New date for the affiliate workshop + Japan planning

Hi! A quick note that June’s Zoom workshop has a new date given the conflict with Juneteenth. Here’s the updated info and the link to RSVP:

Zoom workshop: ask an affiliate expert
June 18
11 am PT/2 pm ET
***RSVP at the bottom of this post**
I will be recording the session and will distribute it shortly afterward for any paid subscribers who can’t make the live event!

My special guest for this session will be Sarah Karger, who knows absolutely everything about the topic — in fact, she literally offers the seminal course on the topic, Affiliate Marketing for Publicists.

This Zoom workshop (and recording) is for paid subscribers. (You can upgrade your subscription here to unlock the RSVP form immediately.) You won’t want to miss this one!

What should I do in Tokyo and the Kyoto area?

I’m headed to Japan next month with my family and I’m getting a late start (for my tastes) on putting together an itinerary. What should I do, what should I eat, etc.? Also, I’ll be spending my birthday in Kyoto — is there a blowout meal or something I should try on the occasion? TIA!

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.)

Tools of the trade

• 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 use Otter.ai to record interviews and Zoom meetings and also to transcribe them in real time. It’s a game changer. There’s a pro plan for agencies/companies with a ton of neat features. Check out Otter.ai here.

• 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.

Open press opportunities

• For The Compass travel industry trade magazine, I’m working on a feature story about spas at sea. The article will highlight a variety of spas on different cruise lines, sharing services offered (including specialty or niche offerings), costs, why advisors recommend them, and more. I’m looking for advisors to share advice on why these spas are standouts. Also happy to hear from reps for cruise lines with notable spas (and if you’re pitching from a cruise line, please send spa photos as well.)

• Also for The Compass, I’m working on a story about gardens and travel. This article will feature garden tours around the world and travel companies that offer this type of focus. It will highlight the tours, discuss the health and wellness benefits of garden tours (both physical and emotional) and discuss why people are booking. (This piece will keep the focus on flower gardens specifically.) Looking to speak with travel advisors from companies that offer garden tours.

• For Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a story about Hawaiian shirts and I would like to speak to experts in the field — say, authentic Hawaiian shirt brand owners, Hawaii tourism board members, etc. ) to get insights and tips.

Recently published or updated

• 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.

• Press Loft looking for a freelance PR assistant in the US. “We are looking for someone with strong media connections in the US, especially with interiors and retail writers. The role will involve sourcing and responding to suitable media leads each day, to drive new users to sign up, and onboarding new media on to Press Loft to drive engagement with the platform.” For more information and to send your resume, email Nicola.snell@pressloft.com

• Zeno Group is seeking an assistant account executive in Chicago. “You will have a strong focus on traditional PR and will require experience writing communications materials (i.e., press releases, pitches) and working with the media. You will be responsible for working closely with the account team(s), maintaining a broader scope of day-to-day account work, including media relations, tracking, reporting and more.” Pay range is $40,000 to $51,000. Find more info and apply here.

• Rosenfield Media Group is looking for an entry-level coordinator for its corporate communications and live events divisions, which service high-profile clients in their respective fields. Candidate needs at least two internship semesters or summers of entertainment industry experience and want a career in public relations.  Job includes traveling for out of town live events, and position is based in Los Angeles. Job includes full benefits including health insurance, parking and retirement plan.  Please send your resume and a two paragraph cover letter speaking to why you would like the job and why you would like to be considered.  jobs@rmg-pr.com

• Quinn PR is hiring an account supervisor in a commutable distance to Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will have four+ years of PR agency experience working on travel and hospitality brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can learn more and apply here.

• Dittoe Public Relations is seeking a senior account manager to join its agency PR team. Candidates should have 4-5 years of experience in media relations, PR writing, and strategic client communications. Located in Indianapolis, Dittoe PR is an award-winning national PR agency working across B2B and B2C business throughout the U.S. For more information, visit the website here, and to apply, email greta@dittoepr.com.

• Modern Currency PR, an award-winning, boutique, luxury hospitality & marketing public relations agency based in Los Angeles, CA, seeks a hospitality + travel-focused public relations account supervisor with at least 4-5 years of experience (in the hospitality, culinary, travel, tourism, restaurant and/or consumer lifestyle arenas), a genuine passion/drive for the industry, creative, collaborative, and well-connected with a great go-getter attitude, solution-oriented, and possessing a strong work ethic. You will be organizing and hosting media FAMs and press trips and playing an active role in daily account management, media relations, and working on bigger placements and stories, all led by strategic and smart thinking. This is a remote position, however all candidates must be based in Los Angeles and able to regularly staff and attend shoots, client meetings, and other in-person events as needed. Interested candidates can send their resume directly to meghan@moderncurrencypr.com.

• Modern Currency PR also seeks “a well-rounded hospitality and travel-focused public relations account director with at least 6-8 years of experience (in the hospitality, culinary, travel, tourism, restaurant and/or consumer lifestyle arenas), a genuine passion/drive for the industry, creative, collaborative, and well-connected with a great go-getter attitude, solution-oriented, and possessing a strong work ethic.” This is a remote position, however all candidates must be based in Los Angeles and able to regularly staff and attend shoots, client meetings, and other in-person events as needed. Interested candidates can send their resume directly to meghan@moderncurrencypr.com.

• Several new jobs at Quinn PR:

  • Account Executive for NYC office. The ideal candidate will have two+ years of PR agency experience and an interest in working with real estate clients and/or experience working with real estate or luxury travel or hospitality. Learn more and apply here. 

  • Assistant Account Executive for NYC office. The ideal candidate will have some PR agency experience (not required) and an interest or experience in working on travel or real estate brands. Learn more and apply here.  

  • Account Coordinator NYC office. The ideal candidate will have some PR agency experience (not required) and an interest in working on travel brands. Learn more and apply here. 

  • Senior Account Executive for NYC office. The ideal candidate will have three+ years of PR agency experience working with real estate clients. Learn 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.