Hello there.
Travel, outdoor and bridal themes are waiting for your pitches in requests.
THIS WEEK:
No calls scheduled for this week.
You can catch the replay of our PR Drop in session here where we answered your questions on proactive pitching, gift guide pitching before product launch, tips for pitching a big product range, social media red and green flags and more.
COMING UP:
Want to land a spot in Stylist’s Christmas gift guide? On 24th June, we’re hosting a members-only call with Stylist Deputy Editor Tom Gormer – the editor behind their coveted Christmas gift guides.
This is your chance to hear exactly what makes an editor say yes. Call details to follow.
Rosie & team PR Dispatch
Current Newsjacking Topics
Why are we going nuts for pistachios?→
Dadcore is the new cottagecore. Here’s how to wear it →
The world’s first industrial-scale plant for recycling polycotton - a feat that had been considered impossible →
Jump on these topics quickly to align your brand with trending conversations. Find out more.
In an Hour This Week
Read a trend report or industry article
Dive into a trend piece or industry update. Spot themes, angles or hooks that relate to your product and stash those ideas for your next pitch. Journalists love a timely tie-in, and this can be a goldmine for inspiration. Pinterest predicts and Etsy trends are great places for inspiration.
Christmas gift guide guide checklist & hooks
Editors start making their picks as early as July, and the brands that plan ahead are the ones who
maximise every festive PR opportunity. This checklist gives you everything you need to get prepped,
from assets and timing to punchy hook prompts that help your pitch standout.
What to Do This Week
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90% of your PR efforts should be proactive.
WHAT:
Pitch to 5+ ‘Proactive Opportunities.’ Across product placement or profile press.
Follow up on last week’s pitches.
Why? Journalists often check their inboxes first when looking for products or businesses to feature.
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Core requests
Press requests offer great opportunities, though journalists often check their inboxes first, so proactive outreach is key. Around 10% of PR involves responding to these fast-turnaround requests.
Gift guide requests
Christmas gift guides ramp up from July to December. Dedicate extra time to these during the festive season.
.WHAT:
Check both core and gift guide ‘Request’ pages.
Only respond to relevant requests to ensure you are building positive press relationships.
Why? You’ll instantly increase chances of being featured because the press are actively looking for that certain product, comment, experience or opinion.
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The press often features brands without replying, so track potential coverage and quickly share mentions across your channels to maximize impact.
What the Press Are Working on in May
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Recently Updated
Current Request Opportunities
Current Gift Guide
Requests
Academy+ May Highlights
Imagery & assets
Strong assets are the building blocks of impactful PR. With long leads now looking as far ahead as October for feature content it's time to think about your seasonal imagery and how you can stand out.
Pitch templates
Turn trending topics into your chance to stand out. We've seen lots of members newsjacking this month - get the lowdown on what it is and how to make it part of your PR strategy.
Outreach via other channels
Today, effective outreach is smart, targeted and building real relationships that get results. One effective method is via X (formerly Twitter), where journalists often use the hashtag #journorequest to quickly find the stories and suggestions they need.
What We’re Reading & Listening To
How positive platforms impact performance
Turns out positivity is good business. Research shows that ads on positive platforms like Pinterest drive stronger brand impact, better results and bigger spending power. When people feel good, they’re more open to discovering (and buying) what you’re selling.
The challenger thinking that stirred up the tea market
Yorkshire Tea didn’t just win over tea drinkers – they flipped the whole category on its head. By thinking like a challenger brand (even as a market leader), they mixed humour, heart and unapologetically bold marketing to brew up serious loyalty and standout success.
The state of consumer-brand engagement on social media in 2025
New research shows trust, engagement, and authenticity drive loyalty and sales. Consumers want brands to show up, offer real value and make social feel like a VIP experience. Deals, user content and quick responses matter more than flashy ads.
