About us
Since 2001, Cascade is a recognized boutique story agency telling the stories of startups to small enterprises in the U.S. and around the world. Our 360 story-first PR model and thoughtful strategies are innovating the industry, delivering the metrics that matter most.
Today, we are an acclaimed virtual PR & Digital story agency with the know-how to attract customers, media, partners and more. And, we not only understand but we are experts in the secret sauce to succeeding in a digital world.
We know how and where to tell your story where it matters most.
Cascade takes into account all of your needs and builds a customized approach to making all of our clients successful. Whether you have an established business launching or breathing life into a new product, or you're preparing to launch or grow a startup, our team becomes part of yours as a long-term marketing partner and trusted advisor.
We pride ourselves on being ethical journalists and PR/marketing professionals with a commitment to our clients. Just ask our clients!
Our Vision
We innovate PR and digital marketing to introduce the world to innovative, fearless startups, small businesses and small enterprises making an impact.
Our Mission
Is to help startups, small business and small enterprises worldwide compete and grow through innovative PR, content and experiential digital marketing and campaigns that increase online invisibility and search discovery for long term growth.
Our Values
We value and celebrate partnerships, innovation, initiative, collaboration, respect and service in everything we do.
We value education and always learning to stay atop of industry trends that affect client success.
We value the commitments made to our clients to perform and consult ethically and morally daily.
Powered by Experience
As a virtual agency, we staff our accounts with veteran communications and marketing pros who really know their stuff.
Today's technology allows Cascade to offer our larger project clients a veteran team, not interns, on their account. Our awesome team affordably works to grow your business by generating positive media attention, brand strategy, responsive videos and graphics, and engaging digital marketing.
And we've built street cred honing our skills with large consumer and tech brands at big global PR and design agencies.
Our team members are handpicked for their expertise and common ethical approach to offering only the best services - media relations, graphic design, video , digital ads, and big scope brand projects with one of the top brand firms in the country.
No other agency offers what Cascade Communications does for clients. We've got a deep bench, are truly unique and leading the way in our industry.
Our Founder
Consistently named one of the Top 25 PR agencies in Chicago, one of the Top 10 PR Firms for Startups in the world and one of the Most Influential Startup PR Professionals in the World 2023, Jennifer Fortney is Founder & President of Cascade Communications, a boutique, Integrated PR & Digital Story Agency, and author of “Pitched: A Simple DIY Guide to Public Relations for Small Businesses”.
In her 25+ year career in PR and marketing communications, Jennifer has worked with Fortune 1000 companies consulting on, creating, executing and managing campaigns for companies like Jim Beam Brands, Hammacher Schlemmer, Harley Davidson, SC Johnson, Got Milk?, Kraft, Sprint and SMART Technologies along with a variety of small businesses/enterprises and startups across the country and globally, generating billions of media impressions that convert.
Today, Cascade Communications is an Integrated PR & Story Agency creating client strategies built for credibility, search and discovery.
Jennifer's expertise is in lifestyle consumer products & services, tech, B2B, food & beverage, restaurant, arts & entertainment, local travel & tourism, eco-friendly & sustainability, nonprofit, social impact, special events/trade shows and more.
A Journalism – Business Communications major from The University of Kansas, she worked in broadcast marketing and as a news writer, sports and in corporate PR agencies. She is a speaker, guest lecturer, expert contributor and guest for several business and media outlets. Jennifer was the PR instructor at SCORE Chicago for five years and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program.
She has sat on the board of several Chicago nonprofits and served as President of the Board for two social service agencies for mental health, homelessness and an advocate for an advocate for affordable housing in Chicago.
Allison Traynham
Brand & Website Designer
With over 18 years of professional design experience, Allison is a highly skilled and thoughtful creative leader. She has collaborated with some of the world's biggest brands in the Beverage Alcohol, Manufacturing, Telecommunication, and Financial Services industries. Her exceptional blend of creativity and technical expertise enables her to produce eye-catching, impactful creative executions and user experiences that resonate with audiences and deliver results for clients.
Allison dedicated the early years of her career to designing custom, locally optimized print materials for the wine and spirits industry. She later expanded her expertise by pursuing additional training and certifications in digital marketing, UX design, data analytics, and web development. In 2020, she founded Reverberate Creative, a boutique creative agency in Chicago, partnering with small businesses and independent contractors to provide branding, web design, and digital marketing support.
Allison earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Design from the University of Notre Dame. Her associates hold her in high regard for her unwavering commitment to quality, attention to detail, adaptability, and enthusiasm for innovation and problem-solving.