Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

ICR

In the increasingly crowded and competitive corporate and financial ecosystem, it’s harder than ever for companies to break through the clutter and be heard. The media, investors, agenda-driven influencers, even customers and competitors, are defining your business story on their terms. Therefore, it is imperative that companies take control and proactively drive the conversation with stakeholders in an effort to build & maintain equity value. In Welcome to the Arena from ICR, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of ICR, Tom Ryan, interviews key business and financial players who influence the fate of public or aspiring public companies in the capital markets. As a former Wall Street Journal ranked sell-side equity analyst and the founder of one of the largest strategic communications firms in the world, Tom understands what it takes to navigate this complex environment. This is a forum for CEOs, CFOs, institutional investors, sell-side analysts, financial journalists, private equity professionals and other financial community participants to share their stories and give advice in an open and candid conversation. For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com

  1. 5d ago

    Josh Charlesworth, President and CEO, Krispy Kreme — Doughnuts to Dollars: An iconic American brand expands globally while staying true to its roots

    Krispy Kreme has built a global brand on the strength of their incredible doughnuts. But the brand has recently gone through some struggles, and they're turning it around by finding new ways to get their products to consumers. Josh Charlesworth is the President and CEO of Krispy Kreme, which trades under the symbol D-N-U-T. Josh has served as President and CEO since January of 2024, and he joined the company as CFO in May of 2017. He was also appointed COO in May of 2019, and global president in 2022.   Josh joins us to discuss Krispy Kreme's revamped business plan, including their approach to domestic expansion, and their strategy for capital-light international franchising.   Highlights: How Josh Joined Krispy Kreme: From Mars to Doughnuts (2:28)Krispy Kreme's 89-Year History (3:32) The Scale of the Business Today (4:38)The 2025 Turnaround: Why the Business Model Had to Change (6:29)Capital Light Strategy & the Hub-and-Spoke Model (9:02)US Expansion (10:16)International Growth: Brazil, Spain, France & Beyond (12:05)Surprising Markets & The Brand's Global Reach (13:27)Japan Case Study (14:30)Revenue vs. Profitability (16:22)Margin Improvements, Leverage Reduction & Outsourced Delivery (17:57)Preserving Quality while Franchising (20:57)Target, Costco, Walmart & Fresh Delivery Expansion (22:53)E-Commerce & Loyalty Membership (24:46)LTOs, Collaborations & Staying Culturally Relevant (26:27)GLP-1s & Changing Consumer Trends (29:07)Top Priorities for 2026–2027 (31:11)Josh's Favourite Krispy Kreme Doughnut (32:49)   Links: Josh Charlesworth LinkedIn Krispy Kreme LinkedIn Krispy Kreme Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    35 min
  2. Mark Goldston, Executive Chairman, The Beachbody Company — Heavy Lift: A renowned turnaround executive reinvigorates one of the world's foremost fitness brands (Re-broadcast)

    May 27

    Mark Goldston, Executive Chairman, The Beachbody Company — Heavy Lift: A renowned turnaround executive reinvigorates one of the world's foremost fitness brands (Re-broadcast)

    Today, we're revisiting a conversation from this years ICR conference, where we sat down with Mark Goldston, a respected turnaround executive, and the Executive Chairman of The Beachbody Company.  Summary: When a once-successful business falls on hard times, it can sometimes be hard for them to diagnose and fix the problem from within. Today's guest has built a career out of helping these businesses turn things around, and he's doing it again with one of America's premiere fitness brands. Mark Goldston is the Executive Chairman of The Beachbody Company, which trades under the symbol BODI. Mark is one of the world's most respected turnaround executives, and has spent his career reviving some of the best known brands in the world, including Revlon, Reebok, and LA Gear to name a few. He is also a prolific inventor with 135 US and foreign patents to his name.   Today, Mark walks us through the history of The Beachbody Company, the issues he identified within the business, and how he and his team are working to right the ship.    Highlights: Mark's Career (1:40)Symptoms of a struggling business (6:34)The Beachbody Company turnaround (10:12)Navigating a difficult retail environment (17:16)Brand Awareness (21:58)How GLP-1's are impacting the business (26:46)What are investors missing about Beachbody? (29:50)   Links: Mark Goldston LinkedIn The Beachbody Company LinkedIn The Beachbody Company Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

    34 min
  3. Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-Founder, Faherty Brand — Coast to Curb: A family-owned clothing brand blends beach-comfort with urban-style (Re-broadcast)

