When troubles come, some buckle and hide. Others step up to face the challenge.

Jonathan Isaacson falls firmly in the latter category, and it’s the reason he’s Counselor’s 2021 Person of the Year.

During the darkest days of COVID-19, the CEO/Chairman of Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070), already a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people, turned in a leadership performance for his company, the industry and his community that was virtually without peer in the promotional products space.

In this discussion, ASI Media Digital News Director Christopher Ruvo talks with Isaacson about his efforts and achievements. It’s a story of perseverance, adaptability, moral courage, commitment, entrepreneurial dexterity and more that you won’t want to miss.

Podcast Chapters (only available on desktop)
1:28: COVID comes into view and the jump into PPE
7:35: A series of pivots for success
13:26: A value-driven approach and commitment to community
19:57: Industry education
25:00: Driving business with new brand partnerships
27:51: Predictions for promo

As the conversation reveals, Isaacson spearheaded Gemline’s remarkable pivot to being an industry leader in personal protective equipment, helping put products into the hands of people who desperately needed them, while also saving countless distributors as traditional sales evaporated.

Furthermore, Jonathan was at the heart of deeply impactful public health initiatives, from guiding local taskforces to getting vaccines to people in his community. He also took a key role promoting industry education aimed at combatting COVID, all while helping forge new brand partnerships that brought sought-after products to the promo market.

Watch on YouTube