Aly's Newsletter: TGIF Edition!
So many new stories!
Good morning, friends!
Happy Friday!
Like many of you, I was glued to my TV last night (well, my mom’s TV because I don’t have HBO Max at my place), and watched the latest installment of Sex and the City, And Just Like That. While certain parts were pretty (ok, VERY) upsetting…I actually loved both episodes and thought they were very well done.
The night had extra ambiance because Absolut sent us their Cocktail Courier Cosmopolitan kit for the occasion. Quite obviously, the Cosmo is the only acceptable beverage to enjoy while watching Sex and the City.
Related: How would you feel right now if you were Peleton? To me, this was the most disastrous product placement since the Crockpot on This Is Us! But, I’d love your thoughts - comment below if you want to chat all things SATC/This Is Us/and of course, crockpots. Not Peletons though. I know nothing of such things.
Some housekeeping
As many of you know, I often do some virtual consulting (via Zoom, ideally), with PR teams, offering thoughts from a media perspective on everything from events (virtual and IRL), to mailings to press trips and pitching. If your team is ever looking for some sort of virtual Q&A situation, you can email me at any time!
Recently, a few notes have popped up in my inbox asking me to discuss my thoughts on end of year holiday gifts. Like what works, what doesn’t, what people are most likely to use.
I want to take a moment to say - as in all situations - gifts are never necessary or expected. But, of course, should you decide to send them to writers and editors, the thought is always appreciated. (But again, by no means necessary or expected.)
That said, as far as the best gifts? Those that people will actually use. Now, that can be different for different people. For me, the gifts that get me the most excited are things like Uber gift cards, or Amazon, Seamless, Instacart, etc. I’d much rather someone send that than a box of cookies or candy or flowers or branded merchandise. But for another person, it might be something else entirely.
I think though ultimately, everyone prefers gifts that give them access to those things they most want and will use, and so meaningfully experience. Hope that’s helpful, but you can ALWAYS comment below or email me if you want me to flesh those thoughts out a bit more!
Here’s what I’m working on right now…
1. Today.com: I'm rounding up December holiday food deals (as in restaurants/chains), as well as a list of free food offers for December. I'm not interested in stand alone one location deals, but rather at chains.
2. Clean Plates: For Clean Plates, I'm still taking responses from dietitians and nutritionists, regarding their healthiest weight loss strategies. It's a New Year's themed piece, naturally! We want to focus largely on nourishing ourselves and adding healthy foods to our plates in the New Year, rather than deprivation. Please email me if you have anyone who can weigh in.
3. For SPY.com, I'm still rounding up the best edible gifts, thru EOD today. I'm also now working on the following for next week:
a - best iced tea makers
b - best beverage dispensers
c - best calendar apps
d - best valentine's day gift ideas for new relationships
e - best garage floor mats
4. For Forbes.com, I'm rounding up sparkling wine cocktail ideas for NYE. I'm not interested in being pitched by brands. (I.e. xyz vodka or abc limes sending me a recipe involving their vodka or limes.) - but rather from bars/restaurants, pitching me something on their menu. To pitch me, please include the following:
Name of drink, where sold (restaurant/bar, city, state), description of drink (not a recipe), quote from bartender/manager about drink (include the person quoted name please), and an image of the drink.
As always, please start a new email thread for each pitch and email it to alywalansky@gmail.com, do not just hit reply on this newsletter. (And I know I sound repetitive saying this, but it happens time and again…)
OK, and here’s some stories that have published in the last few days…
The Kitchn
Chip Krispy Treats Are the Salty Spin on Your Childhood Favorite That You Need to Try
10 of the Best Things TikTok Taught Us in 2021 That We’ll Be Taking into the New Year
SPY.com
The Best Places To Buy Christmas Ornaments In 2021
The Best Holiday Gift Baskets for Men In 2021
Tasting Table
11 Mistakes Everyone Makes With Sous Vide
have a great weekend!
<3
aly