    May 20

    Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-Founder, Faherty Brand — Coast to Curb: A family-owned clothing brand blends beach-comfort with urban-style (Re-broadcast)

    As we work on some new episodes for you, please enjoy this past interview with Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-founder of the awesome family-owned clothing company, Faherty Brand. Summary: Alex and Mike Faherty built a clothing brand inspired by their origins as surfer kids on the Jersey shore, and their later years living in Manhattan. And even as the company has grown, they've always tried to stay true to that original vision, and the values that have made them a beloved brand for so many.   Alex Faherty is the co-founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, a family-owned lifestyle apparel company. Since its founding in 2013, he and his twin-brother have built a nine-figure omnichannel business, with nearly 80 stores, a large e-commerce presence, and a robust wholesale business with partners like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and numerous specialty stores across the country.   Alex joins us to discuss the origins of Faherty, their plans for international expansion, and how they plan on growing while remaining authentic to who they are.   Highlights: Faherty origins (1:46)Alex's PE Background (5:06)What is Faherty Brand? (7:21)Faherty Customers (8:51)Fashion Innovation (10:16)Embracing Wholesale (12:06)Faherty's Retail Strategy (14:01)Authenticity (16:35)Sustainability (18:34)Technology and AI (20:49)New Product Offerings (22:23)Competitive Landscape (24:58)10-year Vision for Faherty (26:34) Links: Alex Faherty LinkedIn Faherty Brand LinkedIn Faherty Brand Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    29 min
  4. Will Ulrich, Co-CEO, Presidio Petroleum — No Drilling Required: A soon-to-be public oil and gas company takes a unique approach to value creation (Re-broadcast)

    May 6

    Will Ulrich, Co-CEO, Presidio Petroleum — No Drilling Required: A soon-to-be public oil and gas company takes a unique approach to value creation (Re-broadcast)

    As we work on some new episodes for you, we'll be re-running some old favorites from the archive. Please enjoy this episode from back in February with Will Ulrich, the co-CEO of Presidio Petroleum.  Summary:For most companies in the oil industry, drilling new wells is a major part of their business strategy. Today, we're highlighting a firm that's taking a very different tack.   Will Ulrich has served as co-CEO of Presidio Petroleum alongside his partner Chris Hammack, since founding the company in 2017. Presidio's mission is to generate the oil industry's best return on capital by delivering the industry's lowest operating expenses, highest profitability and best emissions profile — all without doing any drilling.   Today, Will shares Presidio's unique approach to value creation, their upcoming plan to go public via business combination, and the reasons why they're optimistic for the future.   Highlights: Founding Presidio (1:57)Going Public (4:45)The end of the 'Capital Intensive Shale Era' (7:06)Institutional Backing (8:58)Dividend (10:46)Private Equity (13:58)Reducing Operating Costs (17:21)Field Incentive Plan (20:55)Stable Well Production (22:30)Hedging (23:42)CapEx (25:43)Acquisition Strategy (27:23)5-year Outlook (29:17) Links:   Will Ulrich LinkedIn Presidio LinkedIn Presidio Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

    31 min
  5. Apr 22

    John Melby, CEO, Xpansiv — Energy Registry: Operating the Global Infrastructure for the Renewable Energy Market

    For all the recent negative news surrounding renewable energy in the US, the reality is that in 2025, around 80% of the new power generation that came online globally was renewable.   But to encourage global players to participate in that market for renewables, you need a rigorous system of verification, and a stable modern marketplace. That's where today's company comes in. John Melby is the CEO of Xpansiv, the world's largest registry platform for renewable energy and carbon. John is an accomplished leader in energy and environmental markets, with over two decades of experience driving innovation in renewable carbon, natural gas, and power markets.   John joins us for an in-depth discussion on the current state of power generation, and how Xpansiv's platform is facilitating the growth of renewables.   Highlights: John's experience with energy markets (2:24)The opportunity for Xpansiv (3:44)Xpansiv's slate of services (5:05)Shifting energy consumption (6:22)Importance of registry infrastructure (9:05)Xpansiv's power business (11:39)Partnership with Constellation (13:56)Asia's role in the energy transition (15:25)Xpansiv's acquisition strategy (18:06)The evolving role of AI (20:48)Outlook for Renewables in the US (22:45)What's success for Xpansiv? (28:06) Links: John Melby LinkedIn Xpansiv LinkedIn Xpansiv Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co

