Relationships matter + media moves

Apr 14, 2025

My cat passed away last week. I adored her for almost 14 years. It was (and is) really hard. Since this is a B2B newsletter, I’d like to share a couple of business-related takeaways that have stuck with me:

When the going gets tough — that’s when real relationships are built. In my time of vulnerability, I have noted the colleagues and partners who have shown sincere compassion, and who have stepped up to demonstrate authentic humanity and genuine investment in the “relations” part of the media relations job. Special shout out to the Quinn PR folks for such understanding and flexibility as my circumstances changed, and then changed again. TL;DR: Relationships matter, be kind, be human, play the long game.
Similarly: A reminder that the brands that do right by their customers earn loyalty that quick-fix marketing solutions can never buy. (OG Zappos, for instance.) Special shout out to Chewy for such incredible customer service, as well as to Figo pet insurance for making that part of it so manageable and personal. These companies have earned my business for life, and I’ve shared my impressions widely among my network. TL;DR: Relationships matter, be kind, be human, play the long game. (Yes, it’s a pattern!)

Other media-world food for thought:

“Is the media dream job dead?” asks

Delia Cai

. To wit:

Last week, Radhika Jones announced that she was stepping down from Vanity Fair, where she has been the editor-in-chief for nearly eight years…. It looks like Jones will be the last real Vanity Fair EIC; per the job listing, as Puck’s Lauren Sherman pointed out, Condé is only officially seeking a “global editorial director,” a title that does not exactly stir the media aspirant’s heart. It seems more obvious than ever that being a Condé Nast magazine editor now increasingly amounts to a middle management job (unless you happen to be the one person who is both boss of all content and also specifically Vogue content), much less the stuff of movies or even a decent memoir. To me, someone particularly biased for having been hired under Jones and also laid off from VF last spring, her departure only reaffirms something that my cohort of media types and I have been discussing with increasing suspicion: that the media dream job is dead...

Discuss.

Media job moves

Share your job change news with me to be included! Send to info@alicedubin.com.

NBCUniversal and Miami International Airport alumna Karla Cobreiro has just launched Cobreiro Comms. “The Miami-based consultancy brings a decade of experience in shaping strategy and securing top-tier visibility for major brands across the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, and even Europe. It offers services in media strategy, influencer partnerships, executive visibility, high-impact events, crisis communications, and more to help brands, executives, and organizations show up with purpose — backed by strategy, storytelling, and strong relationships.”

Mother’s Day Pitching Session Recording Available

ICYMI: The Mother’s Day gift guide pitching session was jam-packed with tips. We had so many valuable takeaways and answered 50+ of your most pressing questions, including:

What are this year’s product trends dominating gift guides?
How has gift guide pitching changed over the last year?
How can you stand out if you're not part of an affiliate network?
What are the best practices for email pitching?
What’s a no-no that will get your pitch deleted?
What are some tips on pitching products for moms without playing into gender norms?
How can you successfully pitch regional events or products that are not available nationally?

You can catch the recording here.

Open press opportunities

STILL OPEN: For Southern Living, I’m working on this story: Airplane Etiquette Rules You Might Be Breaking, According to Flight Attendants. Would love flight attendants to weigh in!
STILL OPEN: For The Hollywood Reporter, I’m working on a travel story around the best things to do/see/stay/play/eat in the Cotswolds region outside London. Please pitch away if you work with a compelling place that fits the bill.

Tools of the trade

You already know my own press opportunities are in this very Substack! I’m also a media member of 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. If you’re not using Press Hook yet, you should definitely give it a try: It’s designed as a platform to connect journalists looking for story sources with brands who want to showcase their products and experts, and it’s all really built on trust and meaningful connections (it’s not spammy). 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, I like to think). Give it a try — and let me know what you think.
Are you a publicist who needs help understanding the affiliate game? This course can really help: Affiliate Marketing for Publicists. (It’s from Sarah Karger, a brilliant affiliate expert who you might remember from some of my past Zoom workshops.) In this course, you’ll learn what affiliate marketing really is, why it has taken over the industry, and how to navigate the waters of all things affiliate to be successful.
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.

