#21 Jake Himelstein

BAMKO (asi/131431) – President

2022 Rank: #18

Industry Experience: 10 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 1

BAMKO has been one of promo’s big up-and-comers over the last five years, debuting on Counselor’s Top 40 distributor list in 2018 and continuing to grow since. Jake Himelstein was an essential behind-the-scenes figure in the Los Angeles-based distributor’s rapid growth and rising profile in the merch space, serving as chief financial officer and chief operating officer. He stepped into the spotlight in the summer of 2021, becoming BAMKO’s president after co-founder/former president Phil Koosed moved into a new role with parent firm Superior Group of Companies. With Himelstein at the helm, BAMKO powered its way into the top 10 of Counselor’s Top 40 for the first time, placing 8^th in 2023 thanks to an 80% rise in North American promo revenue in 2022. Himelstein, who made his Power 50 debut last year, slides three spots on this year’s list in part due to a bumpy start for BAMKO in the first half of this year. Still, the company remains one of promo’s highest-profile firms – one in which both Himelstein and the distributorship aim to elevate how the market operates in terms of service, technology, creativity and culture.