Winning IR

Hosted by Irwin

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Winning IR is a podcast exploring the diverse insights within the investor relations community. Join host Mark Fasken as he discusses the winning strategies, tactics, and shifts in thinking with innovative investor relations professionals who are redefining the profession. Each episode features a different challenge, innovation, or perspective on the ever-evolving role of investor relations, giving you real, actionable insight you can use to build a better investor relations program. Winning IR is hosted by Irwin, an investor relations and capital markets platform built on the belief that investor relations is a critical strategic component of a company's success. Companies deserve a platform that unlocks critical strategic insight, automates manual and time-consuming tasks and consistently innovates alongside the ever-evolving role of the IR team.

Listen to episodes

52 recent

June 4, 202635 min

S6E03: Samir Jain from Orange Group on Going Beyond the Institutional Playbook: IR in the Age of Bitcoin, Retail, and AI

The rules of investor engagement are being rewritten — and the IROs who see it coming are the ones getting ahead. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Samir Jain, a seasoned IR advisor with two decades of experience as a buy-side investor and IRO, about what it takes to communicate a compelling story when your company operates at the frontier of emerging technology. Drawing on his work with companies in the Bitcoin, crypto, and AI infrastructure space, Samir shares how IR professionals can bridge the gap between traditional finance and novel asset classes, engage the growing influence of retail investors, and future-proof their careers in the face of rapid technological change. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: How to build credibility with institutional investors around emerging and misunderstood asset classes Why retail investors are the tip of the spear — and what every IRO needs to learn from the crypto playbook How to engage retail communities on Reddit, X, and beyond in a meaningful and compliant way What AI will replace in IR — and what it absolutely will not Why the IROs who thrive will be the ones who expand their remit, own proprietary information, and position themselves as peer advisors — not proxies 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

May 28, 2026Episode 221 min

S6E02: Soham Bhonsle from Compass Building Credibility at the Intersection of Tech and Real Estate

IR professionals are expected to do far more than communicate — they're expected to lead. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Soham Bhonsle, Head of IR and FP&A at Compass, about what it takes to tell a compelling story when your company sits at the intersection of two very different investor worlds: real estate and technology. Soham shares how his decade-long career as a sell-side analyst shaped the way he engages investors, manages narratives through major M&A, and earns a genuine seat at the table in a founder-led, high-growth company.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

March 10, 2026Episode 135 min

S6E01: Brett Feldman from AT&T on The Real Job of Investor Relations: Aligning Perception With Reality

What does it take to run investor relations for one of the most recognized brands in America — a company that's been public for nearly 150 years, serves tens of millions of customers, and is under constant scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the public alike? Today's guest, Brett Feldman, has the answer. As Senior Vice President — Investor Relations and Treasurer at AT&T, Brett oversees IR for a company with a market cap north of $175 billion and a retail investor base that makes up roughly a third of its shareholders — many of whom are also AT&T customers. Brett brings a perspective that's genuinely rare in IR: he started his career in IR, spent 20 years as a sell-side equity analyst, and returned to the corporate side. That full-circle experience shapes how he thinks about everything from analyst relationships to internal communications to the fundamental purpose of an investor relations function. In this conversation, Brett and Mark Fasken go deep on what it really means to align perception and reality — and why getting that wrong has a measurable cost to your company's shareholders. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: The financial case for investor relations — and why volatility is the metric that matters How AT&T communicates consistently across investors, regulators, employees, and customers The internal IR work that most companies overlook What the sell side actually cares about (and what IROs misunderstand) Why smaller companies should build relationships with analysts who are obsessed with their business — not just the ones with the biggest brand names 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

February 17, 202626 min

S5E05: Jack Riehemann from Robinhood on What It Takes to Build Global Investor Relationships at Scale

In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Jack Riehemann, Head of International Investor Relations at Robinhood, to explore the company’s remarkable surge in international investor interest. Jack shares how Robinhood’s global mission, product expansion, and disciplined execution have attracted investors from Europe, Asia, and beyond—even as the company’s revenues remain largely US-based. He offers practical insights into building strong international investor relationships, understanding regional nuances, and structuring an IR team for global success. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: The key drivers behind Robinhood’s explosive international investor engagement How product innovation and brand recognition fuel global demand Navigating cultural, regulatory, and competitive differences across markets Leveraging sell-side partnerships and technology to scale global IR efforts Tips for effective meeting preparation and adapting to regional investor expectations 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