Learn Affiliate Marketing for PR 101

Buy an ad and reach ~6,000 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.

Recently published or updated

I was laid off from my corporate job 5 years ago. Turns out, it was the best thing that could've happened to my career. (Business Insider)
I Spent the Day With a European Personal Shopper — Here Are 11 Spring Styles She Said My Wardrobe Was Missing (Travel + Leisure)
First Look: Virgin Atlantic Opens its Latest Clubhouse in Los Angeles (Business Traveler USA)
The Best Drink for Dehydration in 2025, Tested and Reviewed (Yahoo)
The 9 Best Products for Sleeping on a Plane, Tested and Reviewed (Travel + Leisure)
15 April Baby Names for Spring's Newest Bundles (Good Houskeeping)
My Doctor Dad Tells Me to Always Have These 10 Items in My Carry-on While Traveling 'Just in Case' (Travel + Leisure)
7 Purim Traditions to Celebrate the Joyful Spring Holiday (Good Housekeeping)
These 12 Luxury Luggage Pieces Make It Look Like You’re Sitting in First Class — Even if You’re in Coach (Travel + Leisure)
23 best Hyatt hotels in the world (The Points Guy)
The Best Luxury Bathrobes of 2025, Tested and Reviewed (Travel + Leisure)
21 Surprising Celebrity Oscars Hosts Through the Years (Good Housekeeping)
I've traveled to Las Vegas dozens of times over 25 years. Here are 5 things I love to do when I'm in town by myself. (Business Insider)
5-4-3-2-1 Is The Simple Packing Method That Will Keep You Organized On Your Next Trip (Southern Living)
I've Been Traveling to Las Vegas for 25 Years — These Are 12 Things I Never Forget to Pack, From $13 (Travel + Leisure)
I wanted to spoil my sister for her 50th birthday with an indulgent trip. She never treats herself. (Business Insider)
Traveling Can Be Risky — but These 8 Items Can Keep You Safe Anywhere, According to a Security Expert (Travel + Leisure)
How To Pack Clothes For Travel So They Don't Wrinkle (Southern Living)
15 Charming Names for Babies Born in March (Good Housekeeping)
I let my 10-year-old twins roam free with no supervision on vacation. The week had a huge effect on them. (Business Insider)
In-flight Theft Happens More Than You Think — but These 10 Items Can Help Keep Your Stuff Safe, From $7 (Travel + Leisure)
I Just Went to a Celeb-loved Tropical Island — These Are the 15 Resort-inspired Styles I'm Adding to My Closet (Travel + Leisure)
Need to Sweeten the Deal? Here’s How Seller Concessions Work in Real Estate (HomeLight)
The Real Star of ‘The White Lotus’ Is the Four Seasons: These Are the Five-Star Hotels to Book Before Season 3 Inspires a Reservation Rush (The Hollywood Reporter)
I planned a fabulous girls' weekend in Las Vegas. Our perfect 48-hour itinerary checked all the boxes. (Business Insider)
I thought I was dressing for my body after pregnancy, but a stylist fixed one mistake that was ruining all my outfits (Insider)
What Is It Like to Fly Through the PS Private Terminal at LAX (Business Traveler USA)
The 9 Best Swimsuit Cover-ups, Tested and Reviewed (Travel + Leisure)
21 Songs From the 1990s That Feel Like They Came Out Yesterday (Good Housekeeping)
As a Frequent Flier, I Swear by a Blazer for Effortless Travel Outfits — Here Are 15 Favorites Starting at $26 (Travel + Leisure)
I've planned girls' trips with my friend group for decades. Now, we bring our daughters to pass down the tradition. (Business Traveler)
Holiday Foods You Can And Can’t Take Through Security, According To The TSA (Southern Living)
4 Expert Tips For Traveling With Gifts This Holiday Season (Southern Living)
The 12 Best Comfortable, Podiatrist-approved Boots for Winter Travel — Starting at $60 (Travel + Leisure)
I hated feeling like I had nothing to wear, so I hired a personal stylist. I got a whole new look without buying anything new. (Business Insider)
My sister and I have wildly different vacation styles. Dragging her family on my kind of trip was eye-opening. (Business Insider)
As a Frequent Flier, a Stylish Matching Set Is My Travel Day Secret — Shop My 14 Favorites From $33 (Travel + Leisure)
The 28 best gifts for walkers of all ages and all levels (Yahoo)
I Visit England Every Year, and These Are the 15 Cozy Style Tips I Picked Up From Locals (Travel + Leisure)
Signs You Need to Do a Friendship Audit ASAP (Woman’s Day)
First Look: Delta One Lounge Opens Its Doors at LAX (Business Traveler USA)
10 Airport Mistakes I See Travelers Make — and What You Should Do Instead to Save Time and Money (Travel + Leisure)
My 10-year-old twins have the most luxurious travel life ever. They’re in for a rude awakening when they grow up (Business Insider)
The One Thing Experts Say You’re Forgetting to Book Before You Board Your Cruise Ship (Southern Living)
The 24 Best Luxury Hotel Bedding Pieces of 2024 (Travel + Leisure)
Does Alcohol Ever Fit Into a Healthy Diet? (The Well)
8 best all-inclusive resorts and packages in Bora Bora (The Points Guy)
I Hauled Dagne Dover’s New Suitcase All Over Japan — Here’s Why It’s My New Favorite Travel Bag (Travel + Leisure)
Sleepwalking: what causes walking in your sleep and how does it affect your health (Yahoo)
How to Pack for Heat and Humidity, According to Style and Beauty Experts (Southern Living)
What Is It Like to Fly Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 in Upper Class? (Business Traveler USA)
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)
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 Hotels in Kauai (Travel + Leisure)

