Oregon Wine Industry

Oregon is the third largest viniferous grape growing region in the U.S., with 463 wineries

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2021 Oregon Wine Symposium | Industry Updates: OWB Communications, Vineyard & Winery Report, Government Affairs

| Education, Oregon Wine Symposium |

Industry Updates: OWB Communications, Vineyard & Winery Report, Government Affairs

In this three-part session, hear important updates on three areas of interest to the Oregon wine industry. First, Sally Murdoch from the OWB will provide an overview of upcoming media relations efforts in support of Oregon wine. She will be joined by guests Katherine Cole and Evan Martin weighing in on story ideas to garner media attention in 2021. Then, OWB’s Jess Willey will have a chat with Bob Parker from the University of Oregon, who leads the annual effort to produce the Oregon Vineyard & Winery Report. Lastly, Dan Jarman from Crosswater Strategies and Evyan Andries from Oxley and Associates will provide an update on the current legislative session and advocacy topics relevant to the wine industry in Oregon.

View the Session Recording

Speaker Bios

Sally spent the first half of her 26-year PR career managing media relations for iconic sports brands adidas, Taylor Made Golf, DC Shoes, Quiksilver and Nike. She then dove into craft beer and wine PR for Widmer Brothers, Kona Brewing, Coronado Brewing and now the Oregon Wine Board. Working with journalists, TV producers and bloggers, Sally helped pique global interest in Northwest brands that posess a treasure trove of diverse stories. Sally graduated with a B.A. from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications, and has attained her WSET II. A fourth generation Portlander, Sally is mom to a 13 year old who refers to Oregon Wine Country as her “happy place.”
Bob Parker is director of strategy and technical solutions for the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE). Bob served as executive director of IPRE from 1999 to 2020. Over the last 30+ years, Bob has managed more than 500 policy and planning analysis projects with communities and state officials throughout Oregon. IPRE is known widely throughout Oregon as one of the state’s critical policy analysis resources, connecting expertise of University faculty and students with communities and agencies. These relationships, as well as vast policy analysis experience, help IPRE provide service to communities and organizations throughout Oregon. Bob also coordinates the EDA University Center for economic development housed in IPRE.
Jess joined the Oregon Wine Board in 2014, shortly after moving to Oregon from New York City. After serving as marketing director, Jess now leads strategic planning, marketplace insights and industry communications for the OWB. Prior to joining the OWB, Jess worked at wine and spirits importer Palm Bay International where she managed marketing programs for a portfolio of Italian, Portuguese and Chilean wine brands. She previously spent seven years at Unilever as a brand manager for food and beverage brands in the U.S. and the U.K.

Jess studied engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She has also earned the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3 with distinction. Jess lives in Portland with her husband and energetic young daughter.

As president of Oxley and Associates, Evyan Andries manages the firm’s operations and development of political strategy for its diverse client base. Evyan brings over a decade of experience in helping clients navigate complex regulatory, legislative and political issues with agencies, municipalities and state and local governments.

Evyan serves as the primary lobbyist for the Oregon Wine Council, Oregon’s leading statewide wine industry advocacy association, spearheading advocacy initiatives that support the long-term sustainability and success of Oregon’s wine industry. In the last year, Evyan has been instrumental in supporting the industry through a challenging COVID-19 regulatory and operational environment. Her efforts have helped to ensure the wine industry has a voice and a seat at the table when decisions are being made that impact your operations.

Dan Jarman has lobbied for the Oregon wine industry since the mid-1990s, working with policymakers at the state, local and federal levels. He is the president of Crosswater Strategies, which represents the Oregon Winegrowers Association. Dan has worked on key wine industry issues such as direct shipment, OLCC regulations, workforce and farming policies, the creation of the Oregon Wine Country license plate, and changes to land use laws to clarify commercial activities and events on EFU land. Prior to his career in advocacy, Dan held senior staff roles at the Oregon legislature. Dan started in politics as an aide for then U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield just after graduating from Oregon State University. In 2019, Dan was honored with Oregon Wine Board’s Industry Partner Award recognizing his long time service to Oregon’s wine industry.