Debbi Kickham
As seen in:
UOL,
Forbes,
Aol,
Los Angeles Times,
Boston.com,
Flipboard,
The Boston Globe,
The Mercury News,
Miami Herald,
The Orange County Register
and
Covers:
Luxury travel, budget travel, spas, beauty, style, fitness, diet, wellness, cruises, honeymoons, romantic travel, fashion
Doesn't Cover:
Technology
Debbi K. Kickham is former Editor of ROBB REPORT MAGAZINE and a luxury travel expert covering first-class hotels, resorts, airlines, spas, beauty, and wellness
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
An editor and writer at an entertainment and the arts newspaper in New Haven, CT. I did lots of movie reviews.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Oh yes -- I was the very best student in my class in high school, where I learned typing skills. I then became a crackerjack secretary!
How is social media changing news?
There's no such things as a weekly newsmagazine such as TIME. News now is instant.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means being able to have amazing experiences and to wriite about them. That's why I'm a travel and beauty writer.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Through email or a really friendly phone call.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
MIcrosoft Word and a smartphone.
What's your favorite social network?
I love Facebook -- I am on it constantly, and sharing articles and opinions with other friends. It's typically how I find out the news!
Who do you wish followed you?
Steve Kaufer of Trip Advisor! And any of the sharks on Shark Tank.
Why did you become a journalist?
I love to have experiences -- and to be paid for them. I LOVE writing about beauty, travel, hotels, romance and spas!
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Of course I wrote for the school newspaper! I wrote human-interest stories and also did movie reviews.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My bestselling book, The Globetrotter's Get-Gorgeous Guide, which hit Number One on Amazon.com in the "Honeymoon Travel Guide" category.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write, write, write as much as you can, even if you take non-paying jobs at first. It's important to be published, and to have a blog!
When's the best time to pitch you?
Late afternoon -- I'm a night owl too.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Once, Lou Hammond herself -- a dynamite PR pro -- called me personally when I was an Editor at Robb Report and she pitched me a new perfume.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
On a press trip, a PR person took me to a place that was going to be built bout three years down the road -- not even a hardhat tour!
What's your favorite drink?
I don't drink alcohol. I love a good mocktail, like a ginger beer!
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
t the gym. I work out one hour daily so I can stay a size four.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I love any travel magazine, and I adore ALLURE magazine.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.