Thompson & Bender

Briarcliff Manor

It’s not surprising that Thompson & Bender’s extensive client list includes Westchester County Tourism & Film and the county’s Office of Economic Development. The three partners at this top advertising/marketing/public-relations firm are quite possibly the county’s biggest cheerleaders, so selling its value comes naturally. (Geoff Thompson and Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson were raised here, while Dean Bender is a longtime resident.) 

Capitalizing on an expertise in all things Westchester, Thompson & Bender has become the local go-to agency, billing some $6 million a year. “We understand the landscape; we have the connections,” says Bracken-Thompson, adding that the 16-employee company is active in surrounding counties, as well. In fact, it seems the firm has had a hand in promoting nearly every major development in the area, across all sectors, including business, real estate, retail, healthcare, education, and nonprofit. The Ritz-Carlton NY, Westchester in White Plains; The Westchester mall; New York-Presbyterian Hospital; and the Food Bank for Westchester are just a few of the clients Thompson & Bender has worked with during its 30 years. (The firm celebrates its milestone anniversary this year.)

Such longevity comes from adapting to “monumental changes” in the industry, Bracken-Thompson claims. But despite new methodologies, such as social media, digital advertising, and sponsored content, she adds, “The essence of ‘the idea’ and good writing are still key.”

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The right words no doubt come easily, as all three partners are former newspaper employees. “Journalism is in our DNA,” says Bender. We naturally ask: “‘What’s the story here?’”