Who We Are
Jennifer Fortney, President
Jennifer Fortney started Cascade Communications in 2001 after a strong desire to combine her
passions and diverse marketing background into a career.
Jennifer has successfully created, implemented and managed PR and marketing programs for some of America's top
Fortune 500 companies and a variety of small businesses across the country. She has worked in arts, sports
radio and television as a journalist and PR and marketing professional, and has experience launching national PR
campaigns in hi tech, Internet, consumer lifestyle services and products (fashio, jewlery, food/beverage, toys,
music/film, green/organic) with special events and event media management totaling over 15 years. Her company
focuses on nonprofits, small businesses, crisis communications, social media, PR and marketing consulting.
She is one of few individuals to receive a personal bonus from a major corporate client for her work in
single handedly manageing a nearly $1 million campaign.
During her career, Jennifer has built a strong reputation with journalists for developing good, strong news
stories and her ability to cater to their needs to make a story happen. Her sharp nose for news has made her an asset
to larger PR firms. Jennifer has consulted on story development and media relations for Dome/Hill & Knowlton, Edelman
Worldwide, BSMG/Weber Shandwick, Leo Burnett, Corporate Technology Communications, CKPR and the Reilly Group. Clients
include: The US Army, Maytag, Harley Davidson, Motorola, The Hershey Company, Angel Soft - Angels in Action Awards,
and SC Johnson.
Jennifer has recieved placements for clients in WomenEntrepreneur.com, Associated Press, UPI, Wall Street Journal, The
New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Shape, American Spa, Today's Chicago Women,
Chicago, Chicago Social, Boston Globe, Bon Appetit, Fast Company, Esquire, WGN-TV Superstation, the "Today" Show, CNN,
CBS Network, Food Network, DailyCandy.com, MarketWatch, MotleyFool.com, Digitalcity.com, Metromix.com and ABC.com amongst
hundreds of radio, TV, pring and online hits across the country.
Before starting her own boutique firm, Jennifer was with BSMG Worldwide, now Weber Shandwick, and
Knowll Communications. A native of Kansas, she held the post of Director of Promotions and Marketing at KTPK-FM.
Jennifer also has worked with the Kansas City Royals Baseball Company, KNSS-AM, and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
Jennifer has a Bachelor's of Science in Journalism, Business Communications form the William Allen White School of
Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. She also holds a minor in Music - Vocal Performance.
She served on the Board of Directors for Lakeview Chamber of Commerce for three years and is now Vice-President of
the board of the Counseling Center of Lake View, a member of IShouldBeInTheNews.com board of directors, and PR chair
for the American Diabetes Association's annual Care-to-Cure Brunch benefit with Chicago Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith.
Cascade Communications Chicago, IL 773/529-7547, Email Us