Monday: It's AMA Zoom Day! Also: New assignments, newly published stories, and A BLIND ITEM JOB LEAD.

Good morning and happy Monday!

I’m back in Brooklyn and ready to hit the ground running this week. This weekend, I finally finished Prince Harry’s Spare — I confess, I was really taking things slow on those last few chapters because I didn’t want to end. But now I’m done and can chat about it with anyone interested in sharing their thoughts and feelings.

This weekend’s industry insights edition was focused on the importance of freelancers maintaining anchor clients. You can still check it out here.

Aly Walansky alywalansky.substack.com @alywalansky

Aly Walansky's Newsletter -- Industry Insights: Why It's Important For Freelancers To Seek Out Anchor Clients

alywalansky.substack.comIndustry Insights: Why It’s Important For Freelancers To Seek Out Anchor ClientsAlso: Final reminder for Monday’s big Zoom AMA event!

I’m going to keep this morning’s newsletter short and sweet because it’s a BUSY day ahead. Jill, Alice, and I are hosting our A-US-A Zoom event in just a few hours and we’re expecting a full house! (Thanks so much for sending ahead so many amazing questions!) — very much looking forward to seeing many of you smiling across our screens shortly.

A reminder that I’m wrapping up my National Pizza Day deals story for Today.com TODAY - so if you haven’t sent your pitches for that one yet, please do so ASAP. Be sure to scroll down for specific pitching guidelines before sending :)

While browsing for those pitching guidelines, you’ll also see everything I’m working on for other outlets (as of this point) this week.

Please also be sure to scroll to the newly published/updated stories section, updated as of this morning, with lots of newly published stories — including LOTS of Valentine’s Day gift guides. (We’re almost all wrapped up there, just waiting on a few stragglers to publish, which should be any day…)

Aly Walansky alywalansky.substack.com @alywalansky

Topo Chico Wants You to Send Your Ex a Candy-Coated Scorpion This Valentine’s Day

foodnetwork.comTopo Chico Wants You to Send Your Ex a Candy-Coated Scorpion This Valentine’s DayThe safe-to-eat gift will certainly make a point.

Aly Walansky alywalansky.substack.com @alywalansky

Prep For The Big Game With Cocktails Perfect For Any Super Bowl Party via @Forbes

forbes.comPrep For The Big Game With Cocktails Perfect For Any Super Bowl PartyAs we approach the night of the big game, holding a viewing party requires some careful planning.

Job leads

Here’s a sexy blind item for you. One of my favorite PR agency friends are looking for a PR account manager with experience who can hit the ground running. This is a remote position! I can’t say who it is, but if you respond to me, I can connect you with them for more information. Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com and I’ll pass your email onto them asap!

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!

• Forbes.com: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For A Romantic Dinner At Home

• Food Network: Topo Chico Wants You to Send Your Ex a Candy-Coated Scorpion This Valentine’s Day

• Forbes: Prep For The Big Game With Cocktails Perfect For Any Super Bowl Party

• SPY.com: Prone to Making Last-Minute Purchases? Check Out the Best Valentine’s Day Delivery Gifts

• SPY.com: From Chocolates to Spa Products, We’ve Got a Valentine’s Day Gift Basket for Everyone

• YourTango: 32 Edible Gifts Women Love Most

• HelloGiggles: 11 Products to Help You Sleep Better and Wake Up Energized

• Clean Plates: 8 Easy Valentine’s Dessert Recipes with Zero Refined Sugar

• RetailMeNot: 13 Purr-fect Valentine’s Day Gifts for Pets

• RetailMeNot: Affordable Valentine’s Day Gifts That Show Lots of Love on a Budget

• Clean Plates: 8 Costco Foods Nutritionists Love for Valentine’s Day

• SPY.com: Our Favorite Funny Valentine’s Day Cards Are Sure to Make Them Giggle (or Blush!) on February 14

• Forbes: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Luxury Seafood Boxes

• Forbes: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Interactive Gifts For Couples Who Love To Cook Together

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.

Today.com

For Today.com, I’m rounding up deals at chains for both National Pizza Day (2/9), and Valentine’s Day. This isn’t simply that you are doing a heart-shaped pizza or a special menu item, but that you are doing some sort of specific deal or discount — think BOGO, freebie, discount code, etc. If you have anything, please email me the name of the chain, where it is located (if it’s not national), what the deal is, and how to claim it.

Forbes

In advance of Mardi Gras, I’m looking for chef tips and product suggestions to make a great homemade authentic gumbo. If you represent a chef known for their gumbo recipe (or is just a bit of a gumbo lover!), or a spice/mix/etc that can be a great asset in making homemade gumbo, please drop me a note!

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 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 (Recently I even joined in on an agency’s team retreat right here in Brooklyn — it was so fun and I made so many new friends!) 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.

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!

<3

Aly