Thursday: Cheerio, I have to go practice my curtsy.
Good morning!
Today’s email is a bit late in a day because I had a lot going on this morning. But more on that soon!
I’m excited to share with all my friends in London — and anyone else who wants to SQUEE along with me - that’ll be making my grand return across the pond for the festivities surrounding the coronation of King Charles III!
(I mean…I had to go. I still have my hat from the Kentucky Derby!)
Also I must remind you that this moment in our live was written in the stars…
I’ll share more soon — but clearly, I had to share this news with the world immediately just in case H&M want to pop in for a spot of tea while we’re all in town.
(J/K)
BTW: That’s one of three exciting spring international travel updates I have — but absolutely the most tiara-worthy!
Last night was a doubleheader event night, starting with a wine tasting of a really cool natural wine that I’m really into and followed by dinner with Cumin Club, a brand I’m excited about - they are these genius freeze-dried Indian meal kits, where all you have to do is add water and simmer and you have this incredible vegetarian meal in minutes. I’ve been enjoying them a lot for a fast and low-lift dinner after flights or events when I’m hungry and don’t want to spend money on takeout — or have the energy to first start cooking - and I’m obsessed. It was so great to get to know the team (and the food at the dinner was UNREAL.)
Something else I wanted to share (that’s also chef and travel related!), is my interview with David Burke about his super sweet new New Jersey restaurant.
Also published since yesterday:
One of my good friends is in NY for roughly two days and is coming into Brooklyn for dinner tonight - so I’m extra excited about that. (Today is all in all a really good day!)
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!
In case you missed it, I was recently a guest on a podcast. Check it out here — I share some easy-to-follow tips on how emerging brands can get the attention of busy editors.
Speaking of podcasts, I was a guest on the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast last month (I ADORE Lexie Smith!), and you can still catch it here. We chatted at length about pitching, the ever-changing landscape of the editorial process, and more.
(Also, if you host a podcast that has anything to do with media/PR/writer content or food/bev/travel content and are interested in me coming on as a guest, I’d love if you reach out!)
Forbes.com: Orchard Park By David Burke Offers High-End Fare In The Most Unassuming Of Locations
Food Network: You Can Get a Free Cone at Dairy Queen on March 20
Forbes.com: Delta Air Lines Has Finally Brought Back Kids Meals
Clean Plates: 20 Quick and Healthy Air Fryer Snacks You Can Make in a Snap
Mashed.com: Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Cinnamon Rolls
Mashed.com: Mistakes You're Making With Homemade Icing
Taste of Home: Lay’s Cheesy Garlic Bread Chips Will Be Back for 2023
The Kitchn: This Copycat Recipe for Birthday Cake Truffles Is One of the Best You’ll Find
Pawp.com: What Can I Give My Cat For Pain? Signs Your Cat's In Pain & How To Help
Food Network: What Does Chipotle’s New Chicken al Pastor Taste Like?
Food Network: Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed Doughnuts Go Bright Green for St. Patrick’s Day
Taste of Home: What Is “Hero Meal Prep”?
Clean Plates: We Found the Healthiest and Best-Tasting Organic Peanut Butters
Forbes.com: Cocktails Perfect For Sipping On St. Patrick’s Day
Forbes.com: Have A Sweet Saint Patrick’s Day With These Festive Desserts
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.
RetailMeNot
Mother’s Day Jewelry Under $100: This is an update of the story I wrote last year. In your pitch, please include a product description, stones used, etc, as well as the general aesthetic of the piece, as well as retailer and price. I’m totally fine with including some small businesses and lesser-known brands because I want to include cool and unique things that will make great gifts — but obviously also would love pitches from items available on Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Macy's, Kays, and similar.
The Best Easter Sales for 2023: I’m updating this article from last year. For this story, I’m trying to focus on last-minute sales, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be pegged to Easter, as there’ll also be a ton of spring sales going on, too. So, really anything that helps you get Easter Basket stuffers, clothes, table decor, spring decor or whatever else for Easter is fair game. Trying to include some major retailers in this, such as Target, CVS, Walmart, Michaels, Macy's.
Stores Closed on Easter Sunday (+ Easter Store Hours for 2023): You may recall this is a giant guide I do for RMN every major holiday, and Easter is getting the treatment again this year. I’ll be updating this story from last year — so if I included you in last year’s story and you have updated info for me, or want to tell me the info is not updated and is the same, please email me. I’m looking to mostly keep the same format, and simply adjust for 2023.
Runner's World
I’m working on another story for Runner’s World! This one is focused on smoothies for cyclists -- I’m looking to interview two RDs who can chat about what ingredients are good for smoothies and why, and I’d love if they can break down and share some recipe. They don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Please when sharing these ingredients/recipes, explain if they are good for pre-race fueling or post-race recovery.
TODAY.com
I’m beginning to round up Cinco de Mayo food deals at chain restaurants. I’m not looking for free delivery or reward point type of deals at this time but more BOGOs, freebies, discounts, etc. Please be sure to tell me how to claim the deal (i.e. coupon code, downloading app, etc) when responding.
Forbes.com
I’ll be working on a story on great wines, snacks, and products to buy for Passover 2023. It is IMPERATIVE for this story that everything I include be certified as kosher for Passover (not just kosher - it’s a distinct certification). Please be sure to confirm before pitching.
I’m also looking for Passover-inspired cocktails you can find at bars and restaurants. This one is trickier because I realize for this one a lot of submissions will probably come from places not kosher for Passover or even kosher — that’s fine for this story (but not the other one). This one, I need name of drink, where served, a description, a quote about it, (how is it inspired by Passover?), and an image of the cocktail.
Also for Forbes, I’m looking for Easter-inspired cocktails found at bars and restaurants (same parameters as above, please!).
Finally, I’m rounding up creative Easter baskets brands are doing (must be food or spirits related) — are you a bakery that is doing a basket of fun cookies and pastries that is shippable, in honor of Easter? Or a chocolate shop doing the same with a basket of fun confections? Please let me know!
Looking forward, I am looking for bars/restaurants around the world that have created specialty cocktails in honor of the coronation of King Charles III this May. I’ll need the usual — where it is, what’s in it, why it’s a perfect cocktail for the occasion, a quote from a bartender/owner/chef, and a high res image. I’m really excited about this one, so lets try to find some great cocktails!
Looking to up your affiliate marketing game?
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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!
<3
aly
Wow!! Have an amazing trip, Aly!
So exciting! Can't wait for all the Coronation BTS content!! Safe travels, Aly!