The surprising (?) state of the industry and a cool new Zoom feature

...plus, fresh press opps and recently published stories.

Hello all! Requesting pitches for my first-ever Brides story below. But starting off today with a few industry musings:

First, Zoom announced a new, soon-to-be-enabled meetings feature that sounds really cool. Beginning next week, users will automatically gain access to continuous meeting chat, which will allow meeting attendees to chat before, during, and after a meeting. I think this will have tons of useful, practical applications and help keep the conversation going. Here’s more about enabling continuous meeting chat FYI.

Second, let’s chat about the state of the industry for a moment. I was heartened by the results of content marketing expert Jennifer Goforth Gregory’s recent poll among hundreds of freelance writers.

TL; DR: It revealed that people are generally experiencing professional abundance as well as optimism about the future — and most people haven’t lost a stitch of work yet to AI. This dovetails with my own experience at this stage, despite lots of doomsaying (and actual doom) swirling around the industry and the economy as a whole.

Related: Let’s talk for a second about Hollywood on strike. The writers’ guild has been on strike for weeks already. And while the directors have averted a strike, the actors have voted to authorize one. I live and work in Los Angeles, and I see and feel the pervasive fallout from a work stoppage affecting the metro’s major industry. But I’m wondering — are others working in media around the country also experiencing effects? Weigh in here:

Related reading:

• One thing publicists need to do TODAY in response to the editorial layoffs

• 6 Takeaways for Publicists Amid Heavy Media Layoffs

Tools of the trade

• Speaking of the brilliant and effective Jennifer Goforth Gregory, she’s 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. And it’s even kinda fun, too (if you’re a digital media nerd, like me). Sign up for the course here. And if you take it, do tell me what you think!
  

• 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.

• 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. 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 my first piece for Brides, I’m working on a roundup of “something blue” jewelry. I’m also seeking a wedding-style expert to provide commentary.

Recently published or updated

• 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)

• 10 Best Cooling Pajamas for Women to Keep You Comfortable (Woman’s Day)

• Flying the Delta One Suite on the New Airbus A330neo from London to Los Angeles (Business Traveler)

• I visited London for King Charles III's coronation and scoured the city for all the fun, kitschy souvenirs I could find (Insider)

• 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)

• 8 gorgeous luxury hotels that start under $150 a night, from a Bali jungle mansion with 5 pools for $86 to a castle-like villa in Italy for $137 (Insider)

• The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)

• 9 eco-friendly things you can do on any vacation that sustainable-travel experts say add up to make a big difference (Insider)

• Samsonite Luggage, Flight Attendant-loved Packing Cubes, and More Are Almost 80% Off at Amazon This Weekend (Travel + Leisure)

• 50 Best Gifts for the Mom Who Has Everything (Woman’s Day)

• 8 Parent-loved Water Shoes That Are Comfortable, Durable, and Under $30 (Travel + Leisure)
  The Ultimate Packing List for Long-haul Flights (Travel + Leisure)

• 11 One-and-done Travel Dresses Under $50 That Will Make Any Mom Feel Comfortable and Stylish (Travel + Leisure)

• The 13 Best Cashmere Sweaters of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 5 Scooter Suitcases Loved by Parents and Kids — All Under $150 (Travel + Leisure)

• Saatva’s *affordable* foam mattress topper totally transformed my years-old mattress (Real Homes)

• 31 Best Dresses on Amazon to Wear This Spring and Summer (Woman’s Day)

• The 12 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments, According to Dermatologists (Prevention)

• The 20 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 38 of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World (Town & Country)

• 20 Appropriate Bar Mitzvah Gifts He's Sure to Cherish (Woman’s Day)

• 20 Best Bat Mitzvah Gifts to Honor Her Major Milestone (Woman’s Day)

• These Rent-to-Own Homes Programs to Help You Get Into That House (HomeLight)

• 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)

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.

FACTEUR PR is hiring for two positions as follows:

• Assistant Account Executive, full-time, remote, must be Miami/South FL based. Job provides essential support for outreach efforts on behalf of lifestyle clients. Day-to-day support to the team in the planning, development, and execution of public relations campaigns, including across media relations, influencer relations, partnerships, and events. The successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work while delivering under tight deadlines and achieving success for our clients. Learn more and apply here.

• Assistant Manager, Brand & Influencer Partnerships, responsible for securing, managing, and measuring strategic relationships for clients across influencer and talent relations and special events, which will help elevate their brand awareness and ultimately attract new clients and customers. The role will require an integrated approach across public relations, social media, and marketing, working closely with internal team and clients. 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

• Help with the relief efforts following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Donate to Unicef or Save the Children.

• 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.