Cascade Communications

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Creator/ CEO of Kara Mac Shoes

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Kara Mac Shoes is the world's first, instantly convertible shoe from heel to toe.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Cascade Communications to accomplish?

• Website Overhaul
• SEO
• Magazine/Digital Placement
• Marketing Strategies

SOLUTION

How did you find Cascade Communications?

Through a Women's Professional NetworkingWebinar

Why did you select Cascade Communications over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Cascade Communications were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

I met Jennifer Fortney from a professional women’s group. She viewed my website during the meeting and was very complimentary about my product and responsive to my request to get more exposure for my business. We started chatting and within one week, she had placed my product in Oprah Daily. I was thrilled and we continued to discuss the possibilities she could bring to my brand. 

Cascade really understood how to help my business be more visible for search & discovery online, not just through PR but every channel and has a deep understanding of search. Their expertise led me to go from page three in search for my product to page one with a difficult to use platform. 

Currently, Cascade is assisting me in moving to a better ecommerce website platform that will help improve our search & visibility, our content and display our media wins. Her strategy for my business has been clear, simple and direct. She has created and advised on strategies for my website, social media, video content, email marketing and more. 

Even provided simple tactics that I can employ myself. All of this to complement PR and drive more traffic. Cascade was pivotal in the rebranding of my company and ensuring that it connected with consumers in a meaningful way by creating supportive brand message and brand story to communicate the company better. 

Deliverables include: 

• PR exposure and sampling on a limited budget 
• Improved search & visibility for search and improve sales 
• Better engagement and use of email database for sales 
• Improved video and blog content for search and engagement 
• Ongoing advisement and consulting to improve our visibility, PR, engagement and build a community around out brand 
• Business consulting to ensure production meets demand generated from marketing and communications efforts

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Organic PR exposure in multiple outlets Improved SEO- went from page three to page one Increased email list 25% Improved our visibility, PR, engagement and built a community around out brand Marketing and communications efforts to prepare for paid media on Meta

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Her strategy for my business has been clear, simple and direct. She has created and advised on strategies for my website, social media, video content, email marketing and more. Even provided simple tactics that I can employ myself. All of this to complement PR and drive more traffic. Deliverables always on time or early. Response time is A+

What was your primary form of communication with Cascade Communications?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

How easy it is to communicate with them and not feel like I don't know what I am doing, which I don't, most of the time. Never being talked down to, always listening to my ideas and then taking it into their hands to make it even more compelling. Answering every email or text promptly.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Cascade Communications could have done differently?

Not that I can think of

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of an art preservation nonprofit.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Communications?

We had an outdated website and needed a new one that was easier to update and manage.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built a new Wix site for us from scratch, including new branding.

What is the team composition?

I worked with one person from their team.

How did you come to work with Cascade Communications?

We were connected to them through Wix.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2019, and we wrapped up in January 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The quality was exceptional. The team was able to interpret our needs and create a great site. It includes everything we wanted.

How did Cascade Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

We used email and weekly calls to keep in communication. They were always on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I never felt like there was a disconnect. The correspondence was always reliable. It was a smooth relationship and our contact was very likable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to start with a clear mapping period ahead of time. It’ll make the project execution smoother and to your liking.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an authorized training site for the American Heart Association. We provide CPR and first aid training and certification.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Communications?

We needed help with our website. We had been working with someone else, but we wanted to update our website to make it easier for us to maintain and manage on our own. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a website through Wix. I provided them with general information and data such as our business logo and policies. They took it from there and created a new website for us. This included both design and development.

What is the team composition?

Jennifer (President) was my main contact. 

How did you come to work with Cascade Communications?

I’ve known Jennifer for many years, and I knew that she ran a digital marketing firm. When this project came up, I decided to reach out to her. 

How much have you invested with them?

