jfortney's Profile

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jfortney
Cascade Communications

Business Web Site:

www.cascadecomms.com
 

Line of Business:

Advertising or PR
 

Location:

Chicago, IL, USA 60614
 
 

Business Description:

Boutique lifestyle consumer PR and marketing consulting firm located in Chicago and servicing small businesses, startups, women-owned businesses and not-for-profits across the country. We are one of few agencies offering afforable services to true entrepreneurs and small businesses owners.
 

About Your Business:

What Inspired Your Business: I started off as a music performance major and spent most of my life telling stories through music, dance and theater. Fate had it that I ended up in the Journalism school instead, graduating with a degree in Business Communications (aka PR) with an emphasis in integrated marketing. The story telling continued as a newswriter, Director of Promotions and Marketing and eventually in a corporate PR firm. I started Cascade Communications in 2001 to offer affordable services and to tell the stories of small businesses and startups that no one else was telling.
 
Most Unusual Client, or Client Story: There isn't enough room for the unusual stories. You'll have to ask. And there definitely isn't enough room for all the positive and wonderful people, companies and stories.
 
Recent Business Surprise: That few agencies want to focus on true small businesses as they are probably seen as not as profitable. My focus is as a journalist and to tell these stories and I know that helping my clients succeed and grow, will help me make my own dreams come true. I also really see the importance of small agencies working together to bring the most to a client's business, especially if in different regions of the country and expertise.
 

Fun Facts:

Top Selling Product/Service: Public relations
 
Best Place to Get Work Done: Home office, although I do my best writing on the porch of my family house in Jackson Hole, Wy
 
Coolest Personal Item on Your Desk: My Page Up - I love how I don't have to rearrange my desk to type information but prop it up instead.
 
Where You Plan to Retire: Good question. I should think about and work towards it.
 
Best Networking Tool: Me - In true journalist style, I thoroughly enjoy meeting people and learning all about them
 

My Most Interesting/Challenging Business Problem:

Other Problem

Business Challenge:

Debating potential growth but retaining my small business attitude; finding the right partner to join me.
 

Solution:

I'm still working through it and will let you know what I learn.
 

Expertise in:

Business Planning, Naming / Branding, Marketing and Getting New Customers, Business Structure, PR, general marketing consulting (sales promotions, general promotions, branding, positioning, media, targeting, advertising, using the web, and more) and small business growth and management
 

Interested in:

jfortney's Most Recent Forum Posts

Advertising, PR & Word of Mouth - Discuss effective (and low cost) ways to reach new customers.
Public Relations Software
Most places that are going to offer media contacts are going to be pricey....they have very valuable ...
11.25.2007, 1:05pm
 
Advertising, PR & Word of Mouth - Discuss effective (and low cost) ways to reach new customers.
Challenges in Getting PR for Your Business
Great! There are a variety of services available online to improve the potential results of your ...
11.19.2007, 1:07pm
 
Advertising, PR & Word of Mouth - Discuss effective (and low cost) ways to reach new customers.
Public Relations Software
As far as I know there is no specific software for public relations. The reason is because software ...
11.19.2007, 1:05pm
 
Advertising, PR & Word of Mouth - Discuss effective (and low cost) ways to reach new customers.
 
 
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