Winning IR

We see a lot of discussions and questions about how to build an IR program from the ground up–especially one that is adaptive and built for long-term success. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Samantha Hilson Sandler, Head of Investor Relations at SpringWorks Therapeutics, about her experience building an IR program from the ground up. Samantha shares insights from her diverse background in healthcare and corporate investment banking and offers practical advice for new IROs on prioritization, investor targeting, and adapting strategies through the company’s transition from clinical to commercial stage. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Aligning the IR program with corporate strategy
• Building an IR program from scratch
• Engaging with leadership and stakeholders
• Defining IR strategy and objectives
• Effective communication and market insights
• Leveraging tools and technologies
• Investor targeting and prioritizing investor outreach
• Transitioning from clinical to commercial stage

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

Few industries experience the volume of existential events, personal biases, and complexities as the airline industry. Shifting bias, transforming the narrative, and thinking creatively for investor relations in these industries is paramount to successful IR. In today’s episode of Winning IR, Mark sits down with Andrew Storm, Managing Director of Investor Relations at Delta to discuss the challenges of navigating investor bias, using storytelling to reshape perceptions, and building strong and engaging relationships. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Unpacking the challenges and biases against airlines
• Strategies for changing investor perceptions
• Creative targeting and outreach strategies in a biased industry
• Navigating investor styles and engagement
• Enhancing relationships with shareholders and analysts

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

With the ever-changing landscape of investor relations, having a mission-led corporate culture can drive more innovative and successful investor relations programs. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Deborah Belevan to discuss how the company’s dynamic and mission-driven culture has impacted its award-winning investor relations program. From earnings calls to shareholder letters, Deborah shares her best advice and experience for thinking differently and building stronger relationships.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• The unique dynamics of IR at Duolingo
• Embracing long-term strategy over short-term goals
• Engaging investors with a vision for the future
• Focusing on sustainable growth and educational impact
• Duolingo’s approach to video earnings calls and how they manage their earnings process
• How a quarterly shareholder letter strengthens analyst & investor relationships
• How company culture impacts your ability to innovate

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

For IROs, it is more important than ever to understand strategic trajectory, market position, and risk management for their companies. In today’s episode, Mark Fasken sits down with Mark Hayes, Partner and Head of Capital Markets Advisory at Breakwater Strategy, to discuss the evolving role of the elevated IRO, the significance of collaboration across functions for effective IR. and how IR can use impact intelligence to customize approaches and gather relevant insights for decision-making and valuation.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Defining the Elevated IRO
• The six essential skills of an Elevated IRO
• Identifying skill gaps and opportunities
• An introduction to impact intelligence and it’s impact and use cases
• Next steps for Elevated IROs

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

With shareholder activism rates continuing to rise and defense strategies becoming more complex, how can IR and management teams be better prepared for activist situations? In this episode of Winning IR, Kiley Rawlins, Vice President - Investor Relations at Ulta Beauty, draws on her 25 years of experience in IR and shares insights on activism readiness and how investor relations officers should prepare for and approach potential activist campaigns.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Activism readiness: understanding the key issues and vulnerabilities that drive shareholder activism
• Communication strategies with your board and management team
• Preparing for potential activist campaigns
• Monitoring performance and comparisons with peer groups
• The importance of your advisor team and scenario planning
• Engaging with activists and shareholders
• Balancing threats and opportunities from activism

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

While the content of your message has a large impact on how well your company is understood by investors and analysts, how you deliver your message can carry equal weight. In this week’s episode of Winning IR, Mark sits down with David Calusdian, President at Sharon Merrill Advisors. They discuss how developing your presence and communication skills can benefit IROs and Executives alike.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• The importance of structured messaging
• The Communication Pyramid Model
• Common mistakes that prevent effective communication
• The role of body language 
• Improving executive communication
• The importance of effective communication in investor relations

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

The Small-Mid-Cap landscape has changed drastically in recent years, and targeting is a key concern for companies looking to reduce stock volatility, build new relationships, and grow their company.

In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Jonathan Paterson to discuss how mid-cap companies can build effective targeting and outreach strategies.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Common objectives in investor outreach
• Increasing institutional shareholder base
• Targeting hedge funds and family offices
• Increasing liquidity by targeting hedge funds and family offices
• The importance of clear communication
• Targeting strategies for small-mid-cap companies
• Incorporating existing data into engagement strategies
• The role of social media in IR
• Crafting the perfect investor outreach email
• And more

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

Over the last few years, IR teams are increasingly becoming more proactive with buy-side engagement due to regulatory requirements and an evolution in standard practices in corporate access. During this evolution, it's become clear that there is some mystery surrounding buy-side corporate access and how IRO’s can begin to leverage these teams to benefit their outreach and relationships. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Elizabeth Librizzi, Chief Administrative Officer for Equities at AllianceBernstein, sit down to discuss how buy-side corporate access can help corporates build long-term sustainable relationships. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Buy-side corporate access, and how it differs from sell-side corporate access
• How IR teams should engage with buy-side corporate access teams
• The benefits of working directly with buy-side corporate access
• What you need to know about buy-side conferences
• The biggest surprise for Elizabeth going from sell-side to buy-side corporate access
• The biggest misconception about buy-side corporate access

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

Managing an IPO is, without a doubt, a career-making transaction for an IRO. On this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Catherine Buan, Investor Relations at Asana, discuss what IR practitioners who find or want to find themselves in the seat to lead a company through their go-public transition. 

Catherine is an industry veteran and has managed IPOs for some of the biggest tech companies in the market, and she shares some really insightful advice from her years of experience. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• Setting the stage for an IPO
• Assembling the internal and external team
• The IPO timeline for IR
• How to ensure your management team is set up for success
• What to look out for during the IPO process
• What you need to know to ensure success post-IPO
• Advice for IROs who are interested in taking companies public

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Patricia Cruz, Senior Manager, Investor Relations at Etsy, Inc, talk about her experience transitioning into an in-house role from a previous consulting career, and what it takes to be a next-generation IRO. Patricia shares her best advice for finding the path that will bring you the most success in your IR career, getting exposure and building your network, and ensuring you build the right skills to be successful in the long-term. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• In-house vs. consulting - what’s the difference, and how to make the transition.
• What you should know before getting into IR
• The best networking resources for a new IRO
• Patricia’s best advice for finding success early in your career

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir