Thoughts on AI headshots... and new press opps

Oh, look, it’s raining in Los Angeles. Shocker.

If you read Aly Walansky’s newsletter today, you will know that she is experimenting with AI-generated headshots. Inspired by her experiment, I had to try this for myself. If you too are intrigued, you can go to TryItOn AI, upload a bunch of recent photos, pay $17, and wait for the robots to whip up a 100-image “photo shoot.” (Results are promised in 10 to 24 hours, but my robots must be lazy because I’m going on 16 or so and still I wait.)

I’m fascinated by this for many reasons. One is that it behooves us all to watch where AI technology is going so we don’t get steamrolled by it. Another is that I’d needed headshots for years before I finally pulled the trigger on my new headshots last year.; I was daunted. They didn’t come cheap, of course not — the photographer is a talented, experienced professional. But I was happy with the results, and glad the multi-hour effort was behind me.

I am quite often asked to provide headshots — for podcasts, for author pages, for bios associated with print or digital stories. It would be neat if I had options to choose from without trying to figure out my outfit, sitting for hair and makeup, shelling out a big wad of cash, and blocking out a half day for a shoot. Of course, I’m skeptical; we well know the current limits of AI. But I’m intrigued — I’ll report back.

What do you think?

Related reading:

• 6 of Your Most Urgent Questions About AI and Media — Answered

• WTF are we supposed to do with AI? 5 ways to make it work for you right now

RSVP for the press trips AMA

• The big press trips Zoom session, which I’m hosting along with my frequent-traveler/lifestyle writer colleagues Aly Walansky and Jill Schildhouse, is set for April 12 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET. You won’t want to miss this presentation + Q&A session — it’s going to be piping-hot tea. In order to RSVP for this event, you must be a paid subscriber to all three of our Substacks. Looking forward to it!

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.

• 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 Travel + Leisure, I’m working on a story about highly reviewed or best-selling water shoes for kids under $30.

• For a feature story in the travel trade magazine The Compass, I am working on a story about sustainable travel and what role agents should play. I’m seeking travel agents keyed into this topic with smart feedback to share.

• For AFAR, I’m working on a story about California rail travel. If you work with any of the following (only), please do reach out: Amtrak, Napa Valley Wine Train, Skunk Train, River Fox Train.

Recently published or updated

• Woah, We Found 80 Travel Deals Hiding at Amazon for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Up to 80% Off (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 Packable Jackets for Women and Men of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 8 mood trackers beloved by our readers for mental health management (Insider)

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

• The 107 Best Amazon Deals We Found on Travel Gear in February (Travel + Leisure)

• 40+ Best Easter Crafts for Kids of All Ages (Woman’s Day)

• 25 Best Adult Easter Egg Hunt Ideas for Big or Small Groups (Woman’s Day)

• 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 15 Best Loungewear Sets for Women of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 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)

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.

• Havas Formula is seeking a San Diego-based account executive/senior account executive. Hybrid (two days in office per week). Candidates should have 3 to 4 years’ experience in PR, influencer marketing, and social media. Team is looking for “a strong storyteller with the ability to articulate brand narrative. Must be self-motivated, collaborative and results driven. Solid and growing presentation skills. Can foster media relationships to ensure brand/client coverage, all while providing top-notch client service.” Learn more and apply here.

• Wholesome PR is “seeking a passionate PR pro to join its team, providing PR support to brands that produce high-quality products, primarily in the food and CPG space. The ideal candidate is a self-starter PR practitioner who has their finger on the pulse of media in the food/CPG space, is a creative and strategic thinker, and is an excellent writer. The position would entail pitching media and coordinating influencer campaigns and all tasks related.” You can learn more here. Please share a bit about yourself in a cover letter when you apply to Jennifer@wholesomepr.com.

