Our Services

Media Relations

We pride ourselves on our thoughtful and thorough approach to media outreach, regardless of outlet. Whether our messaging targets trade or lifestyle, digital or print, traditional or social, every one of our engagements and interactions are personal and tailored. We have close, long-term relationships that we’ve developed over the years with key media and influencers across prominent US and UK media channels (including Wine Business Monthly, Robb Report, JancisRobinson.com), which have proven to be tremendous assets in our work with various clients. We’ve taken the lead on PR initiatives for Sonoma wineries such as Three Sticks Wines, Hanzell Winery, Paul Hobbs Winery, as well as international clients with less brand recognition in the US – Cahors Malbec and Yacoubian Hobbs (Armenia) – requiring more targeted pitching and careful research to engage the most relevant media contacts. We offer full-service media relations from generating media lists and pitching to coordinating sample shipments, follow-up and reporting.

See examples of our work

Marketing & Branding

Our brand management and marketing experience ranges from mass-market wines to luxury brands from around the world such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leflaive (France), Royal Tokaji (Hungary) and Schramsberg Vineyards (Napa Valley). We’ve successfully assisted with the launch of domestic and international brands here in the USA, including planning and executing a highly innovative media tour to launch St. Michelle Wine Estate’s luxury brand Col Solare (Washington State). Recently, we launched two brands for UK supplier Broadland Wineries in the US – Waipapa Bay Wines (New Zealand) and a vegan-friendly wine Proudly Vegan Wines (Chile). Other work has included re-positioning existing brands, where in the case of Cadaretta Wines (Washington State) and Clay House (Paso Robles), we detailed the new brand plans right down to the redesign of the tasting rooms.

Innovative Events

We create spectacular events of all sizes for trade and consumers that are designed with acute attention to detail and thorough communication with our clients throughout the planning and production process. From intimate gatherings of high-level trade and media attendees to large-scale events with thousands of attendees, we ensure all moving parts are carefully managed – by our own team as well as our network of vendors and venues that have remained loyal to us throughout the years. We plan and host wine tours for press and trade both domestically and abroad, ensuring that each and every experience reflects positively on the brand, the place and the client.

Trade Relations

In the face of an ever-evolving, increasingly discerning consumer, it is of utmost importance to maintain strong relationships with the industry gatekeepers: wine buyers, independent retailers, restaurateurs, sommeliers, beverage directors, and others. We focus on targeting these individuals, the true brand ambassadors who ensure visibility at their respective points of sale and communicate the stories behind the products and brands we represent to the end consumer. We maintain an extensive list of trade contacts, both local (West Coast) and in top US markets – New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois – that we have developed through our past experiences working with the top US importers and distributors, as well as managing trade associations (Wine Market Council and California Wine Institute).

content & Copywriting

The right messaging at the right moment is essential for any successful marketing strategy. This requires thoughtful planning of a comprehensive communication strategy that is tailored to the platform and the audience, all while maintaining a consistent tone of voice. It also requires flexibility, as messaging must also consider and be respectful of current events and the state of the industry as a whole. Our team excels at content creation – from applying creativity and prose to social media content calendars, to coordinating partnerships with key influencers who will increase visibility and grow audiences. For copywriting, we apply our extensive experience in journalism and storytelling to our services including website copy, blog posts and email newsletters. No matter the end goal, ODL works collaboratively with clients to fully understand the brand essence and ensure that it is translated correctly and effectively across all communications.

Strategic Planning

Our team brings more than two decades of experience in strategic retreat moderation and strategic and action plan development. We offer expertise in all aspects of strategic planning: consumer and trade research, both qualitative and quantitative; brand development, positioning and messaging strategy; direct to consumer marketing evaluation and strategy development; hospitality and customer service training; event strategy and execution; sponsorship strategy and development; and communications and advertising strategy with plan execution. Recent strategic plans include: The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley, Wine BC 2030 for the British Columbia Wine Institute (Canada), Idaho Wine 2020 (USA), Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (USA).