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

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

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 & CEO 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. 1 DAY AGO

    Jeff "Trip" Tripician, CEO, Meatable – A Shared Plate: Shaping a sustainable future for the meat industry through partnership

    Summary:    In some industries, new players try to shake things up by breaking them down. But in sectors like food, where traditions run deep and habits are hard to change, collaboration can be a far more palatable strategy and can be leveraged to create scalable, sustainable solutions. Today's guest is doing just that, using decades of industry expertise to partner with key players, tackle global challenges, and redefine what’s possible for the future of food.   Jeff "Trip" Tripician is the CEO of Meatable, a Dutch biotech company dedicated to the development of cultivated meat products. Trip is an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in the organic and natural meat industry in the U.S.    He most recently served as CEO of Grass Fed Foods and, prior to that, as President of Perdue Premium Meat Company. Trip also brings extensive experience across the U.S. meat market with deep expertise in the U.S. supply chain, marketing of sustainable meat products, fundraising, and M&A. In fact, at Grass Fed Foods, Trip orchestrated a successful merger between Teton Waters Ranch and SunFed Ranch, which positioned the company as the foremost regeneratively focused grass-fed beef platform in the U.S. During his time at Perdue Premium Meat Company, he spearheaded the company's growth and premium meat brands, such as Niman Ranch and Coleman Natural, among others. Notably, he oversaw the acquisition and integration of Panorama Organic Grass-fed Meats and Alexander & Hornung.   In this episode, Trip shares how his background in the traditional meat industry shaped his work at Meatable. We dive into the cultivated meat-making process and the nuances of producing different cuts and types of meat. Trip also discusses the challenges the industry is facing, from scaling production and licensing to food security and navigating regulatory hurdles.   Highlights: Trip's history in the meat industry and journey into cultivated meat (3:34)Trip describes what drew him to his role at Meatable (4:51)Population growth and the increasing global demand for meat (6:40)How investor mindset in cultivated meat has changed over time (7:49)The science behind cultivating different cuts of meat (9:53)Current cultivated meat projects and innovations at Meatable (12:04)Meatable's business model and how it has evolved (14:26)Public reception to cultivated meat and industry hurdles (17:57)Trip describes the value of spreading awareness and education about cultivated meat (22:39)Future scalability and current field economics (25:16)Links:Jeff Tripician on LinkedIn Meatable on LinkedIn Meatable 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    32 min
  2. FEB 5

    Chuck Davis, Chairman & CEO, Prodege – Data Done Differently: Building a consumer insights platform that thrives through change

    Summary:    When it comes to running a business, data insights are invaluable, but that data has to come with meaningful action. You need to be willing to evolve alongside your customers and constantly refine your approach to meet their needs. Today’s guest has mastered this balance, building a platform that drives engagement, growth, and innovation at scale.    Today, we're sitting down with Chuck Davis, Chairman and CEO of Prodege. Chuck's business journey began by creating a sports newsletter in middle school that caught the attention of NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. He went on to earn degrees from Brown University and then Harvard Business School. Afterward, he embarked on a career that would shape the digital landscape. Chuck started in publishing, working for Time, Inc. and TV Guide before becoming the Walt Disney Company's first President of E-Commerce in 1996, where he launched pivotal online platforms like Disneystore.com and ESPNstore.com.    Chuck's career progressed as he led Shopzilla, formerly known as Bizrate.com, through its acquisition in 2005 and transformed Fandango into a leading entertainment website. For the last 10 years, he has built Prodege into a cutting-edge marketing and consumer insights platform.    In this episode, Chuck explores how adaptability and customer focus have shaped Prodege’s success, from harnessing gamification to leveraging AI for innovation. He also shares his approach to leading through change and building a company culture that drives lasting impact.   Highlights: Chuck remembers the early days of the internet and the digitalization of brands (3:18)Prodege's background, and what makes their platform unique (6:54)Prodege's approach to data privacy (11:07)Chuck's strategy for navigating business cycles and economic fluctuation (12:17)Chuck describes Prodege's current platform features and how the site has evolved (14:56)How Prodege adapts alongside changing data regulations (16:30)How Prodege maintains quality in their consumer insights (19:36)Chuck discusses how Prodege is incorporating AI into their platform internally and externally (21:07)Current innovations and plans for the future of the platform (23:30)Growth and acquisition opportunities (25:43)How Prodege maintains company culture amid acquisitions and expansion (27:33) Links:Chuck Davis on LinkedIn Prodege on LinkedIn Prodege 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    33 min
  3. JAN 29

