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“My first job in the industry
was at BAMKO. We started sell-
ing pens and t-shirts out of
Brett’s dorm room,” says Koosed.
“It’s fair to say that I literally
grew up in the industry. And
when I take a moment to reflect
back on where we started and
what BAMKO has become … I
can’t wait to see where the next
15 years take us.”
BAMKO today operates
offices around the world, though
Koosed continues to call his
native Los Angeles home.
Surrounded by extended family
and supported by his wife,
Tamar—“she’s far smarter and
tougher than I am, and I learn
from her every day”—Koosed
says he enjoys nothing more
than spending time with family,
including their young son, Asher
(and a new addition coming
soon). “I am incredibly fortunate
to have a large and wonderful
family that I am very close to,”
he says.
In the office, Koosed remains
focused on developing the talent
that breathes life into BAMKO
as well as looking for ways to
continuously innovate. Read on
for a glimpse into how he works
with his team to make BAMKO
a valuable part of the industry.
MORE THAN 15 YEARS AFTER Philip Koosed and Brett Marz first
brought promotional products to fellow college students, the two founders of
Los Angeles-based distributor BAMKO Promotional Items (UPIC:
BAMKO783) are bringing industry knowledge and expertise to their partner-
ship with Florida-based Superior Uniform Group. In March, BAMKO was
acquired by the publicly traded distributor in a $15.8 million cash deal. For
Koosed, president of BAMKO, the journey from his first days as a distributor to
the present has been humbling and exhilarating.
78 •
PPB
• MAY 2016
CONNECT
DAY IN
THE LIFE
PHILIP KOOSED HELPS LEAD THE TEAM AT BAMKO PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
IN A NEW ERA OF COLLABORATION
By Jen Alexander
Working At A
World-Class Level
Philip Koosed