• Modern Currency PR  is looking for a well-rounded luxury travel and hospitality-focused Account Supervisor. “As part of the senior management team at MCPR, you will have the opportunity for both tactical account management, as well as broader leadership where you can offer coaching, guidance, and career support to your direct report and account teams working closely with the Director and President. We see you leading the charge on actively running client campaigns and developing account strategy with the agency director’s guidance, including pitching client initiatives, securing ongoing media coverage, successfully implementing client programs and year-long strategies, conducting research, overseeing reporting, and leading client relations…. You will be organizing and hosting media FAMs and press trips and playing an active role in the new business process and working on bigger placements and stories, all led by strategic and smart thinking. Competitive benefits package with a competitive base salary, new business commission structure, year-end discretionary bonus, fully remote work environment, work flex policy, birthday PTO, generous vacation policy and holiday office closures, medical insurance, travel perks, and more. Contact Meghan Patke: meghan@moderncurrencypr.com

• Modern Currency PR  is ALSO looking for a well-rounded hospitality + travel-focused Account Executive (or Senior Account Executive) with 2 – 4 years of experience (in the hospitality, culinary, travel, tourism, restaurant and/or consumer lifestyle arenas). Should have “a genuine passion/drive for the industry, creative, collaborative, and well-connected with a great go-getter attitude, solution-oriented, and possessing a strong work ethic. They would be working on some top-notch luxury travel + hospitality clients alongside an all-star team of supportive & bright colleagues with a flexible/remote working environment with ample opportunities for growth and stability with the long game in mind.” Contact Meghan Patke: meghan@moderncurrencypr.com

• Eleven Eleven PR, a Washington DC hospitality PR agency is looking for a food and beverage publicist to join its growing team. “The ideal candidate is a lover of all things F&B and travel, and can hit the ground running working with up-and-coming restaurants as well as Michelin-starred and James Beard-awarded clients. If you are looking to work with DC's leading restaurants, and the emerging hospitality scene, this is the spot for you!” More info can be found here. Please contact jobs@elevenelevenpr.co with cover letter and resume.

• FACTEUR PR is looking for a full-time, remote Account Supervisor (full-time, remote). “This person will provide strategic direction and guidance for our team as well as for our clients across PR, influencers, social media, and partnerships. The Account Supervisor possesses strong leadership skills and a deep knowledge of the integrated lifestyle media landscape.” Learn more and apply, here.

• Bon Communications is looking for an account supervisor (5+ years experience). “With a small team of senior specialists and deep connections from coast-to-coast, Bon Comms delivers the expertise of a full-service PR agency to their impressive roster of chefs, bartenders, hotels, wine/spirit professionals, interior designers and more from all over the country. This team is Denver-based, but a remote candidate is a plus!” Email cover letter/resume to Katie@boncomms.com.

• Push The Envelope PR is a full-service, boutique PR agency “representing a thoughtfully curated collection of fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. We are looking for a highly skilled mid-to-senior level candidate with agency and CPG goods experience that will bring value to our team and to our clients by professionally consulting, educating, mentoring and delivering campaign goals.” Pay in the range of $50K. Send resume and cover letter to Brittany@pushtheenvelopepr.com.

• Katalyst is hiring a publicist. “We are looking for someone that is a strong and creative writer, has a true passion for the culinary, hospitality, and lifestyle industries. Our ideal candidate is able to create engaging story ideas, pitches and marketing and social media collaborations that strategically align with our clients’ goals.” Minimum two years experience. Salary commensurate with experience but ranges from $55,000-$60,000 (with benefits, 401K, stipends, fully remote weeks, competitive PTO and sick day policy, new-business commissions, and more). The position is fully remote. Reply to Katherine@katalyst-pr.com

• Melody Joy Public Relations is seeking a full-time account coordinator (1-2+ years experience, preferably in beauty PR). “You’ll work with a diverse range of innovative beauty brands that are reshaping the industry and must have a passion for all areas of the beauty industry. Responsibilities include public relations, influencer relations, pitch writing, securing coverage with both media and influencers, and more.” The position is fully remote. Please send resume, samples of secured press, and any writing samples to hello@melodyjoypr.com with the subject  “Account Coordinator – PR & Influencer Relations.” More information and complete job description will be provided after emailing.

• 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.

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.