Your July Gift Guide PR Plan: Win Holiday Coverage with Integrated Communications

Holiday pitching starts now.
Print and digital editors are assigning December issues in July. Don’t miss the window. Your media plan should already be in motion.

Just as much of the country is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave, it’s time to talk about the holiday season. Hopefully the thought of it helps cool you down if the AC isn’t doing the trick. Like all successful comms programs, the best are those you plan for — and plan early. We may only be halfway through the year, but consumer media likely already have end-of-year gift guides and “best of” lists on the brain.

While most people are focusing on beach days and summer Fridays, savvy marketers know July is the prime time to kick off holiday season outreach. With newsrooms shrinking and editorial calendars already filling up for November and December issues, brands that act now have a real shot at landing coveted gift guide placements. Whether you’re promoting a new product, a thoughtful gift idea, or a seasonal promo, getting ahead in July is the secret to making your holiday marketing efforts pay off come Q4.

Three ways to get ahead

Lock in your holiday angle

Are you planning to release a new product? Offering a holiday promotion or deal? Planning to reveal new packaging? Whatever you’re offering for the holiday season, figure it out now. Print editors are working four to six months ahead, so they’re actively assigning December issues.

Pro tip: Frame your product as a solution — not just a gift, but the right gift for a specific person or situation.

Have your assets ready

Most editors will require high-resolution imagery — whether lifestyle shots or clean product photography — so be sure you have strong visuals to make your product shine on the page. You’ll also want to have a fact sheet with all the details handy, including pricing, availability, where to purchase, and SKU numbers. Bonus points if you have specs ready, too.

Prep your products

Be ready with samples and fact sheets, and make sure you have enough for top editors. More often than not, they will want to review your product before writing about it. Make sure you’re logistically set up to ship now — or during the busy holiday season when fulfillment becomes more complex.

Pro tip: A personal touch goes a long way, so find ways to make the editor’s unboxing experience feel special and unique to them.

Once you’ve locked in the strategy, it’s your comms agency’s job to prep the pitch and target the right editors. Take advantage of the media relationships they’ve built — just like we have in past holiday gift guide seasons — to ensure your product gets the attention it deserves before reporters’ inboxes become too full to keep up with.

The holiday season might feel far away, but when it comes to media coverage, the clock is always ticking. By solidifying your holiday angle, preparing polished assets, and pitching to editors now, you position your brand to be top of mind when gift guide decisions are made. A proactive approach in July not only increases your chances of being featured — it also sets the tone for a successful, low-stress holiday marketing season. For consumer tech brands, this moment is about more than just pitching — it’s about aligning your holiday efforts with your broader integrated communications strategy. Consistency across messaging, media, and channels starts here. So pour that iced coffee, pull up your media list, and start pitching.

🧠 Holiday PR FAQs for Consumer Tech Brands

When should consumer tech brands start holiday PR outreach?
July is the sweet spot. Print and digital media teams work four to six months ahead, so outreach now gives you the best chance to land in November and December issues.

What assets do editors typically need?
High-resolution product and lifestyle images, a detailed fact sheet with pricing, specs, purchase info, and, ideally, samples for hands-on review.

How does integrated communications support holiday PR?
It ensures your earned media outreach aligns with your paid and owned efforts. By starting early and thinking holistically, you strengthen your brand message across all touchpoints, and not just in press but across your entire Q4 strategy.

Need help navigating this timeline? Let SourceCode guide your holiday PR strategy.