Thursday: Cosmo riffs in time for your 'And Just Like That...' viewing party, a job lead, and newly published content!
Happy Thursday!
It’s a big TV night tonight, as both The Bear and And Just Like That… have returned!
I know many of us have viewing parties planned for at least one of these series (if not both!), so for Forbes, I wrote a roundup of fun variations on the Cosmopolitan any SATC fan is sure to appreciate.
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Speaking of cocktails, I have a new cocktail ice cube TikTok — I created Negroni-inspired ice cubes and I’ve been using them this week in everything from Negronis (obvi!) to fun summer spritzes.
Perhaps my next move is to compare these two activities and make Cosmopolitan ice cubes…stay tuned for this weekend!
In other newly published stories since yesterday: For Southern Living, I did a deep dive into the English cucumber. It’s a lot more versatile than you may imagine!
Do you have something you want to chat about?
I’ve enabled the chat thread in the Substack app so that subscribers of this newsletter can start their own threads — I hope for you to use this chat is a place to hang out and connect with each other.
As I said in yesterday’s email, it’s really important to me to make this more than a newsletter where I just share insights and what I’m working on, but also that I build a community. So if there’s a topic of interest to you, whether it’s industry related or otherwise, feel free to start a chat thread and we’ll talk about it!
Job Lead
A close friend is looking to hire for a full-time role in LA - she’s looking for someone super strong at video and TikTok. This role will be full time, mid to senior level social media, to work on some major hotel accounts. If you think you may be a fit, email hannah@brndhouse.com — tell her Aly sent you! <3
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 the Italian Wine Podcast this week, 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: 20 Perfect Cocktails To Enjoy This Independence Day
Southern Living: What Is An English Cucumber?
RetailMeNot: Here Are the Best Fourth of July Sales of 2023
RetailMeNot: Stores Open Fourth of July + Fourth of July Store Hours
Pawp.com: Is Your Dog Afraid Of Fireworks? 8 Tips To Calm Your Anxious Dog
Parade.com: Caterers Say These Are the 8 Craziest Wedding Food Trends They’re Seeing This Summer—Are They on Your List?
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.com
As mentioned earlier, The Bear is back! Is it even possible to think of this show and not picture a glorious Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwich? Obviously not.
For Forbes, I want to roundup some great incarnations of the Italian Beef Sandwich found at bars/restaurants nationwide - they must stay true to the original while also adding some sort of special touch. If you have something, please send me: Name of dish, description, and a quote about it, as well as an image.
I’d also love chefs to comment on what makes a great Italian beef sandwich - procedure, tips, etc. Would love responses for this one by EOD Friday (yes, that’s tomorrow!).
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!
I definitely recommend trying an Limoncello Spritz if you haven't before! I had them in Positano last year and they are a dream :)