Over 30 years of expertise in public relations and marketing, Stacey Bender founded the Bender Group PR over 19 years ago. The Bender Group PR with clients ranging from food brands, lifestyle brands such as jewelry or entertainment, healthcare, and technology. They consistently secure Top Line Media in outlets for clients including, People, PopSugar, Food Network, Rachel Ray Everyday, and New York Times to name a few.
FWM: You began your career at the number one independent public relations agency in New York City called Day, which eventually merged with Ogilvy & Mather. What did you learn at the agency? What did your portfolio include?
My public relations career started early. Before I even know what ‘public relations’ really was, I was doing it. Throughout college at the University of South Florida, I really found my calling. I was president of the Public Relations Student Society of America, worked at a public relations agency, did public relations for local running events (as a runner!), and so, PR pulsed through my veins. I interviewed for jobs in NYC as I wanted to be in the heart of the media world. I landed at a women-owned and run firm then called D-A-Y, run by two amazing women who I adored. Later, the firm was bought by O&M and became part of that group. I learned everything there – how to present, write, run events, deal with media, and work with all kinds people, executives, public figures, celebrities and so on. We had amazing accounts ranging from Crystal Light, Maxwell House Coffee, Kool-Aid, Post Cereals, and Ronzoni (mostly food) and I handled the events portion. Our clients sponsored everything from Senior Olympics Swimming and Diving Clinics with Kids, NYC, and other Marathon runs to the National Aerobic Championships. It was a dream come true.
FWM: What did you enjoy the most at the agency?
I loved all of it! I really loved dealing with the media on behalf of my clients to see our stories in real-time on many outlets from TV to print including outlets such as The Today Show, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal. I loved travel at the time and traveled the world with the ‘Kool-Aid Man,’ Crystal Light National Aerobic Champions and even such great celebrities as the real- Jake La Motta, Buster Crabbe, Leonard Nimoy, Raquel Welch, Linda Evans and more. I loved making my clients’ brands front and center in the news and I still do.
FWM: You launched the Bender Group PR firm 25 years ago. What is your advice for women who want to transition from corporate America to launch their own business?
DO IT! I had worked for other firms for many years and the time came when I had FOUR kids under the age of six and a full-time career and later did it all as a single mom. I loved the work and the clients, but the demands of the agency life and the commute were no longer doable. My clients were actually the ones who told me to start my own firm! So, I took the leap of faith and I started Bender Group, and the rest is history. We actually still have many of the same clients and client relationships that we did when we started 20 years ago!
“We have had some great successes over the decades! We helped put French’s Mustard into the hands and landscape of the American consumers, helped Frank’s RedHot own “ I put that —– on everything”
FWM: You are a sports enthusiast and runner. How does your love for fitness play into your work?
Staying active keeps me sane and fit, especially because I just love to eat. My workout of choice is running which is my time to really slow down and be with myself and my thoughts, as I am quite busy otherwise. I actually believe that running is a key to my success as I have some of my best ideas when I run. I’ve never worn headsets or listened to music, just me and my thoughts. Also, I’ve always loved sports and my career started by aligning my clients’ brands with sporting events. Today our broad base of consumer products still focuses on food and fitness.
FWM: You are a powerhouse in strategy, high-level media placement, creative planning, and execution. Share a few success stories.
We have had some great successes over the decades! We helped put French’s Mustard into the hands and landscape of the American consumers, helped Frank’s RedHot own “ I put that —– on everything,”, launched first-of-its-kind products with such brands as Folios Cheese Wraps, and making Manischewitz mainstream. We are close to our clients and proud of the work we’ve done over the past two decades.
FWM: You are a Social Media Maven. What are some of the needs for clients today?
Social media is now an extension of public relations. Through social media, we are able to create exciting content to engage current and new consumers, collaborate with niche influencers to really reach our client’s target audiences, give back to our fans through fun campaigns and collaborations with other brands such as giveaways and contests, and also ‘re-purpose’ the work we do in media relations for all the social media channels. We grow our brands visibility and create a reason to buy and love their products.
FWM: Do you have a favorite PR campaign?
I honestly love them all, but I really do love when our clients support causes they love and when portions of the proceeds of their products help those charities.
FWM: What is your recipe for success?
Having a passion for what you do and doing it with all your heart, no matter how challenging it will be. Don’t give up on the things that light you up.
FWM: The Bender Group PR is a family affair. Tell us more.
All four of my children ( known as the other 4H club) Haley, Hayden, Heather, and Hayes worked for me at one time or another. In fact, when they were little they would say “Mommy one day when I grow up, I want to work for you!” and they did. My oldest daughter Haley has remained in PR and is the Global PR Director at a large Ad Agency, My son Hayden is now my partner at The Bender Group, Heather enjoyed PR but pursued her true passion to became a teacher and Hayes worked for us at the office in and was a brand ambassador for clients in many consumer special events. He then went on to start his own career. I love having Hayden as my partner now, knowing he shares my passion for the business. We make a great team.
FWM: Your youngest son, Hayes lost his life to an addiction disorder. Tell us about Hayes.
Hayes was the youngest of the four. Full of life and for him every day was an adventure. Like so many young people he struggled with anxiety which later led to addiction. He had completed recovery programs and was doing well at the time of his death. He was in an outpatient program, with therapy and just landed a great job and his own apartment. His accidental relapse and overdose not quite two years ago has been the worst nightmare for me and for my family. If not for my family and my kids, I certainly am not sure that I could go on. I hear his voice every day pushing me forward. He would want that and yet I still re-think all that could have been done differently and I remain in disbelief that I lost my beautiful boy at only 24. If I can help one mother not have to live that tragedy, I want to do just that.
FWM: Tell us about the nonprofit BigVision NYC.
A friend of mine named Amy Lazarus had lost her son Jake Goldberg at age 25, also due to an accidental overdose not two years before I lost Hayes. She shared with me how she found Eve Goldberg, who lost her son Issac at age 25 about five years prior, also due to an addiction disorder. Amy introduced me to BigVision, the organization that Eve started to help young people in recovery. Joining BigVision’s advisory board was a way for me to use my public relations skills to help create awareness about BigVision and for me personally to have an outlet to express my loss and honor Hayes’ life in a positive way. I often think that if Hayes had a support group like BigVision maybe he would have not felt so very alone and the outcome could have been different. https://www.bigvision.nyc/ is non-profit resource to help young people in recovery where most lose the battle. I am honored and proud to be a supporter and on the Advisory Board. I hope others will check it out to donate and to offer their time and services and share it with others to join who need support. Rehab is just the beginning. You can live a good life Sober. BigVision saves lives.
As one of the most respected PR Professionals in your field, do you have any plans to expand in 2021?
We are always looking for great brands, products, organizations, and people to work with.
Please share your social media links.