February 10, 2026Episode 417 min

S5E04: Craig Marks from Sandoz on Navigating International Investor Engagement in Today’s Globalized Financial Markets

In today's increasingly globalized financial markets, international investor engagement is more important than ever. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Craig Marks, Head of Investor Relations at Sandoz, to discuss the practical realities of planning and executing successful international roadshows. Drawing on two decades of experience across major pharma companies, Craig shares his hands-on insights for navigating logistics, targeting the right investors, and maximizing the impact of every meeting. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: How to tailor outreach strategies for different regions and investor types The importance of detailed logistics planning, from city-by-city travel tips to private lunches Approaches for targeting, engaging, and policing brokers to ensure the right investors are reached Myths and realities about regional differences in investor engagement and conversation style The evolving role of ESG in investor relations and why its focus may be shifting Building long-term relationships by revisiting key markets and leveraging local knowledge Craig's personal tips for making investor meetings productive and memorable 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

February 3, 2026Episode 327 min

S5E03: Damian Perry from Phoenix IR on Bridging Borders: Consulting on IR Across Regions

In today’s increasingly globalized investment landscape, North American companies are looking beyond domestic borders to grow their investor base. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Damian Perry, co-founder of Phoenix IR, about the unique challenges and opportunities of investor relations across Europe. Damian shares his decades of experience advising North American companies on European corporate access strategies, highlighting what it takes to succeed in international markets and how independent firms like Phoenix IR offer a distinct advantage. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: The benefits of working with independent IR advisors Key factors for North American companies to successfully market themselves in Europe Which European cities offer the greatest ROI for investor meetings Navigating the impact of MiFID II regulations on corporate access and investor engagement 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

January 27, 2026Episode 233 min

S5E02: Salwa Gradl from du on Investor Relations in the Middle East: Attracting Global Capital Amid Vision 2031

In the rapidly evolving Middle Eastern capital markets, investor relations professionals face unique opportunities and challenges. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Salwa Gradl, Head of Investor Relations at du, to explore the current state of IR in the region and how global capital is being attracted amid ambitious national strategies like UAE Vision 2031. Salwa shares her insights on building effective IR programs in a dynamic market, the impact of national transformation agendas, and the skills required to thrive as an IR leader in the Middle East. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: Navigating a fast-growing IPO landscape and increasing market liquidity Building IR processes and automating workflows with limited resources Educating internal stakeholders about the strategic value of IR Proactive outreach and transparent communication to build investor trust 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

January 20, 2026Episode 119 min

S5E01: Karen Bodner from BNY on Telling Your Equity Story Across Borders: What Global Investors Want

In today's global investment landscape, a compelling equity narrative is essential for attracting international investors. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Karen Bodner of BNY to discuss findings from BNY's recent global investor study and what truly makes an equity story resonate across borders. Karen shares insights from interviews with 40 investors managing $2 trillion in assets, highlighting the elements that build credibility and drive investment decisions worldwide. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: The must-have elements of an effective equity narrative for global investors Why clarity, simplicity, and segmentation are key to investor engagement Common mistakes in international investor communications-and how to avoid them Why "getting back to basics" is the top trend for IR teams heading into 2026 Practical tips for presenting strategic shifts and complex information 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

December 17, 2024Episode 1338 min

Gregg Lampf, Fatma Sardina, and Krishna Rangarajan on The Role of AI in Modernizing 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

December 10, 2024Episode 1237 min

S4E12: Danielle Collins from Shell on The Art of Investor Communications: Tailoring Strategies for Diverse Investor Bases

In today's complex energy sector, effective communication is crucial for investor relations professionals. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Danielle Collins, Senior Investor Relations Director at Shell, about how to successfully communicate complex technical information to diverse investor audiences. Danielle shares her expertise in adapting communication strategies and building meaningful investor relationships. Listen to the full episode to learn more about:Simplifying technical energy sector concepts for both specialist and generalist investorsBeing an "IR chameleon" - adapting communication styles for different investor typesRegional differences in investor priorities, particularly between European and North American marketsBuilding effective investor relationships through detailed note-taking and meeting preparationStrategies for targeting and engaging investors on any budgetUsing memorable "hooks" to make company stories stand outThe future potential of AI in streamlining IR workflowsCreating consistent yet adaptable core messagingGetting valuable feedback from investors through direct engagementWinning 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