Latest news with #Slice
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Slice Soda Turns Up the Volume with Summer Marketing; Adds Cherry Cola Variety to the Mix
Pop-up '80s/'90s radio station powered by Slice and created with AI tools, throw-back pricing and more are the ultimate time machine for consumers thirsty for a fizzy, newstalgic summer vibe SAN DIEGO, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Slice Soda is back and giving fans – new and old – all the feels that newstalgia marketing can with a variety of activations akin to a summer time machine. Kicking it off, the launch of 106.3 The Fizz FM, is a first-of-its-kind branded music experience with retro-inspired DJ sets developed with AI tools to transport us back to the '80s and '90s. The Fizz FM is a real analog radio station and a streaming experience that combines human creativity with modern AI ingenuity to bridge the best nostalgic feelings of then with the modern tech of now. Originally launched in 1984 as a mainstream soda brand, Slice has been reimagined by Suja Life, a leader in healthy beverages, for today's consumer. Slice has the best parts of soda – real fizz and real classic flavors – but none of the bad stuff - with only five grams of sugar or less, 40 calories or less, no high fructose corn syrup, and a gut-loving mix of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics in every can. "Today's Slice is a healthified version of the original, while tasting like pure nostalgia. Parallel to that, blending the best of then and now, our summer activities, including The Fizz FM, are activations only this brand can do – celebrating the era in which the brand was born but with a retro-refreshed Slice edge," said Nicole Portwood, Chief Marketing Officer at Suja Life, parent company of Slice Soda. With growing distribution, consumers across the country are rediscovering Slice and its classic soda pop flavors, including Orange, Grape, Lemon Lime, Classic Cola, Ginger Ale, Grapefruit Spritz and Strawberry at retailers like Costco, Target, Kroger, Albertsons, and rolling out to additional retailers over the months ahead. New for summer, Cherry Cola is delighting Sprouts shoppers and will have broader distribution in July. The Fizz FM: Radio with a TwistThe Fizz FM features almost three looping hours of music inspired by the most popular genres of the '80s and '90s that feature lyrics all about – what else – soda! Just like classic radio shows, The Fizz FM's host, "DJ Bev," takes listeners through a Pop 40 Countdown. From pop punk homage band Lipstick Trigger's "Lipstick Stain on my Slice" to faux boy band Prime Mode's "My Favorite Slice of When" to Yacht Rock-inspired Silken Wave performing "Mixtapes & Memories," it's the fizzy and fun soundtrack every summer needs. Cheeky album covers, imagined band backstories and interviews were also created to make the immersive throwback experience complete. Offering "Slice Advice," Dr. Poplov's smooth voice is where matters of the heart meet matters of the can, as he delivers some real talk to navigate tricky situations like when a hotline "listener's" boyfriend keeps stealing her Slice Soda! Google Chirp speech-to-text model brought both radio hosts to life. "The Fizz FM is pure vibes, that carefree feeling of driving with the car windows down, wind in your hair while singing along to songs of the summer. We say they are yesterday's hits that didn't exist until now," continued Portwood. "Of course, the wink here is that it's one long ad. The songs are overt love songs to our product, which is the nod we want everyone to get. I've been amazed at what can happen when you pair cutting edge technology with real creative firepower." Starting June 20, the first day of summer, The Fizz FM has more fun up its virtual sleeve as it launches a daily contest for fans to call in for the chance to win Slice prizes, just like a classic radio station. Listeners will dial into 1-877-WIN-FIZZ and leave a message about why they're the ultimate Slice superfan. Daily winners will get fun swag and be automatically entered to win a year's worth of Slice Soda. Creative InnovationSlice's creative agency of record, BarkleyOKRP, brought the idea of a pop-up FM radio station to life by using AI tools as an amplifier to the big idea. The agency leveraged Google's suite of AI tools as well as Suno and guided the project by taking musical inspiration from the era to create something familiar but new. The team, featuring artists and musicians, including one writer who moonlights as a DJ, also enlisted musicologists to be certain the compositions were truly unique. Making sure listeners are in on the humor of the stunt, DJ Bev makes cheeky references to their own AI roots. 360 CampaignWhile social media didn't exist in the original era of Slice, it will be leveraged in full for the summer long campaign and embrace a retro feel as well. Influencers received vintage, working fax machines (and instructions on how to use them) and thrifted retro apparel sourced by the brand to bring the campaign full circle. Later this summer, the brand plans to pop up in key markets with retro vending machines that feature throwback $.50 pricing and only take quarters – no digital pay allowed! Slice Soda is also the exclusive soda sponsor of the Vans Warped Tour, hitting Washington D.C., Long Beach, CA, and Orlando, FL throughout 2025. Slice retails for an MSRP of $2.49 per 12-ounce can. The sodas are available at major retailers, as well as online at About Slice SodaSlice Soda is the classic soda you know and love, now made better. Born in 1984 as a mainstream soda, Slice was reimagined and reformulated by Suja Life, a leader in healthy beverages, for today's consumer. A leveled-up version of the original that tastes like pure nostalgia, Slice is boldly carbonated, full-flavored soda that contains a unique blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Available in a variety of flavors from citrusy favorites like Orange and Lemon Lime to iconic Grape and Classic Cola, each can is 40 calories or less with only five grams of sugar or less, and never any high fructose corn syrup. Slice is non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher. For more information on Slice, including where to purchase it, please visit and follow @slicesoda on Instagram. About Suja LifeSuja Life is the leading, vertically integrated manufacturer and marketer of plant-based, better-for-you cold-pressed juices and related beverages committed to delivering function, nutrition and superior taste to a diverse, national consumer base. Formed in 2022, Suja Life is parent company to Suja Organic and Vive Organic, the leading beverage brands harnessing the power of organic, non-GMO, and plant-based ingredients to provide functional products loaded with vital nutrients. In 2025, Suja Life relaunched Slice Soda, a classic soda it reimagined and reformulated for today's consumer. In partnership with Paine Schwartz Partners, Suja Life was founded to merge years of CPG industry expertise and propel brands that encompass a shared mission to craft products held to the highest standards of quality and wellness. Today, Suja Life leads the nation in organic and cold-pressed juices and shots, with a growing portfolio of brands. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Slice Soda Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-NerdWallet CFO: Tips for playing the IPO long game
