New press opps and my mailer of the week award 🏆

Shout out to Kiehl’s for the most interactive, differentiated press mailer of last week. The brand launched its Ultra Facial Barrier Cream with an opt-in mailing that included a branded mallet and chocolate orb resembling a snow globe.

I waited for my kids to get home from school to let them have the pleasure of busting into it (aren’t I a thoughtful mommy?) and they bashed away to unearth the brand’s new products inside. Fun!

Other tidbits…

• Estimated taxes were due last week, so if that applies to you — get on that if you haven’t yet!

• I told you Atlantis the Royal Dubai was going to be the spot this year, and then here comes Beyonce to underscore the point.

• Yesterday I wrote about the one pitch I always delete immediately. IMHO, it’s a pretty important read.

Join us at next week’s Zoom sesh!

A reminder that my next AMA will be on January 31 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET on Zoom, available exclusively to my paid subscribers. You can RSVP here and ask your questions in advance so we’ll be sure to get to them.

For now, the session is completely open topic. Come to seek answers and brainstorm with me and your colleagues about process, pitching, tools of the trade, affiliate strategy — whatever impacts your business right now. Looking forward to seeing you there! (Upgrade your free subscription now if you’d like to join us.) Zoom link to come.

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’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 and ready when you are.

  She’s sharing her seven ingredients to land TV segments, online features, and podcast interviews that generate serious bank. 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 Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a roundup of the best luxury travel accessories — these should largely be aspirational, splurge items, like a luxury cashmere throw or high-end tote. I’m also open to a few items that elevate the travel experience overall — along the lines of a DIY cocktail kit, massaging car seat cushion, high-end lotion, etc.

• Also for Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a roundup of the best packable jackets for both men and women.

Recently published or updated

• This Meghan Markle-approved Shoe Brand Is Having a Major Sale Right Now — With Prices as Low as $65 (Travel + Leisure)

• These Flight Attendant-approved, Germ-busting $9 Travel Soap Sheets Are a Staple for Flu Season (Travel + Leisure)

• 10 Best Purim Gifts for Your Mishloach Manot This Year (Woman’s Day)

• 10 Kids' Purim Costume Ideas, From Traditional to Pop-Culture Inspired (Woman’s Day)

• The most refreshing and recharging ways to spend a mental health day, according to therapists (Insider)

• Travelers Say This French Press Makes European Cafe-level Coffee — and It’s on Sale for $25 (Travel + Leisure)

• 26 Best Super Bowl Drinks and Cocktails to Serve on Game Day (Woman’s Day)

• 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)

• The Ultimate Disney Packing List (Travel + Leisure)

• 30 Most Romantic Valentine's Day Getaways in the United States (Good Housekeeping)

• How To Store Lettuce So It Stays Crisp (Southern Living)

• 40 Galentine's Day Gift Ideas to Show Love for All Your Besties (Woman’s Day)

• The 20 Best Slippers for Men and Women of 2022 (Travel + Leisure)

• 23 of the best places you should travel to in the US in 2023 (Insider)

• 50 Best Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Her That Are Affordable and Romantic (Woman’s Day)

• 13 tattoos that powerfully represent people's mental health journeys (Insider)

• This Popular Weekender Bag From a Meghan Markle-loved Brand Is 25% Off Right Now (Travel + Leisure)

• How to Return Gifts From Amazon Without the Sender Knowing (Good Housekeeping)

• Holiday Feasts (cover story in the print issue of Where Los Angeles)

• 7 Social Media Tips to Grow Your Destination Wedding Business (travel industry trade The Compass, print feature, pages 64-69)

• Article Sofa Review: At Home with Article’s Sven Sofa (Living Cozy)

• I grew up in Los Angeles and have lived here most of my life. There's so much to love about this city beyond the glitz and glamour — here's my ultimate guide to visiting. (Insider)

• How to Find Short Sale Homes: A Guide for Buyers (HomeLight)

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.

• The full-service public relations and marketing communications agency Segal Communications, specializing in consumer and technology products, is currently looking for Bay Area-based talent in two positions: Senior Account Executive and

  Account Coordinator.

• Dreamday, founded by the former VP of marketing at Ritual, is now hiring an experienced PR account executive to help service its growing team, which includes clients like Brightland, Fly by Jing, Girlfriend Collective, and more. Dreamday is a “collaborative, empathetic, and passionate remote-work environment and offers flexible vacation policy, health insurance, 401k with matching, gender-neutral parental leave, and more.” You need 3 to 5+ years experience. Contact: Jamie Werner, VP of communications, at jamie@dreamday.la 

• Book Launchers has two open jobs, which involve working on the media strategy and outreach for indie authors. They are:
  Media coordinator: Full-time, working directly with the marketing manager on strategy and overseeing media for clients.
  Book media specialist: Can be full-time or part-time, works under media coordinator, focuses more just on media pitching with clients on their plate.
  Both roles are 100% remote work with flexible schedules. “We’re looking to hire immediately to ideally train before the holidays.”

• Modern Currency PR is looking to bring on a social media account executive with a passion for hospitality (food, travel, etc.), and a strong handle on social media. Applicants should be highly organized, creative, and passionate about PR/social media, and willing to be scrappy, proactive. Agency has a portfolio of award-winning luxury travel and hospitality clients, and a supportive and warm team environment. Applicants must have at least 1-2 years of direct experience in social media strategy/management. This position is fully remote but must be based in L.A. with the ability to be mobile for on-site client meetings, shoots, influencer tours, meet-ups etc. For more information and to submit a resume, reach out to Meghan Patke at meghan@moderncurrencypr.com.

• Carma Connected is seeking a senior account executive to join the team at its Miami Beach office (hybrid schedule of remote/ in-office work). 4+ years of experience in luxury lifestyle PR required. Carma offers competitive salary, health insurance including dental and vision, 401(k) plan with profit sharing, flexible schedule, generous time-off policy and more. Please send resumes to careers@carmaconnected.com

• KAYLEY Media is hiring a PR account manager in Web3 entertainment PR. Fully remote, part-time position with the intention to grow into full-time.

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 Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.

• Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

• Donate to keep the Kyiv Independent going and keep Ukraine’s media going. 

• Donate to Planned Parenthood.