Thompson & Bender Celebrates 25 Years
The Briarcliff-based Thompson & Bender has turned a quarter century old. And last night the public relations/marketing/advertising firm celebrated the landmark in style.
At a reception for more than 300 invited guests, the event was held at 42 The Restaurant in downtown White Plains.
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was one of many VIPs who joined in congratulating Thompson & Bender. He also presented a proclamation to the firm’s three principals: Geoff Thompson, Dean Bender and Liz Bracken-Thompson.
Proclamations were also presented by Ken Jenkins, chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators and Don Scott, representing the office of Congresswoman Nan Hayworth. White Plains Mayor Tom Roach also addressed the audience in congratulating the firm.
The offices of New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and New York State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef also submitted proclamations. Thompson & Bender was also notified by the office of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo that a proclamation is forthcoming. Other VIPs included members of the county executive’s administration: Kevin Plunkett, Westchester Deputy County Executive; George Oros, Chief of Staff; Larry Gottlieb, Director of Economic Development; Ned McCormack, Communications Director; Billy Mooney, Senior Assistant and Christine Sculti, Assistant; Tim Idoni, Westchester County Clerk; County Legislators Peter Harkham, John Nonna, Michael Kaplowitz and Bill Burton; White Plains Common Council member Ben Boykin; Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young; Ossining Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia; former Westchester County Executive Andy Spano; former White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino; Marsha Gordon, President of the Business Council of Westchester and Bill Mooney, President of The Westchester County Association.
The principals cite their work in the newspaper business along with maintaining a diverse client-base as key elements in the agency’s on-going success. The agency has worked with more than 125 clients as it focused on being a regionally-oriented player.
“Our goal was to be the experts, the leaders in the market we serve. We know our market and we know it well. I think it’s safe to say that we have accomplished that goal,” commented Geoff Thompson.
The public relations arm of Thompson & Bender began with its two founders, Thompson and Bender, who spent 15 years working as reporters and editors for the Gannett newspapers. Thompson served as business and real estate editor and Bender as assistant business editor.
Bracken-Thompson, also formerly with Gannett, joined T&B in 1990 as a partner in the firm bringing marketing, advertising and community relations expertise. While at Gannett, she was a vice president of marketing for the then 10-daily newspaper group and she held special assignments including a role in the national launch of USA TODAY.
Dean Bender currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Building Owners and Managers Association.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.