TSC (PPAI 134317, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 46 distributor, has announced the acquisition of Kreative Marketing Kompany (KMK), a branded merch distributor based out of Solon, Ohio. The acquisition gives TSC, which is headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, its first foothold in the Cleveland area and broader Northeast Ohio market.

“What makes KMK so special starts with the people,” says Sam Riden, CEO of TSC. “Over the last 20 years, [Founder Barry Jacobson] has built a team that genuinely cares about their clients and each other. Client relationships that last a decade or more don’t happen by accident. They happen because people consistently show up, serve well, and earn trust over time.

What makes KMK so special starts with the people.”

Sam Riden

CEO, TSC

Jacobson founded KMK twenty years ago, and in that time personal relationships have been the heart of the company’s success. Passing that success on through an acquisition was only something that could happen with the right partner.

“I could not be more proud of what the KMK family has accomplished over the past two decades,” says Jacobson. “Our success has been built by a dedicated team of passionate, creative professionals who care deeply about their work and the exceptional clients we have had the privilege to serve. Joining forces with the TSC family feels like a natural next chapter. We share a commitment to excellence, a thoughtful approach to serving our clients, and a genuine belief in making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

Joining forces with the TSC family feels like a natural next chapter.”

Barry Jacobson

Founder, Kreative Marketing Kompany

“Those shared values make this partnership an exciting opportunity for everyone involved. We are incredibly grateful to our employees, clients, and partners who have been part of the KMK journey. Together with TSC, we look forward to building on that foundation, creating new opportunities, and continuing to grow something truly special for years to come.”

  • Jacobson’s new title will be director of sales, leading the Solon-based team.
  • The 16 employees of KMK will be absorbed by TSC’s national team.


Continued Growth For TCS

TSC, otherwise known as The Specialty Company, received a High Mark for Growth by PPAI 100 and, it showed in the firm’s placement. Unranked in 2024, TSC debuted at 79 in 2025 and jumped all the way to No. 46 in 2026.

That growth is reflected in the company’s recent expansion. TSC has acquired six companies in the past six years. Those acquisitions include:

  • Kreative Marketing Kompany, Solon, OH (July 31, 2026)
  • Promotional Alliance, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (October 2024)
  • Perfect Promotions & More, Apex, NC (February 2024)
  • MPGTandem, St. Louis, MO (December 2022)
  • Lasting Image Promotional Products, Sinking Springs, PA (April 2021)
  • Ice Blue Advertising, Katy, TX (December 2020)


The distributor now runs offices operating out of Mississippi, Ohio, Minnesota and Texas.