I spent less than $5,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2015. Our engagement is ongoing as Jennifer has provided multiple updates. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They really helped us with SEO which increased our web traffic. We had an uptick in our business to as a result. Typically in Google searches, we come up on the first page. 

How did Cascade Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

Their performance was excellent. We communicate via email and over the phone. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their availability is impressive. They provide a tremendous amount of support when needed and have a professional and pragmatic approach. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, I don’t think so. They deliver at a very high level. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Just trust Jennifer. She has the knowledge and experience to move your business forward.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder and VP of marketing for Lekkco Belgian Dark Chocolate Spread, a healthier alternative to other indulgent options. We’re a nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, dark chocolate.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Cascade Communications; PR & Digital Marketing Agency?

We hired Cascade Communications to support our PR efforts ahead of a prominent industry event. We knew we’d be in a competitive landscape with other brands, so we needed a team to support our efforts.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to introduce our company’s story during a food trade show in San Fransisco. Our goal was to establish a voice to drive conversations, booth visits, and media interest to increase our brand awareness.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We knew Cascade Communications had a good reputation for giving small companies a distinct voice. We also were attracted to their professionalism, knowledge, and ability to follow-through.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Cascade Communications wrote two press releases and an email introduction for our company. In addition, they created a media outreach strategy for us to use at the industry event.

What was the team composition?

The owner of Cascade Communications is the person I worked closest with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I was delighted with the results their work helped deliver. We saw a significant amount of visitors to our booth at the trade show after the press releases were written. Also, large retail chains showed interest in bringing our product to their stores. In addition to that, the work Cascade Communications did for us helped garner attention from chefs and bloggers.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were easy to communicate with and followed-up with us, even after the show. Their team was timely with getting the deliverables to us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were invested in learning about our goals and took a strategic approach to the project. Their team took a deep-dive into our company in order to put together a great story for our brand. We were very impressed with the results.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There’s nothing they could have improved on.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the inventor of the Crawligator, which is an infant crawling tummy time toy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Communications?

We're a new startup, so my biggest goal was fundraising. I was looking for a company to do public relations for me and help me build my brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We met and discussed my goals. I still had 12–18 months to produce the mold for the final product testing, so I had time to develop my business plans. Cascade Communications created a website for me and help me build my brand identity. They're also setting up my Facebook account.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Jennifer (Fortney, Principal, Cascade Communications). I've also worked with a graphic designer who helped me with the logo and the branding.

How did you come to work with them?

My mentor at SCORE (Society of Retired Executives) referred me to them. I called them and they seemed like a perfect fit.

How much have you invested with them?

I've spent about $12,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in March 2017 and this is an ongoing project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

My website has been getting a lot of visitors and exposure. I haven't finalized my Facebook ad yet, but I absolutely love the website that Jennifer has built for me.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very accommodating and know what a startup needs. They know how to approach different types of people to establish a productive process and understand that some people are creative but not very organized.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Jennifer is very professional and everything she does exceeds my expectations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of an active lifestyle brand that develops workout headphones.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Comm & PR?

We were working on a Kickstarter campaign. I needed help with PR efforts and awareness campaigns.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We need to increase our brand awareness as much as possible within our limited budget. Jennifer Fortney (Principal, Cascade Comm & PR) started our Kickstarter campaign by identifying and describing our product and target clientele. She assembled a list of 100 different publications that fit our company. She started pitching our product and brand to a number of publications, garnering interest from various groups.

We set up in-person meetings with interested publications. Meetings were set within a few days of each other, so I could attend most within one trip. The majority of the publications she vetted were in New York. I interviewed with five or six different publications.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Jennifer.

How did you come to work with Cascade Comm & PR?

A friend introduced me to Cascade.

How much have you invested in them?

I spent around $10,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from July–September 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We launched the Kickstarter campaign in September 2015. Over 30 days, we raised a little over $100,000. A big part of our success came from the work she did upfront that generated people’s interest. People heard about us through the different platforms that we worked with. Jennifer was able to work magic for us, especially considering our tight budget.

