Recognized for her expertise in marketing, communications strategy and agency portfolio management, Catherine Adams Bension has served as the chief executive officer of Select Resources International since 1997. Under her leadership, the company has worked with 65 of North America’s 70 largest organizations that invest in advertising and paid media, helping client organizations address critical questions about internal management versus outsourcing, agency model effectiveness and partner selection. Select Resources International’s past clients include Bank of America, Discover, Home Depot, Kohl’s, PetSmart, Staples, Visa, Walmart and Wells Fargo, among many others. Ms. Bension’s approach often involves what she calls “marriage counseling” for business relationships — a process whereby she facilitates contract renegotiations and fosters sustainable partnerships. She has guided companies through industry shifts — including the rise of digital marketing, participant marketing and social media — and has led university initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of less experienced talent in managing complex business relationships.
Raised in Los Angeles during an era when few women held corporate roles, Ms. Bension drew inspiration from her mother’s remarkable career in education. Her mother obtained teaching credentials later in life, worked her way up to serving as principal of a school and went on to run for public school board, serving in that office well into retirement age. This example instilled values of resilience and lifelong learning that continue to guide Ms. Bension to this day.
Prior to joining Select Resources International, Ms. Bension spent four years as a group head at FCB, where she excelled at managing challenging client relationships and was instrumental in launching a new agency for one of the country’s largest banks. Earlier in her career, she held the position of director of marketing for Universal Studios in affiliation with MCA Recreation Services. Ms. Bension was recruited for that role after only nine months at Ogilvy due to her ability to navigate difficult corporate demands within a division that included theme parks, live concerts and concessions at national landmarks such as Yosemite National Park. Her professional journey began in 1975, when she joined Columbia Pictures as chief of staff to the global head of advertising and publicity, contributing to marketing campaigns for major films such as “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
Before embarking on her vocational path, Ms. Bension sought a strong education. Her undergraduate education focused on literature and foreign languages. Subsequently, Ms. Bension earned a Master of Business Administration from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, where women made up only 17 percent of her class. She credits her success to a passion for problem-solving, strategic thinking and intellectual curiosity; one of her favorite pastimes in college was contrasting philosophical concepts against each other.
Ms. Bension is widely regarded for her ability to deliver consistent results while building enduring relationships with corporate leaders. Upward of 65 to 70 percent of Select Resources International’s business comes from individual chief marketing officers or companies with whom she has established a legacy of trust and performance. Ms. Bension’s reputation within the advertising industry was underscored by a recent outpouring of respect from her peers. On her 70th birthday, as she was recovering from cancer, 150 chief executive officers from agencies worldwide gathered virtually to honor her contributions — an event that stands among her proudest achievements.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Ms. Bension serves on a board focused on marketing and data analytics for the University of California, Los Angeles and the Morrison Center for Marketing & Data Analytics. This endeavor is just one example of her commitment to advancing best practices in the field.
On a personal note, Ms. Bension is happily married and a loving mother to two sons. She enjoys sculpting, shopping and fashion, having often made her own clothes, costumes and even her prom dresses. Ms. Bension is also learning how to paint. She remains closely connected with her nine sorority sisters from college, sharing experiences with each of them.
As she looks to the future, Ms. Bension hopes to see the brand she has built for nearly 30 years with Select Resources International maintain its prominence and continue evolving amid rapid technological change. She recognizes that sustaining this legacy will require significant investment and thoughtful succession planning, but she is dedicated to securing the company’s future. As she confronts the complexities of aging and health challenges, Ms. Bension’s career stands as a testament to her expertise across marketing strategy, relationship management and communications — skills that have been recognized and celebrated by clients and peers alike for decades.