October 15, 2024
Counselor Power 50 2024: No. 25 Andy Shape, Stran Promotional Solutions
Welcome to the 2024 Counselor Power 50 list, which ranks the most influential people in the industry.
#25 Andy Shape
Stran Promotional Solutions (asi/337725) – President/CEO
2023 Rank: #24
Industry Experience: 29 Years
Previous Appearances on Power 50: 2
Andy Shape has been on a mission to build Counselor Top 40 distributor Stran Promotional Solutions into a nine-figure powerhouse.
While Shape has been in promo for nearly 30 years, the Stran CEO burst into the industry’s collective consciousness after taking Stran public, listing on the NASDAQ in late 2021. Between then and the end of 2023, Stran increased annual revenue nearly 75%, reaching $82.1 million last year.
The distributor’s stock price hasn’t done well (trading over $1 and down roughly 80% since its IPO price three years ago), but the sales gains have continued in 2024, catalyzed by a handful of strategic acquisitions since going public and organic growth propelled by factors that include deeper penetration of current clients and sizeable contract wins.
Shape, the Counselor 2023 Person of the Year, notched another headline-grabbing acquisition in August when Stran purchased the assets of Gander Group, a California-based provider of casino continuity and loyalty programs that generated more than $34 million in 2023 revenue. Stran made the acquisition through a newly formed subsidiary, Stran Loyalty Solutions, a just-formed company division focused on the casino and entertainment verticals. Shape says the move should put the Quincy, MA-headquartered company above the $100 million goal in revenue once the final tally for 2024 is in.
“I’m proud of how we as a company have broadened our market presence and delivered even greater value to our clients,” says Shape. “We’ve navigated the challenges brought by global disruptions, maintaining strong growth while reinforcing our commitment to innovation and client satisfaction. We’re excited about what’s ahead.”