Welcome to the Hack Your Own PR with Odette Barry. In this episode we are joined by Justine Cullen, Editor-in-Chief of InStyle Australia. With over 30 years in the magazine industry, Justine has built a stellar career, starting at teen magazines and rising to lead iconic titles like ELLE and InStyle.

In this episode, Justine shares her insider knowledge on:

• The evolving media landscape and the role of magazine covers in driving meaningful conversations.
• How to pitch successfully to  InStyle  and other top publications, including tips on building relationships, embracing affiliate partnerships, and crafting original content that resonates.
• The challenges of covering social issues while maintaining editorial integrity in a fast-changing industry.

Whether you’re a publicist, small business owner jumping into a little DIY PR, or someone eager to elevate your personal brand, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.

Key Takeaways:

1. Relationships are key.  Personal connections and tailored story ideas are far more effective than generic press releases.
2. Affiliate partnerships matter.  Many publications now favour pitches that include an affiliate component.
3. Originality wins.  High-quality, fresh content that aligns with a publication’s mission is essential to stand out.

What to Avoid:

• Generic, impersonal press releases—they’re unlikely to get noticed.
• Overlooking affiliate partnerships when pitching products.
• Submitting repetitive or unoriginal content—fresh insights are a must.

If you’re ready to learn how to pitch like a pro and get published in top-tier publications, tune in to this episode with the incredible Justine Cullen.

Find Odette Barry online:

https://www.odetteandco.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/odetteandco/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/odette-barry/ 

Find Justine online:

https://www.instagram.com/justine_cullen/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-cullen-8444932b/