What's Happening?
Catherine Adams Bension, CEO of Select Resources International since 1997, is recognized for her expertise in marketing, communications strategy, and agency portfolio management. Under her leadership, the company has collaborated with 65 of North America’s
70 largest organizations investing in advertising and paid media. Her work involves guiding companies through industry shifts, including the rise of digital marketing, participant marketing, and social media. Ms. Bension facilitates contract renegotiations and fosters sustainable partnerships, often employing what she terms 'marriage counseling' for business relationships. Her approach helps client organizations address critical questions regarding internal management versus outsourcing, agency model effectiveness, and partner selection. Past clients of Select Resources International include major names such as Bank of America, Discover, Home Depot, Kohl’s, PetSmart, Staples, Visa, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. Ms. Bension's career began in 1975 at Columbia Pictures, and she later held roles at Ogilvy and FCB, where she managed challenging client relationships and launched a new agency for a large bank.
Why It's Important?
Ms. Bension's work is crucial for the U.S. business landscape as she influences the marketing and advertising strategies of many of the nation's largest corporations. Her ability to navigate complex business relationships and adapt to evolving industry trends, such as digital marketing and social media, directly impacts how these companies connect with consumers and manage their brand image. By optimizing agency models and partner selections, she helps ensure that significant advertising investments yield effective results, which can affect market share, consumer perception, and ultimately, the financial performance of these major organizations. Her focus on sustainable partnerships and effective communication strategies contributes to a more stable and productive advertising ecosystem, benefiting both the client companies and the agencies involved. The success of these marketing efforts can drive consumer spending and economic activity across various sectors.
What's Next?
Ms. Bension aims to ensure the continued prominence and evolution of Select Resources International amidst rapid technological changes. This will require significant investment and thoughtful succession planning to maintain the company's legacy, which spans nearly 30 years. Her ongoing commitment to advancing best practices in the field is also evident through her service on a board focused on marketing and data analytics for the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Morrison Center for Marketing & Data Analytics. As the marketing and advertising landscape continues to transform with new technologies and consumer behaviors, her leadership will likely focus on integrating innovative approaches while preserving the core values of strategic thinking and relationship management that have defined her career.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond her direct business impact, Ms. Bension's career trajectory highlights broader shifts in corporate leadership and gender roles. Having started her career in an era when few women held corporate positions, her success serves as a testament to resilience and lifelong learning, values she attributes to her mother's career in education. Her ability to consistently deliver results and build enduring relationships, with 65 to 70 percent of Select Resources International’s business coming from repeat clients or referrals, underscores the importance of trust and performance in the professional services sector. The virtual gathering of 150 agency CEOs to honor her contributions on her 70th birthday, while recovering from cancer, reflects the deep respect and influence she commands within the advertising industry, pointing to the cultural significance of mentorship and peer recognition in professional development.
