You gotta play to win...

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Yes, I went in on a Mega Millions lottery pool. Anyone else? It’s just such a silly, fun, all-American exercise to dream about what it would be like to suddenly come into a cool $1B.

Related: Is anyone watching Maya Rudolph in Loot? In it, she suddenly comes into a cool… $87B. I’m guessing it will all wrap up with existential redemption and true love to boot. I love watching her. And hey, who couldn’t use a good Hollywood ending amid [gestures at literally everything]?

What a great response to my last newsletter about how to have success pitching holiday gift guides! Thrilled you found it so valuable.

I’m always open to subscriber requests: What topic would you love to see covered in a future newsletter?

Upgrade your subscription

• I’m now offering my industry insights exclusively to paid subscribers. Upgrade your subscription to access the full archives (including my timely tips for pitching holiday gift guides), as well as get future tips direct to your inbox.

• Remember I’m offering paid subscribers one-on-one AMA calls in lieu of group Zooms for a limited time! Paid subscribers, email me to get your call on the calendar. (I’ve so enjoyed meeting many of you already!)

Things I love

• 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.

• 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.

Open press opportunities

• For Prevention, I’m working on a story about the best glass water bottles and I’m open to your relevant pitches.

• Also for Prevention, I’m working on a story about juicing for weight loss. I’m looking for qualified RDNs or MDs (only, please) who can contribute feedback. What is juicing? Is juicing good for weight loss? Is juicing actually healthy/dangerous? Who should avoid juicing?

Recently published

• Five Essential Exhibits Worth Traveling for This Summer and Beyond (AFAR)

• This Polished Lounge Set Is My Travel Go-to — and It's on Sale Right Now (Travel + Leisure)

• Here's How to Wear Summer's Hottest Print — From Comfy Sneakers to Dresses (Travel + Leisure)

• How My Kids Fared in Bora Bora, A Honeymooner’s Paradise (Ultimate Family Vacations, print feature beginning on page 26)

• 60 Good Questions to Ask to Get to Know Someone Better, According to Experts (Prevention)

• 30 Best Labor Day Quotes That Express the Real Reason for the Holiday (Woman’s Day)

• The Best 40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Every Budget (Woman’s Day)

• How to Effectively Argue About Abortion Rights With People Who Just Don't Get It (Glamour)

• 15 Best Haunted House Movies You Really Shouldn't Watch Alone (Good Housekeeping)

• The 9 Wildest Perks You'll Ever Encounter at a Hotel (Best Life)

• I love to travel with my kids but not if we have to share a tiny hotel room. Here are 10 US hotels with the largest standard rooms, from Disneyland to Maui. (Insider)

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.

Open job alert

“Modern Currency PR is growing. A grateful place to be – MCPR is looking for a well-rounded hospitality + travel-focused Account Executive (or Senior Account Executive) to join our team this Summer with 2 – 4 years of experience, genuine passion/drive for the industry, a great attitude and 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. Win-win-win!”

Interested? Message me and I’m happy to make the direct connect.

How to help

• Donate to the Uvalde Victims Relief Fund and to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

• Donate to keep the Kyiv Independent going and keep Ukraine’s media going. 

• Donate to Planned Parenthood… march, fight, and VOTE!