    Jay Jackson, Chairman & CEO, Abacus Life – Life by the Numbers: Turning life insurance policies into powerful financial tools

    Summary:    Innovation often starts with asking tough questions, like: What if the systems we’ve always relied on aren’t equipped to handle today's complexities? By leveraging data and challenging outdated assumptions, new possibilities are arising in unexpected industries.   Today, we're sitting down with Jay Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Abacus Life, which trades under the symbol ABL. Jay joined Abacus Settlements in 2016 as President and Chief Executive Officer and has also served as CEO of Longevity Market Assets since June 2019.    He serves as a current member of the Orlando Mayor's Committee on Livability and as an Executive Board Member for the Senior Resource Alliance, an agency of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Jay began his career at Franklin Templeton Investments, and prior to joining Abacus, he co-founded and managed the Fayerweather Street Life Fund, as well as the Cambridge Life Management origination platform for FDO Partners, a three billion quantitative investment firm founded by Harvard Business School professor Ken Froot.   With over 20 years of experience in the financial services and life settlement industry, Jay is not only a pioneer in the life settlement and longevity industry but has also formed multiple verticals within that umbrella.    In this episode, we explore how Jay Jackson and Abacus Life are transforming life insurance into a powerful financial empowerment tool, offering policyholders and their loved ones newfound flexibility. He'll also tell us how Abacus is leveraging data to unlock hidden value and drive innovation across the longevity market.   Highlights: Abacus' background and mission (3:05)The total addressable market for Abacus in life insurance (4:14)Market competition and key business differentiators (6:10)Abacus' target audience and customer profiles (8:12)Abacus Life's business model and how it has evolved (9:49)Jay describes Abacus' technology platform and the value of data collection (12:11)How data insights will unlock opportunities for innovation and efficiency in the field (16:03)How life insurance policies will change if human lifespans increase (17:50)Jay describes the benefits of taking Abacus public (21:19)The senior team at Abacus Life (23:24)Future goals at Abacus and balancing growth with M&A (25:44)  Links:Jay Jackson LinkedIn Abacus Life on LinkedIn Abacus Life Website Book: Pursuing Wealthspan: How Science is Revolutionizing Wealth Management 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    30 min
  4. JAN 22

    Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman, Investcorp — Scaling New Heights: Empowering Teams to Achieve Global Success

