Posts by Liz O'Donnell
What PR Professionals Can Learn From Emerging Wine Consumer Trends
By Ava Stepanian The wine industry has long been defined by authenticity, family, and sustainability. While those fundamentals remain unchanged, how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase wine is rapidly evolving . Beverage preferences are shifting as Gen Z and millennials redefine what influences purchasing decisions, from flavor and functionality to values and social experiences. They…
Read MoreAI Has Leveled the Field in PR. Human Insight Will Redraw It.
Rapid execution has become a new baseline for PR practitioners. AI has made it possible for teams of any size and budget to draft press releases, generate pitches, and synthesize information in seconds. The result is a flood of competent but interchangeable output. As AI equalizes access to speed and execution, the thinking behind those…
Read MoreFive Takeaways from Muck Rack’s 2026 State of PR Report
PR is changing quickly, with AI reshaping daily workflows, new questions emerging around Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and increased pressure to prove business impact. Muck Rack, a PR and communications platform used by thousands of companies (including Double Forte) for media relations monitoring and measurement, surveyed 1,115 PR professionals to gather insights for its 2026…
Read MoreChecking In Mid-Year: The 4 Questions to Ask During a Half Year Pulse Check
By: Doug Cipriani Public relations moves at a rapid pace. Suddenly half the year is already in the rear-view mirror and discussions about the back half of the year are upon us. But before just moving forward on the back half plans you developed over six months ago, take pause to reflect on the first…
Read MoreThe Future of Earned Media: Why PR Needs to Think Beyond the “Traditional” Publications
By Ava Lund For decades, earned media followed a familiar formula. Secure coverage in a respected publication, reach the right audience, and build credibility through third-party validation. That formula still works. The “traditional” media landscape does not. Audiences no longer rely solely on newspapers, trade publications, or broadcast outlets to stay informed. Now they turn…
Read MoreFrom Parties to Pairings: How Gen Z is Redefining Wine Culture
By Ava Stepanian What Gen Z is Craving Not long ago, the quintessential drink for young adults was an espresso martini or spicy margarita. On weekends, most young people went out to bars or clubs, dancing until closing time with a mixed drink in hand. Today, due largely to rising costs and a growing desire…
Read MoreHow Brands Stay Real in the AI Era
AI seems to have taken over our screens with generated images, captions, ads, emails, and customer service responses. Consumers are fed up. Recent resentment towards AI isn’t necessarily aimed at technology itself. The sentiment stems from a deeper-rooted human need for connection. As more brand communication starts to look and sound the same (*read, boring…
Read MoreWhy Beverage Brands are Betting Big on Experience
By Maggie Zeman Double Forte is heading to Bar Convent Brooklyn next month. This year, we are especially excited to return and participate as a judge in the 2026 BCB Brand Pitch Accelerator Competition, presented in partnership with Women of the Vine & Spirits. Celebrating its second year, the competition showcases emerging beverage brands in…
Read MoreTop 3 Takeaways From Social Media Marketing World 2026
By Ava Lund Social media marketing is evolving faster than ever. AI tools are accelerating content creation, platforms keep changing, and audiences are quicker than ever to scroll past content that feels generic or forced. Our team attended Social Media Marketing World 2026 to see how marketers are adapting in real time. Across sessions on…
Read MoreWhat Wine Marketers Can Learn from the Rise in Flavored Wine
There’s been a lot of doom and gloom in the wine industry lately. But one surprising bright spot has emerged, and it’s not organic wines, canned wines or Rosé. Surprisingly (or not surprising if you keep reading), it’s flavored wine. That is, wine infused with natural flavoring made from non-grape materials, as opposed to traditional…
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