# Jay Deutsch

> Jay Deutsch is the co-founder and CEO of BDA, a Woodinville-based merchandise agency he started with childhood friend Eric Bensussen in 1984, when both were teenagers selling football sweatshirts. Four decades later, Deutsch leads a global branded-merchandise business, sits in the Seattle Kraken ownership group and executive committee, and remains focused on the small physical objects that turn spectators into fans and customers into communities.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at BDA
- **Organizations:** BDA, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Hockey Partners, Seattle Seawolves, YPO
- **Known for:** Built BDA from a high-school venture into a global merchandise agency with more than 1,400 associates and 50 offices, according to BDA’s current leadership biography., Joined the Seattle Kraken ownership group and executive committee and contributed merchandise and branding expertise to the franchise launch., Reached No. 10 on Counselor’s Power 50 in 2024 and again in 2025 after 18 prior appearances on the list.

## Career timeline

- **1984** — Co-founded Bensussen Deutsch & Associates with childhood friend Eric Bensussen after the pair began selling football sweatshirts as high-school students.
- **2002** — Began a publicly listed affiliation with YPO as a member of its global leadership community.
- **2017** — Became an investor in the Seattle Seawolves rugby organization, according to public professional profiles.
- **2018** — Joined the Seattle NHL ownership group and attended the league vote approving Seattle’s expansion franchise.
- **2021** — The Seattle Kraken began NHL play; BDA managed team merchandise and retail operations after winning the work in a competitive process.
- **2024** — BDA marked 40 years, acquired The Great Branding Company, and Deutsch reached No. 10 on Counselor’s Power 50.
- **2025** — BDA acquired Harper + Scott; Deutsch described the deal as a cultural and creative fit supported by BDA’s global infrastructure.
- **2026** — BDA launched a refreshed brand identity and website, with Deutsch reaffirming the company’s focus on building brand affinity through merchandise.

## Achievements

- Built BDA from a high-school venture into a global merchandise agency with more than 1,400 associates and 50 offices, according to BDA’s current leadership biography.
- Joined the Seattle Kraken ownership group and executive committee and contributed merchandise and branding expertise to the franchise launch.
- Reached No. 10 on Counselor’s Power 50 in 2024 and again in 2025 after 18 prior appearances on the list.
- Led BDA’s international expansion and acquisitions including The Great Branding Company, SwagUp and Harper + Scott.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — BDA unveiled a refreshed brand identity and redesigned website; Deutsch said the update represented the company’s long-running commitment to partners and brand affinity.
- **2025-10** — Deutsch ranked No. 10 on Counselor’s 2025 Power 50 alongside newly listed Harper + Scott leaders Michael Scott Cohen and Jon Alagem.
- **2025-09** — BDA acquired Harper + Scott, expanding its creative capabilities and New York presence.
- **2024-11** — In an eppi magazine interview marking BDA’s 40th year, Deutsch discussed European growth, sports merchandise and the Kraken brand.

## Links

- Website: https://www.bdainc.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaydeutsch
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/bdainc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/BDAinc/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jay-deutsch
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26