{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders","title":"Ciaran Long, CEO, a.k.a. Brands – Dress Rehearsal: Using a 'test and repeat' strategy to adapt quickly to consumer trends","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1372,"description":"Summary:\n\na.k.a. Brands have seen incredible success bringing their digitally native brands into the physical marketplace. A big part of that success comes from their 'test and repeat' retail strategy, which allows them to gauge and adapt to consumer trends extremely quickly. \nCiaran Long has been serving as the CEO of a.k.a brands for more than two years. He was previously CFO at Samsclub.com, and held other leadership positions at Walmart's e-commerce division, as well as at CBS, CNET Networks and KPMG.\n\nCiaran joins us to break down the test and repeat strategy, and explains why it can be so effective at minimizing guesswork and mitigating risk. He also delves into a.k.a. Brands' unique approach to influencer marketing, their strategy when it comes to M & A, and the philosophy that will guide their expansion efforts in the years to come.\n \nHighlights:\nThe a.k.a. Brands portfolio (2:05)\nWhat sets a.k.a apart? (3:12)\na.k.a.'s evolution (4:43)\nExpansion strategy (5:50)\nDealing with fickle consumers (8:56)\nTest and Repeat (10:55)\nCulture Kings (13:39)\nNavigating volatility (16:02)\nSustainability in fashion (17:37)\nM&A (18:53)\nLooking ahead (21:06)\n\nLinks:\nCiaran's LinkedIn\na.k.a. Brands' LinkedIn\na.k.a. Brands' Website\nICR LinkedIn\nICR Twitter\nICR Website\n\nFeedback:\nIf 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.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/VPbFZOgoHk78hrWlplrfMSrQROUNxI8jcZ2Gv-hyKm4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYmFh/NWFlNGJjY2Y0NGFk/YmM2NWJiMTI4NmVh/OWQ4Yi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}