How did Cascade Comm & PR perform from a project management standpoint?

Our collaboration was awesome. This was my first experience working with a PR firm tasked with developing traffic and pre-campaign buzz. I’m not organized, but Jennifer was able to keep me on task. This isn’t easy to do, yet she did it well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Jennifer really cares about her clients and how she represents them. She didn't hesitate to correct my own team members. She wasn’t afraid to say what was on her mind in order to position herself in the right light. She definitely cares about what she does and her reputation, which reflects in her work.

She was determined and spirited, which we really appreciated as a newer company. Working with her was a valuable experience that I won’t forget. Our collaboration was helpful for establishing the foundations for a successful Kickstarter campaign and a later round of investment.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We spent time with great publications. However, there were other publications that weren't available to us that targeted our niche market. She could have focused more on these.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a registered nurse, consultant, and manager with Kansas Regenerative Institute. We’re a locally owned and operated stem cell facility specializing in regenerative medicine.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Comm & PR?

As part of a smaller metropolitan area, it’s important for us to work with local companies to help our community. While we had an existing relationship with an area marketing team, we needed a company that understood the medical sector well enough to present our business in a way that was unique, while still maintaining the professionalism of a medical facility.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They looked at our existing marketing strategy and immediately identified a few problem areas. In terms of digital marketing, for instance, our previous vendor failed to make our website visible online. While we had paid for this service, Cascade Comm found that users searching for our services were seeing results from nearby cities. Website content was another point of concern.

Jennifer (Founder, Cascade Comm & PR) identified these areas for improvement within two days and then developed a new strategy. As Cascade Comm typically works with non-medical businesses, they were able to apply broad techniques for improving our SEO rankings. They also helped us create rich website content that patients would find intuitive. This was important since our patients are typically older and not necessarily computer-savvy.

After seeing success with the website, we scrapped our entire existing marketing strategy and hired Cascade Comm to take over.

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with Jennifer.

How did you come to work with Cascade Comm & PR?

We researched a number of local companies, but couldn’t find anyone within our price range. As a startup, cost was an important factor, especially after wasting money on the previous vendor.

I’d known Jennifer for a long time, and while I initially only asked for her advice on handling marketing in-house, I realized that she could tackle our challenges more efficiently and at a competitive price. We decided to hire her and it’s been the best decision.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent around $5,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between May–October 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Our new website went live early last fall and we saw dramatic improvement within the first two weeks. We received a 60% increase in phone calls each week, most of which resulted from online searches. Many patients told us they thought we had just opened, proving how ineffective the previous marketing strategies had been.

Patients today are more tech-savvy than they used to be, researching medical issues online. Jennifer was able to zero in on this fact and ensure that our online presence reflected these needs.

How did Cascade Comm & PR perform from a project management standpoint?

Working with Jennifer was effortless compared to the previous vendor. We set up weekly conference calls and she established firm guidelines we needed to follow in order to stay within our timeframe. Pricing was made clear and she remained very prompt.

She also designed the website so that I can make minor changes on my own. This streamlines our efforts, which is important in the medical industry, as things change frequently. The previous vendor charged an hourly rate to make small edits.

What did you find most impressive about them?

While we were initially concerned about hiring a vendor without knowledge of the medical industry, Jennifer proved herself highly capable, which speaks volumes about her work ethic. She took time to understand our unique challenges and her intuitiveness allowed her to grasp the terminology and security issues related to our field.

Jennifer also had no qualms about voicing her opinion. She has excellent leadership qualities and let us know if she thought we were moving in the wrong direction. We were so impressed by Cascade Comm that the hospital we partner with may hire them to redo their marketing, as well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing, as far as I’m concerned.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of The Sensory Kid Store, which sells sensory developmental and therapy products for individuals with developmental differences. As a product expert, I also provide consulting services and advocacy work for families and individuals with special needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Comm & PR?

