Strategy October 24, 2023
Counselor Power 50 2023
The promo industry is evolving – and these are the leaders and forward-thinkers driving the change.
Decades into its existence, the promotional products industry remains fundamentally the same. And yet, it’s constantly evolving, with a multitude of exciting developments currently from product innovation to data integration to sustainability and beyond. It takes a group of dynamic leaders who can seize on these major shifts and position their companies – and the industry as a whole – on the cutting edge.
That’s the Counselor Power 50. These are the executives, entrepreneurs and visionaries whose decisions are pushing the industry into the future.
How is the Power 50 put together? First, we survey last year’s members and the promo industry at large to determine whose influence is rising and falling. We also put out a call for nominations of potential new members. We then research each candidate and examine their career accomplishments and achievements in the past year. Our efforts have yielded a list with 10 first-timers (many of whom are featured in our Spotlight Profiles) as well as four executives making their return after an extended absence – all part of a star-studded group that continue to move the needle.
Click on the names below to read more about each Power 50 honoree.
Counselor Power 50
2023 rank | Name/Company | 2022 rank | Rank change | Previous times on Power 50 |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kevin Lyons-Tarr & Suzanne Worwood 4imprint (asi/197045) |
11 | 10 | 17 & 4 |
2 | CJ Schmidt Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) |
6 | 4 | 13 |
3 | Jeremy Lott SanMar (asi/84863) |
1 | 2 | 10 |
4 | Marc Simon HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000) |
3 | 1 | 17 |
5 | Jo-an Lantz Geiger (asi/202900) |
2 | 3 | 17 |
6 | Greg Muzzillo & Vera Muzzillo Proforma (asi/300094) |
5 | 1 | 17 |
7 | Chris Anderson HPG (asi/61966) |
9 | 2 | 4 |
8 | Dan Pantano alphabroder (asi/34063) |
8 | SAME | 2 |
9 | Larry Zavadil & Justin Zavadil American Solutions for Business (asi/120075) |
7 | 2 | 17 & 9 |
10 | Jonathan Isaacson & Frank Carpenito Gemline (asi/56070) |
4 | 6 & N/A | 17 & 0 |
11 | John Bruellman & Kevin Walsh Showdown Displays (asi/87188) |
14 | 3 | 3 |
12 | Jay Deutsch BDA (asi/137616) |
23 | 11 | 17 |
13 | Craig Nadel & Debbie Abergel Nadel (asi/279600) |
16 | 3 | 11 & 6 |
14 | Sai Koppaka & Alan Tabasky BEL USA LLC |
10 | 4 | 7 & 9 |
15 | Ross Silverstein iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) |
15 | SAME | 17 |
16 | Norm Hullinger & Megan Spire BELLA+CANVAS (asi/39590) |
21 | N/A & 5 | 8 & 1 |
17 | Lance Stier & David Miller NC Custom (asi/44900) |
20 | 3 | 5 |
18 | Brandon Mackay & Brittany David SnugZ USA (asi/88060) |
24 | 6 | 12 & 5 |
19 | Mark Freed & Mitch Freed Genumark (asi/204588) |
25 | 6 | 6 & 1 |
20 | Trevor Gnesin Logomark (asi/67866) |
26 | 6 | 17 |
21 | Jake Himelstein BAMKO (asi/131431) |
18 | 3 | 1 |
22 | Ira Neaman Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) |
19 | 3 | 17 |
23 | Nancy Schmidt AIA Corp. (asi/109480) |
22 | 1 | 3 |
24 | Andy Shape Stran & Company (asi/337725) |
45 | 21 | 1 |
25 | Carleen Gray GroupeSTAHL |
33 | 8 | 5 |
26 | Frank Myers S&S Activewear (asi/84358) |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
27 | Bill Korowitz The Magnet Group (asi/68507) |
28 | 1 | 15 |
28 | Pierre Montaubin & Melissa Ralston Koozie Group (asi/40480) |
29 | 1 | 0 & 2 |
29 | Jo Gilley Overture Promotions (asi/288473) |
31 | 2 | 4 |
30 | Marc Katz Custom Ink (asi/173232) |
39 | 9 | 5 |
31 | Chris Vernon & Lisa Hubbard The Vernon Company (asi/351700) |
37 | 6 | 17 & 1 |
32 | Nikki Stella AIM Smarter (asi/522700) |
36 | 4 | 3 |
33 | Memo Kahan PromoShop (asi/300446) |
38 | 5 | 6 |
34 | Chris Lee The Pebble Group |
N/A | N/A | 4 |
35 | Daron Hines Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601) |
43 | 8 | 1 |
36 | Neil Ringel PCNA (asi/66887) |
34 | 2 | 2 |
37 | Susan Drenning Taylor Corporation |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
38 | Derek Block Touchstone (asi/345631) |
35 | 3 | 7 |
39 | Ray Titus & Andrew Titus Fully Promoted (asi/384000) |
N/A | N/A | 7 & 0 |
40 | Tamara Borello ePromos Promotional Products (asi/188515) |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
41 | Kurt Kaeser & Liza Sachs Kaeser & Blair (asi/238600) |
44 | 3 | 17 & 1 |
42 | Dale Denham PPAI |
48 | 6 | 2 |
43 | Michael Scott Cohen & Jon Alagem Harper + Scott (asi/220052) |
50 | 7 | 1 |
44 | Mark Graham & Catherine Graham commonsku |
47 | 3 | 6 |
45 | David Schneiderman & Todd Schneiderman Something Inked (asi/329822) |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
46 | Tracey Barton Deluxe/Safeguard (asi/178720/316203) |
41 | 5 | 5 |
47 | Kenny Ved Goldstar (asi/73295) |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
48 | Catherine Monson Propelled Brands |
46 | 2 | 4 |
49 | Ben Grossman Grossman Marketing Group (asi/215205)/SwagCycle |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
50 | Jeff Lederer Myron (asi/278980) |
N/A | N/A | 11 |
N/A=not applicable, new to list
Spotlight Profiles
Kevin Lyons-Tarr & Suzanne Worwood
4imprint (asi/197045)
S&S Activewear (asi/84358)
Taylor Corporation
Fully Promoted (asi/384000)
ePromos Promotional Products (asi/188515)
David Schneiderman & Todd Schneiderman
Something Inked (asi/329822)
Goldstar (asi/73295)
Grossman Marketing Group (asi/215205)/SwagCycle