    Summary:    In business, leadership isn’t just about taking charge — it’s about enabling others to thrive. As companies grow and stakes rise, fostering trust and collaboration becomes essential. Today’s guest has embraced a leadership style rooted in empowerment, driving innovation, and turning ambitious visions into tangible success.   Today we're sitting down with Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, a leading global manager of alternative investments. Under his leadership, Investcorp has grown its assets under management from 10 billion to 53 billion in just nine years, all while diversifying and expanding its global footprint.   Mohammed leads the firm's activities across its global network in New York, London, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Mumbai, Delhi, Beijing, Singapore, and Japan. He is a retired Air Vice Marshal and was the youngest and longest-serving Chief of the Omani Air Force, having joined the Royal Air Force of Oman in 1978.   In addition to his role at Investcorp, Mohammed also serves as Chairman of the Muscat Stock Exchange. He sits on several boards, including the International Advisory Board of the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., the Eisenhower Fellowship in Philadelphia, The World Economic Forum's Community of Chairpersons, and the Harvard Kennedy School's Dean Council, among others. Mohammed is the author of three published books, the most recent is Connecting to the Future, which became a U.S. bestseller in 2023.    He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Science from the Royal Air Force U.K. Staff College and a Master's in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the Royal Air Force Military Academy in the U.K. and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.   In this episode, we discuss how Mohammed redefined his leadership style at Investcorp, blending military precision with visionary strategy to scale operations, foster innovation, and create lasting impact on a global stage.   Highlights: How Mohammed spearheaded Investcorp's transformation plan (5:36)Mohammed describes his military experience and how it informs his approach to business (7:47)Situational awareness, and its application to work environments (9:39)How Mohammed views investment decisions on a global scale (11:27)Mohammed's leadership style (12:21)How challenging the status quo helped Investcorp set growth and transformation goals (13:50)What Mohammed has learned from navigating high-profile deals (17:58)How to balance short-term results with long-term strategic planning (19:15)Breaking free of nostalgia in business (20:40)How the Investcorp team maintained internal stability amid substantial growth (22:34)Navigating cultural and economic environments on a global scale (25:19)Investcorp's outlook and goals for 2025 (26:27)Incorporating AI into Investcorp workflows (29:33)Investcorp's influence on corporate social responsibility (30:37)  Links:Mohammed Alardhi LinkedIn Investcorp on LinkedIn Investcorp Website Book: Connecting to the Future by Mohammed Alardhi (2023) 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    37 min
  5. JAN 15

    Kate Doerge, Principal, Kate Doerge Consulting – The Branding Blueprint: Aligning Strategy, Storytelling, and Authenticity

    Summary:  Branding used to be as simple as product packaging. But today, it’s woven into every touchpoint — from social media and customer service to in-store experiences. With more opportunities than ever to connect, brands face the challenge of creating a unified, authentic experience that not only stands out but also stays true to their core identity. Our guest today is helping brands forge deeper, more meaningful connections with their customers...connections that last. Kate Doerge is Principal at Kate Doerge Consulting and Operating Partner at Traub, a global business development, advisory, and investment firm focused on the consumer and retail industries. Kate works with her colleagues at Traub on all aspects of brand strategy and optimization across domestic and global markets. Kate is a dynamic business leader, brand strategist, and trusted advisor driving organizational transformation and delivering impactful results. As an experienced brand marketing consultant, Kate champions innovation and optimizes brand performance to generate value for stakeholders. Her clients have included L'Oreal, H&M, Kate Spade, TAG Heuer, and Oscar de la Renta, among others.  Previously, Kate was Head of Marketing at iStar New York, leading iStar's branding and communications efforts. She launched the firm's first marketing department to drive awareness and also helped iStar play a central role in revitalizing Asbury Park, New Jersey with the Asbury Park Now brand campaign. Prior to that, Kate was a partner at Paul Wilmot Communications, where she led the firm's fashion, beauty and wellness, accessories, culture, and lifestyle divisions. In 2015, Kate was appointed Vice Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Hospital for Special Surgery. She sits on the HSS Pediatric Council, and for the past 16 years, she has Co-chaired HSS's most successful fundraiser for the Pediatric Pavilion, raising more than 25 million to date. She also sits on the Board and acts as a Strategic Advisor for the Penny Doerge Adaptive Pediatric Academy and is Co-founder and CEO of Penny's Flight Foundation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for neurofibromatosis, launched in honor of Kate and her husband Chad's daughter, Penny, who passed away from this condition in November of 2022. In this episode, we explore how Kate Doerge is helping brands stand out by balancing authenticity with innovation, aligning messaging across platforms, and leveraging storytelling to create lasting connections in a rapidly evolving market. Highlights: Kate's path into public relations and consulting (4:03)Memorable client experiences at Traub (9:48)Kate describes the Traub team (11:59)How Kate aligns brand strategies across entire teams (13:32)Challenges brands face when adapting their branding digitally (14:37)How Kate stays on top of trends and innovations (15:51)Adapting to trends while remaining authentic (18:20)How Kate's work at Traub informs her consulting business (20:05)Kate's philanthropic work and 'Penny's Flight Foundation' (22:24)Links: Kate Doerge on LinkedIn Kate Doerge Consulting Website Penny's Flight Foundation  Traub 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    28 min
  6. JAN 8

