Stranded in paradise (!)
Today was supposed to be the first real back-to-work day of the new year, and my kids’ first day of school after break. But we find ourselves in a predicament.
We were scheduled to fly back from Hawaii to LAX yesterday…. on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9. Needless to say, our flight was cancelled amid the grounding of the aircraft, and there were no available alternatives, as displaced passengers rushed to book other flights on similar routes. As I write this, there are still no real viable options to get home before Wednesday or so, so we wait.
I have my laptop and I’m working from the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea — an absolutely dreamy remote office (and the evocative filming location for White Lotus season one — cue the theme song in my head), so I can hardly complain — and my kids are in the pool. I’ve asked their teachers to send work digitally, but nothing has come through yet. The tiniest violin plays for these children.
Of course, I’m pitching stories around this very surreal detour pegged to the buzzy travel news of the moment, so I hope to have a link to share soon!
Meanwhile, the usual stuff goes on with new pitch calls below…
Tools of the trade
Is anyone using Press Hook yet? If you haven’t heard of it, it’s designed as a platform to connect journalists looking for story sources with brands who want to showcase their products and experts. 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). Give it a try — right now there’s a 14-day free trial available — and let me know what you think.
Jennifer Goforth Gregory launched a course that I consider essential continuing ed right now: “Improve Your Productivity With AI Tools.” The course is geared toward not only understanding the fundamentals of AI for business writing but also knowing how to use it to actually make your job easier. You also get access to a live monthly Q&A so I consider this a great bargain at $125 (and it’s a write-off, to boot). I learned so much from it. It’s really not daunting — just a straightforward tool, broken up into easily digestible short sessions, with learnings you can implement right away. Sign up for the course here.
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.
Recently published or updated
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)
32 Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Wife That Show You Really See Her (Woman’s Day)
Amazon’s Most Wished-for Travel Products of 2023 Start at Just $10 — and Can Still Arrive Before the Holidays (Travel + Leisure)
Obsessed With Staying In Bed? It Could Be Dysania (The Well)
I’m a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 12 Travel Essentials I’m Eyeing From Amazon for the Holidays (Travel + Leisure)
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)
I’m a Frequent Flier, and I'll Be Living in These 12 Warm and Comfy Travel Outfits This Winter (Travel + Leisure)
13 Best Clothing Subscription Boxes to Refresh Your Wardrobe (Woman’s Day)
The 10 Best Essentials to Pack for Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort and Other Warm-Weather Theme Parks (The Hollywood Reporter)
I’m a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 16 Cyber Monday Deals I've Been Waiting to Buy All Year (Travel + Leisure)
MadeRight CA’s Venice Sofa Review: American Sofa Made-to-Order and Built-to-Last (Living Cozy)
The Best Luxury Gifts to Splurge on for Your Loved Ones in 2023 (Woman’s Day)
15 Genius Amazon Products That Make Holiday Travel So Much Easier — From Just $8 (Travel + Leisure)
20 Festive Nail Designs to Try for Hanukkah (Good Housekeeping)
Alo’s Epic Sitewide Sale Has Deals Up to 70% Off — and We’re Eyeing These Comfy, Celeb-loved Sneakers (Travel + Leisure)
The Best New York City Hotels for Families to Make Everyone Feel Right at Home (Town & Country)
28 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds in 2023 (Woman’s Day)
These 12 Crossbody Bags Help Prevent Pickpocketing (Travel + Leisure)
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)
12 Cozy Things to Pack If You're Always Freezing on Flights — Starting at $17 (Travel + Leisure)
25 Dressy and Casual Christmas Party Outfit Ideas for 2023 (Woman’s Day)
3 Hanukkah Blessings to Help You Celebrate the Festival of Lights (Woman’s Day)
31 Best Gifts and Toys for 9-Year-Olds in 2023 (Woman’s Day)
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)
17 Best V-Neck T-Shirts for Women to Wear All Year Long (Woman’s Day)
The Best Apple Watch Bands for Styling Your Right-Hand Tech Tool (The Hollywood Reporter)
42 of the Best Restaurants for Birthday Dinners in NYC (Town & Country)
32 of the Best Glamping Destinations Across the United States That Are Seriously Gorgeous (Country Living)
The 12 Best Waterproof Mascaras of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)
Ten Hollywood-Famous Airbnbs for Experiencing Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows in Real Life (The Hollywood Reporter)
8 Best Sunglasses Cases of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)
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)
25 Best Girls' Trip Ideas for an Unforgettable Getaway With Your Friends (Woman’s Day)
The Best Conditioners for Kids for All Hair Types (Verywell Family)
The Best Balance Bikes for Kids Ready to Zoom Off on Two Wheels (Parents)
40 of the Best Michelin-Starred Restaurants in NYC (Town & Country)
5 Lessons Event Profs Can Learn From Upper-Class Airline Service (BizBash)
The Best Graduation Gifts to Celebrate Huge Milestones at Every Age (Parents)
Want a Relaxing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Hop on a Train. (AFAR)
The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)
38 of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World (Town & Country)
The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles (Esquire)
The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas (Esquire)
Open press opportunities
For Woman’s Day, I’m working on a roundup of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for pregnant wife. (*braces for inbox onslaught*)
For Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a roundup of the best comfy sneakers and winter boots available on Amazon. (Yes, all must be currently available on Amazon!)
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.
Destination Cleveland is hiring a director of out-of-market media relations. “Must be a solutions-oriented, strategic and creative thinker with keen attention to detail and a strong sense of urgency. They will set strategies and work with team members, contractors and agency partners to garner media coverage of Cleveland as a place to visit and host a meeting in trade, drive-market, national and international media outlets. Additionally, they will work with the VP, PR & Communications to manage the strategic development and implementation of a media relations effort that positions Cleveland as a place to live and work in national and international media outlets. This individual is accountable for developing and executing a strategic plan, developing direct reports and meeting or exceeding metrics-based goals.” 12-15 years PR experience. Salary: $95,000. Apply here.
GV Public Relations is growing and is looking to hire someone based in Los Angeles who has 3-5 years’ experience working in travel and hospitality PR. “We are seeking a candidate who loves all things travel; is driven, dedicated and enthusiastic; pays close attention to detail; is a good multitasker and can work on multiple accounts at once; is organized and a good writer.” Remote work environment, medical insurance, 401K matches, a generous vacation policy, and a year-end bonus. Contact: greta@gvpublicrelations.com.
Quinn is also hiring for several positions:
An account supervisor in a commutable distance to NYC. 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.
An account executive in the Miami 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 on real estate or luxury brands. Candidates can learn more and apply here.
An account executive within a commutable distance to Miami: The ideal candidate will have two+ years of PR agency experience working on travel and FWS brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can learn more and apply here.
An account executive also within a commutable distance to Miami or NYC: The ideal candidate will have two+ years of PR agency experience working with luxury hospitality and hotel brands. Candidates can learn more and apply here.
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 American Friends of Magen David Adom, 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.
It sucks that you're stranded but Maui is not a bad place to be, LOL!
Well I'm certainly glad that's where you got stranded of all places! good luck getting home!