The Appletini That Launched a PR Career - Cascade Communications

Company: Cascade Communications
Owners: Jennifer Fortney
Year Started: 2001
Employees: 1-10 

What do cocktails, James Blunt, and media training have in common?

In this episode of An Agency Story, Jennifer Fortney shares how her background in broadcast journalism, a spontaneous band performance, and a little green cocktail helped launch Cascade Communications. We explore what it takes to build a long-lasting PR agency grounded in storytelling, adaptability, and entrepreneurial grit.

Key Takeaways

• Why credibility and curiosity matter more than credentials in winning big clients
• How the Appletini became a surprising catalyst for a PR wave
• The biggest mindset shift needed to go from agency employee to founder
• A simple method Jennifer used to turn a workshop deck into a published book
• Why personal brand matters and how agency owners often overlook it