TTL: Yonkers Launches Second Generaton of Generation Yonkers campaign

Yonkers, NY Yonkers mayor Mike Spano unveiled the second generation of the Generation Yonkers marketing campaign, a groundbreaking economic development initiative designed to position Yonkers as the next great urban frontier to live, work and play. The new campaign, which was developed by the Westchester-based advertising agency Thompson & Bender, features testimonials from prominent business leaders whose companies have recently moved to Yonkers, opened new start-ups or expanded their operations in the city. The campaign kicked off with ads running for 10 weeks on Cablevision’s News 12 to be followed by a print and digital advertising campaign. As confirmation of the success of the original Generation Yonkers campaign launched last year, Spano revealed that Yonkers currently has more than $1 billion in commercial and residential projects under development. “The development activity currently under way in Yonkers is unprecedented. The fact that the private sector is investing over a billion dollars in Yonkers undoubtedly demonstrates that our city is one of the most dynamic and exciting urban centers in the tri-state region. Clearly, the Generation Yonkers campaign is resonating with the business and real estate community. The second generation of the campaign launched today will further build on the tremendous success we’ve enjoyed over the past year,” said Spano at a news conference held at X2O Xaviars on the Hudson restaurant. He was joined by many of the business leaders featured in the new campaign. Here is what some of the business leaders featured in the new campaign are saying about Yonkers: “The pro-business climate in Yonkers is remarkable. We’re thrilled to be part of the economic renaissance underway in Yonkers,” said Patricia Simone, President, Simone Management Group. Simone is building the Boyce Thompson Center, a $35 million mixed-use complex of office, medical and retail space on the site of the former Boyce Thompson Institute property in Yonkers. Even before breaking ground for the project in June, 15,000 square feet of space was already leased. “Yonkers is on the cusp of becoming the next Hoboken or Williamsburg. It’s got everything young people are looking for,” said Joe Cotter, President, iPark. Cotter’s company is transforming a building in his iPark complex in Yonkers into 100 micro-unit, loft-style apartments targeted to Millennials. “People are rushing to Yonkers now. They’re discovering what I’ve known for a lifetime,” said Peter Kelly, renowned chef and owner of X2O Xaviars on the Hudson. Born and raised in Yonkers, Kelly has always envisioned Yonkers as a Gateway to the Hudson Valley. That vision has taken shape with his X2O waterfront restaurant where guests enjoy world-class cuisine and spectacular sunsets over the Palisades. “There is a transformation going on in Yonkers that mirrors how we transform lives through education,” said Judith Huntington, President, The College of New Rochelle, School of New Resources. CNR recently opened its new School of New Resources campus on Ashburton Avenue. It is the first undergraduate degree program to be offered in downtown Yonkers. “Yonkers has a warm community, big city feel with good restaurants and a great waterfront,” said Jairo Paredes. Operations Manager, Mindspark Interactive. In what was once an old factory building, Mindspark is now designing today’s latest digital applications for online audiences. “We’re happy to be in Yonkers and a big part of the city’s economy for the last 100 years,” said Kelly DeAngelo, Refinery Manager, American Sugar Refining. American Sugar Refining has more than 250 employees at its headquarters in downtown Yonkers. One third of their workforce comes directly from Yonkers, which offers a large and diverse labor pool and easy access to mass transit. Other business leaders featured in the new campaign include: Valentina Stanislavskaia, Data Engineer, Mindspark Interactive; Sandia Trent, Business Intelligence Analyst, Mindspark Interactive; and Leo De La Cruz, Owner, Le One Fashions. The first phase of the Generation Yonkers campaign, which was launched in April 2014, included print and digital advertising in local and regional media as well as extensive use of social media, search engine marketing and a new website, generationyonkers.com. The second phase of the campaign included television spots that ran on targeted channels. A dedicated CBS radio sponsorship was created specifically for the campaign, targeting business professionals and ran during the CBS opening bell report, gaining extensive exposure for Yonkers throughout the tri-state area. Since the initial launch 18 months ago, the Generation Yonkers campaign has generated nearly 5 million print impressions; 2.5 million online impressions; 35.8 million radio impressions; 2.3 millions TV impressions and more than 40,000 visits to the website.  For more information about Generation Yonkers, visit generationyonkers.com