#47 Kenny Ved

Goldstar (asi/73295) – Director of Global Sales

2022 Rank: NR

Industry Experience: 24 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 0

“I absolutely love the people of promo because we’re all just a little bit off, just a little bit wacky.”

It might seem odd to hear that statement from someone overseeing the sales of a nearly $70 million company. But then again, maybe you haven’t met Kenny Ved.

Though an older sibling himself, Ved comes off as the kid brother of the promo industry – the one with an air of mischief, an unbridled sense of fun and an ability to instantly win anyone over. “You’ll never forget the day you met Kenny Ved, whether at a show, event or on a Zoom call,” says Charles Duggan, vice president of sales, North America for Top 40 supplier Goldstar (asi/73295) and one half of the “Simplicity Brothers,” as he and Ved are famously known as in the industry. “He’s full of energy and enthusiasm with a unique ability to connect with everyone on a professional and personal level.”

As Ved states, his long career in promo and at Goldstar was, like many others in this industry, an “accident.” It was over 25 years ago that he joined Belding Sports and subsequently moved into the company’s promo division. A few years later he ended up at Goldstar through a group of multi-line reps that carried both the supplier and Belding. Jazzed on the creativity and endless opportunity of the industry, he’s felt right at home in promo ever since.

“The one thing that I really love is that there’s no one left behind,” he says about the industry. “Everyone comes up together in this journey of promo. Doesn’t matter where you are – supplier, distributor, service provider. I’ve just seen so many people around me grow, within our organization and outside our organization.”

“Kenny is one-of a-kind: passionate, intelligent, focused and responsive. Not many people can lighten up a room or booth like Kenny.” Debbie Abergel, Nadel (asi/279600)

And certainly Ved can be included in that sentiment. Two years ago he was named to the newly-created role of director of global sales for Goldstar – a change that has him traveling across Europe for long stretches three to four times a year. (Goldstar has a global footprint and is owned by Top 40 distributor Cimpress (asi/162149), which is headquartered in Ireland.) There’s been a learning curve to understanding the European market and a cultural and language barrier to overcome at times. But Ved has thrown himself into the role – re-energizing the company’s European sales team, educating international clients on the U.S. market and serving as a true global ambassador for the promo industry. “When I get in front of the customers and I share what we’re doing in North America,” says Ved, “they’re just itching to learn what we’re doing here, because they think we’re doing everything right.”

It might be hard to argue with that. Goldstar made the Counselor Top 40 list for the first time this year after recording a nearly 75% revenue increase in 2022. The supplier has successfully branched out into drinkware and bags and launched a new website this year that consolidates its presence on a single domain. Ved acknowledges sales have been softer this year and the company isn’t scaling as aggressively. Still, Goldstar’s ascension is immensely satisfying to Ved, who readily gives credit to Duggan, Director of Global Marketing RJ Hagel and Global General Manager Howard Cubberly, among others.

“Kenny is one-of a-kind: passionate, intelligent, focused and responsive,” says Debbie Abergel, chief strategy officer for Top 40 distributor Nadel (asi/279600) and also a Power 50 member. “Not many people can lighten up a room or booth like Kenny. When we have deep business discussions, Kenny tackles them with ease and confidence and gives us the feeling that we’re in good hands. I never have to worry about the level of service – I just know Kenny delivers for us.”

When he’s not traveling internationally, the San Franciso native (who was born in India and emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 2) can be found going on hikes with Joy, his “partner in crime” for 11 years, or cooking with his family. “Food is the common denominator in our household,” he says. And for his job, the common denominator is something else.

“My integrity is everything,” Ved says. “I just try to do right by people. It’s very easy to do good.”