1. YOUR GUIDE TO VALUE LUXURY VACATIONS
2012
Media Kit
CAroundTheWorld.com

2. What is Chris Around the World?
• Chris Around The World is edited by
travel expert Chris Gray Faust,
an award-winning travel journalist
and social media consultant.
• The site includes first-hand reports from unique,
chic and boutique destinations, and offers travel
tips for the sophisticated Value Luxury traveler.
Rule of thumb:
“Is this a vacation worth bragging about at a cocktail party?”
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3. What is Value Luxury?
• Value Luxury is….splurging on what’s
important to you - and saving on what’s not.
• Value Luxury is….feeling that your
vacation is special, without feeling ripped off.
• Value Luxury is….a holiday that’s so
awesome, you can’t wait to share it with
friends and family.
Value Luxury is….how smart people travel.
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4. What We Cover
• Luxury and boutique
accommodations, including
home and apartment rentals.
• Cruising, particularly on
smaller ships, and shore
excursions.
• Spas and wellness facilities.
• Soft adventure (hiking,
kayaking, snorkeling)
• Restaurants and “foodie” travel
experiences.
• Wine-centric vacations.
• Getaways with girlfriends and
family members, as well as solo
experiences.
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5. Reach
• Chris Around The World enjoys both mainstream media exposure and a large
social media platform. The blog won a Lowell Thomas travel writing award
in 2010.
• Chris Around The World is syndicated through the USA TODAY Travel Alliance
and all blog posts appear on the USA TODAY Travel website
(Sample of Chris Around The World placement on USA TODAY).
• Chris Gray Faust has over 10,400 followers on Twitter and was named a Top
Travel Twitter Personality for 2012 by Christopher Elliott.
• An “influencer of influencers,” Chris Gray Faust has more than 2,100
Facebook fans and friends, many in the travel industry.
• Focusing on Value Luxury, the Chris Around The World monthly newsletter
grows consistently each month.
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6. By the Numbers
• Monthly Unique Visitors: 23,000*
• Monthly Pageviews: 38,000*
• Google PageRank: 4
• Alexa score: 50,900
• Twitter: 10,400 followers
• Facebook: 2,200 fans and friends
• Audience tends to be childless, college educated men and
women in their 30s through 50s.**
* Google Analytics, as of April. 2012
** Alexa demographics
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7. Chris at a Glance
• Chris Gray Faust is an experienced • A member of the Society of
content provider, with 20 years of American Travel Writers, Chris Gray
journalism experience as a staff Faust has years of working and
writer and editor at USA TODAY, the building relationships with PR
Philadelphia Inquirer and the New professionals. She understands
Orleans Times-Picayune. She’s how the travel industry works and
author of the Philadelphia Essential what brands need to stand out and
Travel Guide, an iPhone/iPad app succeed in the media marketplace.
released through Sutro Media.
• Chris Gray Faust also has real • Chris Gray Faust is an active
experience in corporate freelance writer. Regular and
copywriting and social media, recent outlets include Frommers.com,
serving as a staff content writer at IndependentTraveler.com,
Microsoft. Consulting clients include CruiseCritic.com, The San Francisco
Stash Hotel Rewards. Chronicle and the Huffington Post.
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8. Press/Media
Written for… Quoted In…
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9. Editorial Policies
Chris Gray Faust follows strict editorial policies to ensure that her writing
and reporting is ethical and within current travel industry practices:
• “I follow the ethical guidelines of whatever publication is
purchasing my work.
• I disclose when outside entities pay for travel, either in the
body of the text or at the end of an article. Sponsored posts
will be marked as such, and consulting relationships with clients will
not dictate editorial.
• I accept press trips, travel gear and freebies only when they
coincide with the site’s editorial goals. I’m particularly
experienced in trips with a strong social media component. For help
on setting up such a campaign, contact me.
• I strive to keep my voice strong and my opinions honest –
so readers can continue to trust my writing.”
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10. Hire Chris: Advertising
Opportunity Management
Banner & Sidebar Ads All banner and sidebar advertising is
administered through the USA TODAY Travel
Alliance. Contact them for more information.
Newsletter Sponsorship/Advertising A monthly newsletter featuring Value Luxury
travel tips.
Sponsored content All sponsored posts are labeled as such (sample).
They are written by Chris Gray Faust to
maintain the editorial standards of the site.
Giveaways Giveaways are great opportunities to create
excitement for your product.
Sponsorship/spokesperson Chris Gray Faust is open to sponsorship or
spokesperson opportunities with the
understanding that it extends only to her own
website and not her position with outside
publications.
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11. Hire Chris: Writing/Consulting
Service Solution
Freelance writing Chris Gray Faust is an active freelance writer
specializing in travel, tech, lifestyle and news.
Contact her for assignments. Clips.
Freelance editing Want help whipping a piece into shape before
submission? Chris Gray Faust is an editor for
hire, with a delicate hand, a sharp eye and the
years of experience to make your work shine.
Corporate Copywriting With an extensive background in consumer
writing, Chris Gray Faust specializes in
business-to-consumer communications. Need
quick turnaround? No problem.
Social Media Consulting Flummoxed by Facebook? Tempted by Twitter?
Chris Gray Faust works with the Value Luxury
Network to develop destination marketing
campaigns that work.
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12. Hire Chris: Speaking
Chris Gray Faust is available
for speaking engagements
and travel shows.
Topics include:
• Technology Tips for Travel
• Staying Safe and Healthy
on the Road
• Packing Tips from a Pro
• Social Media for Travel 101
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13. Testimonials
"This blog shows how a journalist can build a brand around herself or himself with quality
content, well organized and connected to the audience."
-University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and
Mass Communication, 2010 Lowell Thomas Awards
“I’ve worked with Chris at two newspapers. She’s a pro – a deft editor and talented writer who
thinks big and makes things happen.”
– Eugene Kiely, Executive Editor, Factcheck.org
“I’m so glad to find this blog. Reading all the posts here helps me decide whether to go there
{Israel} early while we’re still young and able to walk a lot and explore the country.”
-Reader comment
“I will be traveling with my cat for the first time next week. I have done a lot of research
already but I feel more confident about the journey after reading this. Thanks for the great
tips!”
- Reader comment
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14. Contact
• chris@caroundtheworld.com
(Chris Gray Faust is frequently on the road; email contact is preferred)
• Mailing address: Chris Gray Faust,
4560 53rd Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
• Skype: CAroundTheWorld
• Phone: 215-681-9181
• Twitter: @CAroundTheWorld
• Facebook: Chris Around The World
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