    27 min
  6. John O'Donnell, Founder, Johnnie-O – Up to Par: An iconic golf clothing brand blends 'east coast prep' with 'west coast cool' (Re-broadcast)

    Apr 15

    John O'Donnell, Founder, Johnnie-O – Up to Par: An iconic golf clothing brand blends 'east coast prep' with 'west coast cool' (Re-broadcast)

    As we continue working on some new episodes for you, enjoy this look back at our episode from September with John O'Donnell, the visionary founder behind the clothing brand, Johnnie-O. Summary: When John O'Donnell founded Johnnie-O in 2005, his goal was to create a brand that combined East Coast prep with West Coast surf culture. 20 years later, you'll find their surfer logo in golf pro-shops and menswear stores across the country. Today, John joins us to share his incredible journey from being a walk-on on the UCLA golf team to founding one of America's most iconic golf brands. We get into the origins of Johnnie-O, discuss the source of their customer loyalty, and talk about their impressive growth over the last two decades. Highlights: The opportunity John saw in 2005 (2:05)John's midwest roots (4:46)UCLA Golf team (5:50)Johnnie-O's differentiation (6:45)The origins of Johnnie-O (8:17)Distribution (9:28)Inflection point for the brand (10:28)Marketing evolution (11:37)Scale of growth (13:57)Breaking into women's wear (16:30)Avenues for growth (17:35)Tariffs (18:30)Outlook for Johnnie-O (20:27)Competitive Landscape (22:15)Lessons learned (23:13)   Links: Johnnie-O LinkedIn Johnnie-O Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website   Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

    26 min
  7. Demond Martin, CEO and Co-Founder, WellWithAll – Inclusive Capitalism: Building a business that empowers communities (Re-broadcast)

    Apr 8

    Demond Martin, CEO and Co-Founder, WellWithAll – Inclusive Capitalism: Building a business that empowers communities (Re-broadcast)

    As we take a brief hiatus from releasing new episodes, we wanted to revisit Tom's conversation with WellWithAll CEO and Co-Founder, Demond Martin, from back in December. Demond has an incredible story, and he's built a powerhouse of a company while going to great lengths to lift up his community. Enjoy!     Show Notes: In this country, health outcomes are too often dictated by your ZIP code, but one company is working very hard to fix those inequities. Demond Martin, is the CEO and co-founder of WellWithAll, a health and wellness company dedicated to advancing health equity for underserved communities. Operating under ‘inclusive capitalism’, WellWithAll reinvests 20% of its profits into health initiatives tailored to specific community needs, tackling health disparities, and ensuring a targeted approach to wellness. Before WellWithAll, Demond was a senior partner at Adage Capital Management, where he invested in the consumer sector for 21 years. Earlier in his career, he served in the Clinton administration, and he has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Berkeley College of Music, The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Obama Foundation.   Today, we get into what WellWithAll does, how they're giving back to the community, and Demond's journey from a trailer in North Carolina to CEO of this incredible company. Highlights: Demond's background (2:21)Stories from the White House (3:50)Working at a hedge fund (5:58)Lessons about investing (8:32)The origins of WellWithAll (11:42)Health inequities (13:54)How WellWithAll has evolved (15:08)Getting in with large retailers (17:08)Sources of funding (18:57)The Obama Foundation (20:19)A career in politics? (21:00)Demond's mentors (22:14)27th ICR Conference (24:04)) Links: Demond Martin LinkedIn WellWithAll LinkedIn WellWithAll Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback: If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

    26 min
5
out of 5
83 Ratings

About

In the increasingly crowded and competitive corporate and financial ecosystem, it’s harder than ever for companies to break through the clutter and be heard. The media, investors, agenda-driven influencers, even customers and competitors, are defining your business story on their terms. Therefore, it is imperative that companies take control and proactively drive the conversation with stakeholders in an effort to build & maintain equity value. In Welcome to the Arena from ICR, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of ICR, Tom Ryan, interviews key business and financial players who influence the fate of public or aspiring public companies in the capital markets. As a former Wall Street Journal ranked sell-side equity analyst and the founder of one of the largest strategic communications firms in the world, Tom understands what it takes to navigate this complex environment. This is a forum for CEOs, CFOs, institutional investors, sell-side analysts, financial journalists, private equity professionals and other financial community participants to share their stories and give advice in an open and candid conversation. For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com

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