)

• Spring Cleaning: This Whimsical BÉIS Pop-Up Created a Car Wash for Your Luggage (BizBash)

• These 40 Best NYC Hotels Are the Epitome of Luxury and Elegance (Bazaar)

• The best all-inclusive family resorts where you can vacation without ever opening your wallet (BabyCenter)

• Wasabi: Why It’s So Uniquely Spicy (The Well)

• A flight cancellation stranded my family for days — and it was the best vacation we've had in years (Business Insider)

• Ahead of ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Book These Luxurious Thailand Resorts Before the Reservation Rush (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 20 Best Passover Gifts for 2024, from Traditional to Fun (Woman’s Day)

• Can You Eat Raw Green Beans? (Southern Living)

• How I got $2,900 of expenses covered after the 737 MAX 9 grounding stranded me in Hawaii (The Points Guy)

• The 25 Best Hotels in Hawaii for Families of All Ages and Sizes (Elle Decor)

• After a Flight Cancellation Left Me Stuck for 4 Days, These Are the 12 Travel Essentials I'll Always Pack (Travel + Leisure)

• 20 of the Best Las Vegas Hotels for Couples on and Off the Strip (Harper’s Bazaar)

• Stranded in Paradise: How the 737 MAX Grounding Left Us Stuck in Hawaii (Business Traveler)

• Iconic Kona Village Resort Is Reborn as a Rosewood (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Obsessed With Staying In Bed? It Could Be Dysania (The Well)

• What Is It Like to Fly Fiji Airways Business Class from Los Angeles? (Business Traveler)

• The 10 Best Essentials to Pack for Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort and Other Warm-Weather Theme Parks (The Hollywood Reporter)

• The Best New York City Hotels for Families to Make Everyone Feel Right at Home (Town & Country)

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

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

• Is Real Estate Investing Still the Best Way to Build Wealth? Experts Say… (HomeLight)

• 8 Train Rides Around the World That Immerse You in Gorgeous Landscapes (AFAR)

Open jobs

Job posts in this newsletter are free! Have an open opportunity you want me to promote? Share it with me at info@alicedubin.com.

• Modern Currency PR is seeking a full-time digital marketing coordinator with a passion for hospitality (food, travel, etc.), and a strong handle social media. “The ideal candidate must possess at least 1-2 years of direct experience in social media strategy/management, and be highly organized, creative, and possess a willingness to deploy a scrappy and proactive approach to driving digital campaigns for the agency’s award-winning luxury travel, hospitality and aviation clients.  If you're a social media whiz, love traveling, know the latest social trends (even before they start 'trending'), are a go-getter, love brainstorming creative, out-of-the-box ideas,” apply to meghan@moderncurrencypr.com.

• Lucky Break PR is hiring an assistant account executive to join the lifestyle and hospitality team based in Los Angeles. At least one year of PR experience required. “We’re looking for someone highly organized and passionate to join our team to work on clients in the F&B, wellness, and entertainment space.  This is a hybrid, in-person role with excellent benefits.” For questions or to share your resume, please reach out to sahra@luckybreakpr.com

• Lou Hammond Group is looking for a PR account executive in the Dallas office “to work on a fantastic and fun roster of travel/hospitality clients.” 2+ years of experience, with travel industry experience preferred. Find out more and 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 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 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.