There was a time when Jon Alagem couldn’t fathom selling imprinted products for a living.

He was way more interested in tech. About 10 years ago, the Californian was living in New York City after attending NYU’s business school and had founded Trendabl, a social network for the fashion industry. He was looking for his next venture when he met Michael Scott Cohen through their respective wives, who happen to be long-time friends. When Cohen (a Charleston, SC, native also living in the Big Apple) told Alagem of his work in the promotional products space, Alagem thought it sounded, well, boring.

But after speaking with Cohen at length, Alagem took note. “It was branded merch versus brand-new tech,” he says. “But then I realized that we could take an industry that’s been around forever and make it better. Every company buys promo products – there are endless opportunities.”

The pair decided to go into business together and launched Harper + Scott (asi/220052) in 2014 (the name combines the middle names of Cohen and his wife). They used desks at communal WeWork offices at first, before moving into their own space at 21st and Broadway in Manhattan. Now, they have a hybrid work format with high-performing creatives and sales reps (including Peter McCutcheon, the senior vice president of sales & revenue strategy as well as ASI Media’s Salesperson of the Year in 2022).

“We realized there are thousands of companies in this space, and they’re making good money,” says Cohen. “The industry was doing well. We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, just create a new mousetrap.”

At $34 million in annual sales, the distributor has major clients in industries like quick-service restaurants, technology, beauty and spirits. Top projects have included a collaboration with Popeyes and Megan Thee Stallion to promote the restaurant chain’s hot sauce; the campaign included merch drops (with a useable fire extinguisher), a website and an influencer mailer. And recently, they landed their dream project – launching/managing the Chick-fil-A merchandise store. “We’ve been trying to work with them since we started,” says Cohen. “We stuck with it. They’re a great client to work for and we got feedback every year on how to improve before they said yes.”

Harper + Scott team members celebrate the grand opening of the company’s office in NYC’s Flatiron District.

In addition to providing branded merchandise for discerning clients, the duo – who made their first appearance on the Counselor Power 50 list last year – have made a point of being on the front lines of everything from the metaverse to sustainability to AI. Their actions match their big ambitions.

“We’ve barely scratched the surface,” says Alagem. “We have a great client base and great leadership – that’s been crucial to our growth. We continue to grow with all core values and build on things from a responsible point of view. We’re a top creative force in this industry, and we help clients set themselves apart. We can compete for any RFP. We’ll continue to grow in a smart and strategic way and be an elite company in our space.”

“The industry was doing well. We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, just create a new mousetrap.” – Michael Scott Cohen, Harper + Scott

Customer Sarah Waldman, head of experiential at Spotify, has known both Alagem and Cohen for about 10 years, since the early days of the company. “They’ve continued to solidify themselves as the best there is,” she says. “Their unwavering support for their team is as strong as their dedication to their clients. It’s rare to feel as passionate about a partner as we do about H+S.”

Bill Brand, most recently the CEO of retailer rue21, is the past senior vice president and chief retail officer at Carnival Corp., which operates Carnival Cruise Line. “I had a new role overseeing retail in the travel space and I needed to make an impact,” he says. “A CEO I respect recommended Jon and Michael. It was one of the best professional decisions I’ve ever made. They bring a focused and strategic approach, and they’re open and approachable throughout the creative process. Their passion for building brands has set them up for a strong future. Partnering with them has been professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling.”