PR PSA

I can't.

Hi! Small PSA. I tune out slash feel rage when I get pitches that include the names of outspoken antisemites — such as Kanye West. (I get them regularly.) These names are just not a selling point for me, and I’m guessing other Jewish people relate to my knee-jerk reaction to delete or ignore. (This man might be Teflon-coated, but I sure won’t play any role — however small — in endorsing his celebrity.) Anyway, hope this wee bit of intel is useful to anyone.

RELATED: This is the one PR pitch I always delete immediately

With that, the assignments are coming in hot; new press opps below.

HARO alternatives

HARO once cornered the market on connecting writers and PR pros; now Cision is in the process of rebranding the platform as Connectively. But there’s widespread confusion about where that transition stands — and opportunities are being lost in the gap. 

At the same time, various other existing and emerging platforms aim to grab market share by facilitating the same sort of connections effectively, including Qwoted, PressHook, PressPulse.AI, Rolli, and Substack. 

You already know my own press opportunities are in this very Substack! I’m also a partner for Press Loft, officially launching in the coming weeks 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 — I’d love to hear your feedback.

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.

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.

Open press opportunities

• For Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a roundup of the best hotels in Kauai. With your pitches, please send along the following info required for inclusion, which will help streamline the reporting process if I do select the property for inclusion:

  Location:

  Distance from Airport (miles):

  Accessibility:

  Loyalty Programs:

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

  Parking (yes/no and rates)

  Resort fee (y/n)

  Rates (starting rates)

• Also for Travel + Leisure, I’m working on another story to include flight attendants’ tips and favorites. Given this new beat, I’d love to ramp up my roster of go-to flight attendant sources, so please reach out if you’ve got someone I should call on.

• Still open: For The Hollywood Reporter, I’m working on a roundup of the most stylish iPhone cases.

• LAST CALL AND VERY MUCH STILL OPEN TO PITCHES: For The Points Guy, I’m working on a story rounding up where celebrities are going in summer 2024. Please pitch me destination ideas with supporting information about why this is a celeb draw right now.

Recently published or updated

• 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)

• Is it Safe to Eat Lemon Peels? (Southern Living)

• Flight Attendants Reveal 11 Travel Essentials on Their Wish Lists for Amazon's Big Spring Sale — From $10 (Travel + Leisure)

• We're Shocked That Madewell's Massive Insider Sale Has Discounts Up to 78% Off — Shop Our 36 Favorite Steals (Travel + Leisure)

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

• Amazon Is a Gold Mine for Travel Essentials This Spring — Shop the Best Luggage, Shoes, and More From $10 (Travel + Leisure)

• 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)

• 30 Best Pi Day Jokes and Puns to Help You Celebrate on March 14 (Good Housekeeping)

• 18 Best Kids’ Purim Costume Ideas of 2024 (Woman’s Day)

• 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)

• These 12 Accessories Are Travelers' Secrets to Getting Everything in a Carry-on — and They're on Sale From $7 (Travel + Leisure)

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

• Can You Eat Bay Leaves? (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)

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

• What Is Purim? Everything to Know About the Jewish Holiday and How to Celebrate (Woman’s Day)

• 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)

• I’m a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 15 Best-selling Amazon Products Every Traveler Needs in 2024 (Travel + Leisure)

• 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)

• One of my twins got sick right before a trip. I took the other twin, and we had an unexpected bonding time. (Business Insider)

• 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)

• 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 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)

• 32 of the Best Glamping Destinations Across the United States That Are Seriously Gorgeous (Country Living)

• 30 of the Best Places in London for Afternoon Tea (Town & Country)

• Tax Breaks for Buying a House: 13 Tax-Savings Opportunities You Might Be Able to Claim (HomeLight)

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.

• Quinn PR is hiring a senior account supervisor in a commutable distance to Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will have four+ years of PR agency and management experience working on real estate, travel, and lifestyle brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can 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. 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.