    Julie Masino, President & CEO, Cracker Barrel – Leveraging Legacy: Fusing tradition with transformation to drive growth

    Summary:  What does it take to revitalize a legacy brand, while maintaining its identity? By balancing tradition and transformation, any company can breathe new life into its business and consistently evolve to meet the changing expectations of customers and employees alike. Today's guest is Julie Masino. Julie is President and CEO of Cracker Barrel, a role she took on just over a year ago in November of 2023. Since then, she's led the company with a focus on innovation and growth drawing on her over 30 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries. Previously, Julie served President of International at Taco Bell and before that, President of North America. She's also held senior leadership positions at Sprinkles Cupcakes, Mattel, Starbucks, and began her career at iconic brands like Godiva, Coach, J. Crew, and Macy's.  In this episode, Julie shares her vision for the brand and the five-pillar transformation strategy she is implementing aimed at enhancing market share, guest experience, and profitability. Highlights: Julie explains the opportunity she saw for Cracker Barrel (2:58)Julie's fiver pillar strategy for Cracker Barrel's transformation (4:25)Why dinner remains a key area for increasing market share (9:23)What updates are being made to Cracker Barrel's pricing strategy? (12:39)Improving facilities and team satisfaction (15:44)Julie highlights the metrics correlated with sales growth (18:48)Digital and off-premises growth (23:00)How Cracker Barrel is engaging younger consumers (27:05)Links: Julie Masino on LinkedIn Cracker Barrel on LinkedIn Cracker Barrel 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    32 min
  7. 12/18/2024

    Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman, MicroStrategy – The Bitcoin Buy-in: Embracing a New Paradigm of Digital Capital

    Summary:  With a new, crypto-friendly administration incoming, 2025 may be the year we see Bitcoin integrate more fully into mainstream finance in America and globally. Though volatile, and with an uncertain future that will heavily depend on how macroeconomic conditions and regulatory policies play out across the year, there's reason to believe that Bitcoin could soon be more prominent than ever. Today's guest is here to tell us why. Michael Saylor is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of business intelligence company MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR), and a leading advocate of Bitcoin. MicroStrategy considers itself to be the world's first Bitcoin Company, and under Michael's leadership have adopted a unique Bitcoin acquisition strategy with approximately $42 billion in Bitcoin held to date.  Michael will also be the keynote speaker in ICR's 27th annual conference, held in Orlando, Florida in January 2025.  In this episode, Michael describes his journey from skeptic to Bitcoin maximalist, emphasizes the importance of understanding Bitcoin as a digital capital asset, and discusses its potential to disrupt traditional valuation methodologies in finance. Highlights: Michael recommends resources for Bitcoin beginners (2:37)Why fear of progress holds us back (3:55)Michael points out the clues suggesting Bitcoin is here to stay (7:11)What USD maximalists get wrong (13:15)How we can understand the potential of Bitcoin through an engineering lens (16:25)Why valuation methodologies need to adapt to include Bitcoin (18:48)How Bitcoin outperforms traditional investments (28:09)Why supportive regulatory environment is crucial for Bitcoin's growth (30:54)Michael explains why the current capital market structure favors a select few (34:59)Why sound money is critical for societal progress (39:00)Links: Michael Saylor LinkedIn MicroStrategy Website Book: The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous 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, marion@lowerstreet.co.

    46 min
5
out of 5
76 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 & CEO 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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