Tuesday: Don't plan your coronation viewing party without reading my new cocktail roundup first!

Hi, everyone!

I’d say good morning, but it’s afternoon pretty much everywhere at this point.

Sorry about that: Lots going on around here (so much….to be honest) and today sort of got away from me. But on the work front, part of my agenda today takes me completely away from my computer.

I may have mentioned last week while in the midst of all my foraging-in-Ireland content that I had a pretty exciting gig coming up.

I am going to be playing “guest chef” at an event here in NYC in a few weeks, and part of my task for this event is creating and testing some original recipes within the parameters of the event’s intended theme. So, that’s what I’ve been meandering away at this morning…it’s quite a process, but an exciting departure from my usual routine!

I’ve also had a bunch of coronation-related content start to publish this week (so exciting that it’s just over a week away!), so if you are as interested as I am in this truly historical moment, please scroll down and check those pieces out.

(I mean, at the very least you’re going to want to plan your cocktail menu for your own at-home coronation viewing party, right?)

PS: Speaking of the coronation, I wanted to take a moment to thank dear PR friend and longtime subscriber Ann Magnin, who sent this awesome door mat my way this week — a welcome fit royalty, indeed! Was such a lovely gift to come home to after my trip to Dublin (and in advance of my next trip, which is rather royally inspired!)

Quick administrative reminder:

My email address is alywalansky@gmail.com — not alywalansky@substack.com or any other variation. Please be sure to start a new email thread and email my gmail address when emailing me regarding any call for pitches in this newsletter (or for any other reason). Your email is VERY important to me and I want to make sure it reaches its intended destination…me!

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: Planning A Coronation Viewing Party? You'll Need Cocktails Fit For A King

• Forbes.com: Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Mail-Order Dinners

• Forbes.com: Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Pantry Staples For From-Scratch Cooks

• Forbes.com: Fairmont Hotels Has Launched A Tea Blend Perfect For Sipping During Coronation Viewing Parties

• Food Network: Panda Express and Cult-Favorite Fly By Jing Join Forces On New Menu Item

• Clean Plates: 13 Low-Lift, Fast Trader Joe’s Lunches You Need to Buy

• Eat This, Not That: What a Professional Chef Orders at McDonald's

• Eat This, Not That: 7 Fast Food Restaurants That Serve The Best Mac and Cheese

  Forbes.com: Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Grilling Gear

• Taste of Home: Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Is Taking Over the Internet

• RetailMeNot: 10 Gorgeous Pieces of Mother’s Day Jewelry Under $100

  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

Father's Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad: This is an update of last year’s story, and I’m looking for great gifts that are affordable ("affordable" obviously varies by budget, but I’m trying to stay under $200 and have a wide range of prices) for a variety of categories. The categories I’m going for in this guide include: Foodie dad, Techie dad, The dad who has everything, fashionable dad, outdoorsy dad, indoorsy dad, bookworm dad, handy dad, the Dad who's trying to downsize and doesn't want clutter, for the fitness-obsessed dad, so keep this in mind when pitching.

 Cheap Baby Shower Favors (Under $5 per Person): Shower favors aren't a requirement, but if you're hosting a shower and find them fun, or you've been put on favor duty, you are likely on a budget and looking for some inexpensive options. "Cheap" is relative, but I’m trying to stay under $5 per favor. Note: Consider when pitching that these favors do not need to be a single product – can be several items put together. Could be "Bags of Candy" (which requires you to buy some candy and bags) or "Cute Baby Succulents")

Forbes.com

I’m looking for spots (in London and otherwise) that are doing fun coronation watch parties - be it hotels, bars, pubs, etc. If you will be watching Wills pledge his liege to his dad on a big screen while having a specialty cocktail, I want to know all about it!

I’m looking for bars/restaurants that are doing special cocktails for Cinco De Mayo or Mother’s Day. If you are, please tell me what the cocktail is, what’s in it, why it’s great for the occasion, and include a link to an image of the cocktail) - also be sure to tell me where your bar/restaurant is located and its name/URL and give me the name/title of anyone quoted with commentary about the cocktail.

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!

<3