Open jobs

Job posts in this newsletter are now a free perk for paying subscribers. Do you have an open opportunity you want me to promote? First, upgrade here if you need to. Then email me at info@alicedubin.com.

Modern Currency PR’s Digital Studio is currently seeking a Digital Marketing Director with 4-5 years of direct experience in social media strategy & management. The ideal candidate has a passion for hospitality (food, travel, etc.), excellent managerial and organizational skills, strategic campaign development and execution experience, and a strong handle on social media. “They must enjoy managing but also executing strategy, and enjoy wearing multiple hats, including securing notable influencer, tastemaker, and Social Media Editor results, developing compelling content creation that builds client following/engagement, as well as unique & innovative digital partnerships/collaborations, on a daily basis.” MCPR offers generous benefits, including a work-from-anywhere program, 401k matching, comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision, life), generous PTO, summer Fridays, annual holiday office closures, PR travel perks, incredible mentorship, training, and more. While this is a remote position, candidates must be based in Los Angeles to ensure on-site presence at select meetings, client venues, and events as needed. Interested candidates can drop us a line with resume at contact@moderncurrencypr.com.
GV Public Relations is currently looking to hire an account director. This person needs to be based in LA and have 6-8+ years working in travel and hospitality PR, preferably at an agency. “The AD would work on acclaimed travel and hospitality clients that span hotels, resorts, destinations, restaurants, real estate companies, and hotel management companies across the country. The ideal hire excels at consistently providing thoughtful communication in a fast-paced, autonomous environment and mentoring other team members. GVPR offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits.” Interested candidates can email their resumes and cover letters to: greta@gvpublicrelations.com. More information on LinkedIn.
Modern Currency PR is also hiring a highly skilled, scrappy, and strategic public relations account supervisor with 3-4 years of public relations agency experience within the hospitality, culinary, travel, tourism, restaurant and/or consumer lifestyle arenas. MCPR offers generous benefits, including a work-from-anywhere program, 401k matching, comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision, life), generous PTO, summer Fridays, annual holiday office closures, PR travel perks, incredible mentorship, training, and more. “Those who enjoy a small-company feel and who are drawn to a service-based and hospitality-driven culture should apply. While this is a remote position, candidates must be based in Los Angeles to ensure on-site presence at select meetings, client venues, and events as needed. Interested candidates can drop us a line with resume at contact@moderncurrencypr.com.”

I am 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.