Friday: Ending the week with a lot going on in the media world...
Also: nudity, mac and cheese, and connecting on Threads...
Good morning and happy Friday!
So…the writers strike is now an actors strike as well and that is going to impact a whole lot of people and industries, including a lot of us in this community.
(This is a very big deal. It’s the first time writers and actors have been on strike at the same time in like 60 years.)
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No celebrity interviews, appearances, hell even all that Barbie marketing muscle we’ve seen the last few weeks is about to pause…(but my hope is that with so many people impacted in such a huge way, this won’t go on too much longer.)
SAG leaders actually had a virtual meeting with publicists earlier this week to say what would happen in the event of the strike (which is now happening as of today). It would impact everything from photo shoots to interviews to red carpets, premiere parties…however, actors are still allowed to do press for things unrelated to their acting. So, like if they wrote a book or own a tequila brand, that still is OK.
One thing is for sure: None of us completely understand what is going on and it’s going to lead to a rather chaotic, confusing ecosystem for a while but as always - It’s so important as members of the media landscape that we stand with the writers and the actors in their taking a stand against unfair and greedy companies.
The world is very hard and very confusing lately, on all sorts of fronts, but as usual, and as always, we’re all here to get through these times together.
In other news…
As I said this morning on Threads (please look for me there so we can connect!), it’s a weird, weird world that makes National Nude Day and National Mac and Cheese Day the same day…
While I don’t have much written in the way of nudity (though you can always check out this classic story of mine where I interviewed some adult film stars about how to look better naked), I have a lot written on the theme of mac and cheese. It’s actually one of my favorite foods!
For Forbes, here’s 25 delicious ways to enjoy mac and cheese, and from a little while ago, here’s a Today.com piece I wrote where I chatted with a bunch of celebrity chefs about the best mac and cheese they ever ate.
But if you are trying to keep it healthy (and simple), here’s a Clean Plates story I wrote that serves as a guide to healthier store-bought mac and cheese.
Enough about that topic because I’m starting to get a bit hungry…
This was a great but busy week that included a healthy mix of writing, binging True Blood (yes, that show from a decade ago. It holds up surprisingly well), and some really fun events — including this one I attended on Wednesday.
Yes, I’ll sometimes (if deadlines allow…) break my no daytime events rules when it involves THAT.
Have a great weekend, and I hope it involves nudity, mac and cheese, or, if you are especially lucky, both.
Job leads
I’m always thrilled to share your job leads in this newsletter. I’m happy to share these leads for free, at any time. Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com if you have any leads to share!
PKPR is looking for an Account Coordinator (PR) to join their NYC team for a hybrid role (3 days in office, 2 remote). Applicants should be highly organized, creative, and have one year of PR experience! For more information on the position and to submit a resume, please contact helena@pkpr.com.
Newly published or freshly updated
Since people are often asking about the status of stories from a while ago, and I only share stories in this newsletter that were published or updated in the current week, I have created a list of my author pages at various publications to which I contribute. Bookmark it and make your life a bit easier.
This list will live on my Substack URL and be updated as necessary. That way, you can see what I’m doing at any publication, at any time, from types of stories to general structure of stories to even volume and frequency of my content at that outlet.
This can also help you to target pitching a bit better. That makes your job easier, and mine too!
PS: I love doing podcasts! Check out my guest appearance on Media Circus Podcast with Taiisha Bradley last week, as well as the Italian Wine Podcast recently, where we discussed all things Substack. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we chatted about everything from press dinners and events and trips to, well, sippin’! I’ve recorded a few others that should be live soon as well and I’m always open to doing more — email me at alywalansky@gmail.com.
Forbes.com: 35 Delectable Ways To Embrace Luxury While Dining Out On National Caviar Day
Food Network: Entenmann’s and Baked by Melissa Pair Up to Make Limited-Edition Mini Cupcakes
Clean Plates: The Best Kirkland Products At Costco That Are Seriously High Quality
Clean Plates: 13 Trader Joe’s Dairy-Free Items That Actually Taste Good
Clean Plates: 10 Panera Meals Nutritionists Actually Order
If you or your client are featured in any of these stories, I super appreciate any social media shares! Please remember to tag @alywalansky and the outlet.
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.
Please remember when pitching me: Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com - do NOT just hit reply on this newsletter, or there’s a good shot your email will be lost in the heap. Give your email a subject line that makes it clear which story you are pitching me for — it’ll help you in the long run.
Please consult my industry insights guides on submitting expert commentary, sending emails that will catch a journalist’s attention, how to craft pitches journalists will say ‘yes’ to, and the right and wrong way to submit photos, if you need any extra guidance before sending your pitches.
Forbes
National Tequila Day is soon and I’m rounding up creative and Instagram-worthy tequila-based cocktails around the country. Please don’t send me a basic margarita - if you are going to send a margarita, let it be a unique and interesting one. If you have anything to pitch for this, please send:
Name of drink
where available (city, state, name of restaurant — it MUST be on a bar/restaurant menu or be a special that someone can order)
Description (a recipe is not necessary)
Quote about drink (please remember to include who is being quoted)
LINK to image and appropriate photo credits (even better if you include those photo credits in the file name of the photo)
I’m also rounding up great dishes in honor of National Oyster Day, which is the first week in August. Same parameters as above - please only pitch me when you have all the components (emailing me without the, say, image or quote, is the same as not emailing me at all.)
Looking to up your affiliate marketing game?
Affiliate marketing is complicated, and it seems that the landscape keeps changing. If you are looking to be prepared for gift guide season and all other shopping-related content, you may want to try the 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!)
Virtual (and now in-person!) consulting sessions...
Looking for a consult as you plan your next event or trip? Or just want someone to take a look at the pitches you’ve been sending and give some feedback?
I've been popping into a lot of PR team virtual meetings and some other fun stuff and making myself available to answer all sorts of questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective. I like to keep these things chill and comfortable and relaxed all by sharing perspective and learning from one another. Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat!
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!
Have a great day!
Thank you for sharing your insights on how the strike could affect the media industry!