Manager of Public Relations
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop, manage and execute the Oregon Wine brand PR and earned media strategy
- Provide strategic direction and ensure alignment with Oregon Wine brand objectives
- Design and execute media-focused events, campaigns and press tours for domestic and international media and trade.
- Organize and host wine critic tastings, including managing calls for wine, pre-visit logistics, on-site coordination, and any related follow-up
- Develop and maintain a dashboard of industry trends, identifying emerging PR opportunities and challenges for Oregon wine; and make it available to Oregon winegrowers and producers.
- Assess the Oregon wine industry’s capacity for engaging successfully with the media; and provide industry guidance and training as needed
- Serve as a brand Oregon Wine ambassador, hosting media guests at events, key market activations and tastings.
Bio:
Ben Engel is an experienced public relations and marketing professional, with over five years working in public relations agencies. Ben moved to the Portland area in June 2025 from Reno, Nevada, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communications from the University of Nevada, Reno. Prior to his work at Oregon Wine Board, Ben was a PR Account Manager at The Abbi Agency, a full-service Reno-based PR & marketing agency, for four years, where he drove PR strategy for a variety of tech, nonprofit, and travel & lifestyle clients. Ben has vast experience working with national journalists, including CBS News, CNN Travel, and CNBC, and delivering strong stories for those he represents.
Beyond his PR expertise, Ben is an experienced photographer and content creator. Outside of work, Ben is an avid outdoorsman and mountaineer. You can find him camping, hiking and climbing in the summer or skiing and snowshoeing in the winter with his wife and his family.
