What happened in Vegas

Well, I’m back from my girls’ trip in Las Vegas and it turns out it’s exhausting to party like you’re 25 when you’re [decidedly not 25 anymore].

We celebrated a birthday (mine!), a divorce (not mine!), and life and friendship in general — all, by coincidence, on the 13th anniversary of my Vegas bachelorette party! We thought that girls’ trip was the one to end them all… but this one gave it a run for its money.

Alesandra Dubin

Alesandra Dubin on Instagram: “So much to celebrate 🎉🙏💕”

July 10, 2023

(I even got to grab a quick but cherished breakfast with

Aly Walansky

on her way out of town from an unrelated trip!)

Shouts out to the good people at MGM, Caesars, the Tao Group, and Fantasy Lab for spoiling us with amazing food and drinks (so. many. drinks.) and experiences all in service of making memories of a lifetime. Truly an unforgettable trip!

Headed to Vegas soon? Here are the highlights of my (frankly perfect) weekend itinerary for inspiration:

• Hotel: Aria

• Happy hour: Sunset cocktails at the Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard pool

• Dinner night 1: Cathedrale

• Day club: Liquid Pool Lounge

• Immersive art experience: Fantasy Lab Las Vegas

• Dinner/drinks night 2: Vanderpump a Paris

• Nightclub: Encore Beach Club

• Sunday brunch: Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars

• Pool cabana: Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars

  Alesandra Dubin

  

  Alesandra Dubin on Instagram: “Seriously though, Vegas was the BEST. Now to slather on some Icy Hot and sleep for a month. ✌️”

  July 10, 2023

  Related reading

• This is the absolute worst time to pitch this summer

Tools of the trade

• My professional guru Jennifer Goforth Gregory has 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 Parents, I’m working on a roundup of the best sandboxes. In addition to product recs, I’m seeking relevant experts — for instance, a pediatrician and/or maybe someone who specializes in kids’ play — to comment. I am also seeking a real parent who owns a sandbox to comment. Thank you!

Recently published or updated

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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.

• A Design Partnership is hiring for a full-time account director to join its brands team. This person would need to be very familiar with affiliate and working with DTC brands. Candidates can email their resume and cover letter to hello@adesignpartnership.com.

• Modern Currency PR is hiring a PR account executive. Applicants must have at least two years of direct experience in PR with well-rounded hospitality, lifestyle, travel, food, and/or lifestyle media contacts. “Must possess a true go-getter mentality, love of luxury travel, restaurants, food culture/lifestyle, and wanderlust for international travel/tourism.” Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and have foundational PR experience working with hospitality, culinary, lifestyle, and travel brands. Be a “self starter with innovative ideas who is ready to hit the ground running!” This position is fully remote but must be based in L.A. with the ability to be mobile for on-site client meetings/shoots/media tours and meet-ups etc. For more information and to submit a resume, contact meghan@moderncurrencypr.com.

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 the Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.

• Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

• Donate to Planned Parenthood.