As a mom of three kids with developmental differences, I opened the first store in the country to serve as an inclusive place for families of children with special needs. I wanted to emphasize our brand’s focus on women and families, so I needed help conveying our unique message and informing the public about our grand opening.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us craft our message and demonstrated a real talent for communicating a concept. They wrote press releases and highlighted our store through newspaper articles, magazines, editorial pieces, and television.

They’ve helped us adjust our message through a number of large transitions. With another approaching, I plan to reach out to Cascade Comm again.

What is the team composition?

I worked exclusively with Jennifer (President, Cascade Comm & PR).

How did you come to work with Cascade Comm & PR?

I hired her because she was very qualified and offered reasonable prices.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $10,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Jennifer was worth every penny I spent, which is the main reason I’ve continued to work with her over the years. My husband has worked with large, expensive PR firms and seen far less return on his investment. I was amazed by how much exposure Cascade Comm was able to give us for relatively little money.

How did Cascade Comm & PR perform from a project management standpoint?

I worked very closely with Jennifer. She was attentive, walked me through the process, and accomplished every task as promised.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Jennifer adds an interesting perspective and has a real ability to zero in on the unique selling points of a business. She recognizes what attracts customers and makes them want to enter our store or visit our website. Plus, she has a vast network. She knows who to contact to get our message across.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Jennifer and I haven’t worked together in years, but I never had any complaints. We recently discussed launching a new campaign together.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder of our company. While we were a startup, we manufactured a product for dogs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cascade Comm & PR?

This was my first company that sold to the retail market. My prior experience involved launching service companies. At the time, I lacked experience with marketing and PR. We sought a vendor who could both provide those services and instruct us on best practice.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired Cascade Comm & PR to spearhead our PR efforts and help us develop executive marketing and business plans. They used several avenues to bolster our brand recognition, including bloggers, magazines, radio, and TV. I was interviewed many times on pet-related radio shows and in print publications.

The team was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They offered guidance and stewardship with bringing our product to market. Their founder came with me to major trade shows around the country, where she was a tremendous help. In addition, they helped us create executive summaries for potential investors.

What is the team composition?

Several interns researched and compiled lists of pet bloggers and publications. The founder, Jennifer Fortney, subsequently made contacts with those platforms.

How did you come to work with Cascade Comm & PR?

I took a PR and marketing class with Score, a national organization started by retired executives. Cascade Comm & PR’s founder taught the course. I was very impressed that she wasn't trying to sell us anything. Rather, she provided assistance and guidance to help new companies succeed independently. I made an appointment to meet with her after the course ended, and decided to hire her company.

How much have you invested with them?

We had them on a monthly retainer which we eventually reduced. We spent between $10,000 and $20,000 total on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in April 2014 and we worked together through 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Cascade Comm & PR got us 80 media hits within our first year of working together. Notable spots included PetSmart online, and Drs. Foster and Smith, and the nationally broadcast Today Show. We were very impressed with their abilities. Wherever and whenever they could get our name in front of an audience, they did.

I’ve subsequently sold the company, but their work was really incredible. I highly recommend them to any startup, which is their area of specialization. They accommodated our financial constraints inherent to being a new company. Jennifer contributed not only her expertise, but also her time and effort. Having totally immersed herself in our company, she truly understood our product, its value, and what we were trying to do.

How did Cascade Comm & PR perform from a project management standpoint?

They were outstanding. Jennifer was instrumental in keeping us focused and targeted. Her level of discipline definitely came in handy. She kept bringing me back to our message, mission, and focus. Using an organized method helped us define the goals we wanted to accomplish.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've never worked with different PR firms, but I can't imagine anyone working as closely with us as Jennifer did. She was always on point with our requirements and offered an amazing level of input. I was totally satisfied with the services she provided our company. She was indispensable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would be hardpressed to come up with something they could do differently.