Who we’re reading on Substack
The journalism landscape is experiencing some big shifts and we are prepared to change with the tides.
2024 has kicked off with a lot of layoffs and shuttering publications and while this can appear disheartening, we are seeing a new age of independent journalism come along through platforms such as Substack. We’ve rounded up the newsletters that our team is keeping an eye on as these journalists determine stories and topics that are led by their expertise and interests.
Culture Study by Ann Hellen Petersen
No cultural phenomenon gets past Petersen. From Bama Rush to Taylor Swift to the way friendships are shifting around the world - Ann entertains the most trending topics with an academic, critical, and seemingly outsider perspective. Whether intentional or not, Petersen has found her lens on the topic of girlhood and thus womanhood in the digital age.
Why we love it:
Culture Study is a comprehensive and somewhat academic approach to reviewing trends making it incredibly helpful to identify where our clients do and don’t fit into the current cultural landscape. It’s insightfully written and even in critique avoids mean-girl energy so as to allow her readers to draw their own conclusions and opinions on the matter.
ALEC LEACH by Alec Leach
Sustainable fashion is a tough topic as consumers increase their demands for a better future by way of ethical and ecologically sound business practices. Leach doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Fashion is in a pretty shitty place atm.” as his about page states but he also takes the high road with nuanced takes to account for external factors that are out of consumer control. Instead of sitting in the doom, Alec has taken on conversations from greenwashing to fashion week as they pertain to the value and longevity of fashion.
Why we love it:
We love accountability and within that comes tough conversations from knowledgeable sources. Guiding our clients through transparency and changes in standard expectations is best informed by noting the greater conversations.
Honing Her Craft by Amelia Arvesen
The JAM team has had the pleasure of working with Arvesen on some key articles, namely our Field Mag feature for Glerups in 2023 which you can read about her own reflection on the project here. Honing Her Craft is a celebration of Amelia’s many talents and interests, particularly sustainable fashion, DIY projects, textiles, design, and many more. Reading this newsletter feels like an opportunity to slow down in a chaotic media landscape.
Why we love it:
Amelia is incredibly intentional about her own life and thus her words. This Substack gives us pause and centering in considering where our clients fit into media inboxes as much as where we fit ourselves into the world.
TOGS by Hadley Hammer and Kellyn Wilson
Mountain fashion has developed so many flavors over the years and our inspiration boards now span from New York high fashion to eclectic collections of both thrift and new items. There is space for everyone and every brand to embody their style if you just curate and own it. Or at least, that’s what our takeaway has been since the recent start of TOGS which challenges the traditional use, wear, and belonging of the items in your closet.
Why we love it:
We can dream up how our clients may fit into this open-ended expression of mountain style. Our pitch angles are inspired by challenging our own expectations for gear and we can empower the media, our brands, and audiences to be more playful than trends make room for.
What Editors Want by James Durston
We’ve been working in public relations for over 20 years which means we’ve seen a lot of changes in the media industry. Durston offers calls for pitches. This not only helps us identify who is seeking stories that our clients fit into but also offers a broad brushstroke in gauging what stories are desirable.
Why we love it:
As more of a database, it saves us some of the tedious tasks of tracking individual editors' calls for pitches. It helps us to identify stories where our clients may fit in.
From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy
Now this one is just for feeling good – mostly. Kennedy writes mostly on food culture, media, and politics. She’s well-respected among her peers and rightfully so. Though if we’re being honest, we’re here for the recipes.
Why we love it:
We recommend indulging in all of her articles but if you subscribe, you’ll have access to some of the most indulgent pastries, cocktails, and delicacies.
We’d love to know who you’re reading from on Substack or if you have one of your own. Send along any recommendations to tori@jamcollective.net.