C & D Advertising, a full-service integrated marketing agency in Rome, NY is celebrating 25 years in business. In 1997, Barry Damsky and George Carpenter met when Damsky worked for an advertising agency and Carpenter was the General Sales Manager of a group of Central New York radio stations. During the meeting, the decision was made to pursue an advertising agency startup and three months later, in July 1997 the two started Carpenter & Damsky Advertising.
In the interest of keeping overhead down the agency was started in the Carpenter’s home, a temporary arrangement that lasted ten years. Since then, the firm was located on Genesee Street, Utica, and in 2021 the offices moved to 103 West Court Street in the Art District in Rome, New York.
Motivated by a change in ownership when Damsky retired, the name of the company was changed in 2012 to C & D Advertising. Simultaneously, Jennifer Beach Brillante joined the firm as an Account Manager. From the beginning of their business relationship, Carpenter and Brillante shared a desire to grow the Agency and planned that Brillante would become the owner of the company. In January 2021, Brillante became majority owner of C & D Advertising. “I am thrilled to have the business I helped start 25 years ago in Jennifer’s very capable hands,” said Carpenter. “I am confident that our business culture will thrive.”
The business now employs 14 people and occupies a newly renovated building in downtown Rome. “I grew up in Rome and I believe a business should benefit the community it’s located in. Our business operates with that philanthropic philosophy,” Brillante said.
The Agency has worked with many clients over the past 25 years throughout Central New York including Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Symeon’s Greek Restaurant, Clinton Tractor, Buy Madison County, Gates-Cole Insurance, Oneida County Tourism, Edible Arrangements and many more. C & D provides comprehensive advertising and marketing solutions through dynamic business strategy planning, media buying, social media, and cutting-edge video & graphic design.