Aly's Newsletter: It's Finally Friday!
Inside: Some last-minute story opps and job leads before the weekend
TGIF!
This has been the longest short week ever, amiright?
Anyway…what's cooking? EVERYTHING. No, seriously.
For a long time now, readers have been messaging me asking why I don't add my Instagram story recipes to my highlights so that when the stories expire, people can still refer back to the recipes if they need to. Say, if they want to jot down ingredients or measurements or anything as they are cooking.
Answer: I was just being lazy.
I'm so sorry about not doing it sooner, but I just overnight added a dozen or so of my most requested recipes to my highlights on the grid of my Instagram. (Yay for insomnia!)
You can now refer back to them any time you want, forever. If there's anything you don't see there that I've shared before and want me to post, let me know and I'll get it up there (if I still have it!)
And the most recent addition will be this air-fried tofu I made last night (that's actually still available on my Instagram stories as well.) It came out so crunchy and delicious!
Newly published or freshly updated stories
Happy National Doughnut Day! For Today.com, I rounded up all the best doughnut freebies and deals available today: National Doughnut Day: Where to score freebies at Dunkin, 7-Eleven and more
For The Kitchn, I shared how to use a tortilla press in a completely unexpected but very exciting way — to make pie! Beware: Your mind is about to be blown.
Clean Plates: The Sunscreens You Should Avoid, According to Dermatologists (and What to Look for Instead)
TODAY: Get a sun-kissed glow without leaving the house — 27 self-tanners that'll do the trick
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Foodie Gifts For A Dad Who Loves History
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Martini Lover
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Aspirational Home Chef
HerMoney: Affordable Father's Day Gifts Under $100
HerMoney: How To Choose The Best Wine On A Budget
If you or your client are featured in any of these stories, I super appreciate any social media shares tagging @alywalansky and the outlet.
Job Leads
The Hawkins luxury travel public relations team at FINN Partners continues to expand! They are hiring for: an Account Supervisor, an Account Supervisor/Associate VP to join their integrated marketing team, and an AVP/VP to work on business development and travel accounts. All roles will have the opportunity to work on global travel accounts such as hotels and resorts, air and cruise lines, international destinations, luxury products and travel related services on a fantastic team that works hard, plays nice, and enjoys amazing perks. All roles also have the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, but should be based in the NYC metro area.
Here's what I'm working on:
Be sure to read the below list carefully. Many are stories I posted about yesterday, but some of yesterday's stories are no longer listed and a few new ones have been added since yesterday. This (below) is everything that is still a currently open opportunity as of today.
Clean Plates
I’m looking for: Healthy Costco Store Brand Items That Are Surprisingly High Quality: Personally, I'm a fan of their olive oil (and I say that as someone who has visited Italy for the olive harvest and been to many olive oil tastings), but I'd love RDs and nutritionists to weigh in on this as well... what else is there? And why is it great? Focus on organics pls <3
Forbes.com
For Forbes, I'm rounding up great cocktails to enjoy to toast to dad this Father's Day. If you have any that are a fit (MUST be on a menu or available as a special at a bar or restaurant), please send me the following:
Name of drink
where it is available (name of restaurant, location, URL)
description (not a recipe)
quote from bartender/chef about drink - please don't forget to give me the name and title of the person being quoted
image of drink (high res please)
By EOD Monday June 6 please!
RetailMeNot
Fourth of July Store Hours + Stores Open Fourth of July (similar to the Easter and Memorial Day store hours roundup I did for this same outlet). This is for major retailers, look at my versions for other holidays for an idea of what I'm looking for.
Today.com
For Today.com, I'm rounding up Father's Day and graduation related deals/freebies at chain restaurants (so if you happen to have those now feel free to send ahead!)
If pitching me restaurant deals/discounts for any of these holidays, please be sure to include what the deal is, how to claim the deal, and any disclaimers, as well as exactly how long it lasts and where it’s good. (I run into A LOT of last minute changes on these deals, so please be sure what you are pitching me is actually the deal being offered before proceeding…it helps us BOTH down the line.)
Virtual consulting sessions...
I've been popping into a lot of PR team virtual meetings and making myself available to answer all sorts of questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective. If you are interested in setting anything up for your own team in the coming months, please email me and we'll get something on the books! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts. If you are a freelance publicist and want to join in with a few other freelance publicist friends and set something up, we can do that as well!
Are you confused about affiliate marketing?
If you are having trouble learning how to navigate issues of affiliate marketing (trust me, we've all been there!), you may want to try out my friend Sarah Karger, a publicist, and former editor Dana Baardsen (and all-around fab girl!)'s Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists. It's a brilliant course and it'll answer all your questions (including some you didn't know you had!)
Download the Substack App!
Good news! This newsletter is now available via app. That means you can keep up with everything you are reading from your phone. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here. For Android users, sign up for the waiting list here.
<3
aly
Greetings