This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Back in 2021, Lauren StClair helped to bring consumer finance platform NerdWallet public within months of taking the CFO seat. Speaking at a conference last week, the Silicon Valley finance veteran acknowledged she doesn't recommend that blistering pace. She'll now have a chance to apply her experience and skills in a whole new industry: pizza. Earlier this year, StClair left NerdWallet to become CFO of Slice, a New York City-based venture-capital backed firm that gives independent pizzeria owners access to services and tech such as online ordering, websites and point of sale systems, enabling them to compete with bigger chain players. StClair — who has also held senior roles at e-commerce marketplace eBay and StubHub — said her goal is to create 'optionality' for Slice that could lead to a possible IPO in the next few years. During a keynote talk at the CFO Leadership Conference in Boston last week, she asserted a number of ways that finance chiefs must effectively play the long-game and lay the groundwork to ready their organizations for any outcome, whether that be going public or a sale. 'If you're ready for an IPO I would argue that you're ready for a strategic sale,' she said, adding that the best thing finance leaders can do is give their company alternative exits. That proactive preparation can take a number of forms. For example, she said it is the CFO's responsibility to prepare the CEO to answer uncomfortable and even 'weird' questions that they may get during the IPO process, so they are ready for tough questions from banks. Additionally, it's never too early to begin meeting with investors and explain your organization's story, she said. 'Meet with investors when you don't need the money,' StClair told Dan Bigman, editor of the Chief Executive Group and former editor at The New York Times, during the keynote. Meeting early with bankers allows you to cultivate relationships that not only could lead to later funding, but could also foster better and more honest communications. 'They don't always tell you the hard truth,' she said. At Slice, StClair is not raising funds right now, she said. But she told her CEO that it's still important to be out in the market at least once a quarter proactively talking to people about the company's story. 'You can get real time and immediate feedback building those relationships and staying in touch with investors so when it is time to raise funds people know who you are,' she said. The company's last funding round was a Series D in March 2021 when it raised $40 million. The company's largest investors include Notable Capital (former GGV), KKR, Primary Ventures, Cross Creek and 01 Advisors, she said in an emailed response to questions. Based on her experience at public companies and in investor relations, she has also learned the importance of communicating early with investors — and of avoiding surprises. Even if you can't communicate everything that's happening at your organization, she said CFOs can provide details that can help prepare investors for bigger news. 'If you start leaving some of those breadcrumbs, people might say, 'oh you mentioned this a few times before, that makes sense,'' rather than feeling blindsided, she said. One surprise that was a wake-up call for StClair herself was learning that not everyone wants to work for a company that is public. One day after the NerdWallet IPO, two employees resigned and she realized that employee education about what being public means is important. More broadly, she said it's important to remember that an IPO is an important milestone, but one that carries ongoing additional responsibilities that are important to understand and prepare for. 'I liken an IPO, to a certain extent, to a wedding,' StClair said. 'Everybody's so excited about the wedding but then you sometimes forget that you have the marriage for the rest of your life that you have to actually deal with.'
Metro
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
We tried London's hottest new pizza spot that doesn't 'scrimp on the toppings'
Welcome back to The Slice! London's heating up, and not just because of the sun (though we'll take that too). We've found the best place for Organised Adult Fun, reviewed the pizza that's setting a new gold standard for toppings, and uncovered a seafood spot that fuses Scottish soul with Spanish flair. Plus we're livening up dull work lunches with funky salads that have zero boring ingredients. And if your colleagues start getting jealous, you can always tell them to sign up for the Slice themselves to get all the juiciest London goss. Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 31 May-1 June, handpicked as always by The Slice. The Slice is your weekly guide to what's happening in London, so if you're looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we've got you covered. Click here for this week's edit of the best things to do in town. The Slice newsletter also a brand new look! We'll still be in your inbox every week, bringing you all the very best things to eat, drink and do in the capital. So if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here! If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, here are 11 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital. By Sophie Laughton Whether it's work dos or big birthday blowouts, summer is synonymous with Organised Adult Fun. Been tasked with organising your own shindig? Give Electric Shuffle a go. Quick, addictive, and dangerously competitive, the digital gameboard has a range of high-tech twists on the original tabletop game, with rounds like Amplifier (where you knock rivals off the board) and Territory (the puck-based answer to Risk). Once you've demonstrated your skills (or lack thereof), move on over to the eclectic bar area for cocktails – Happy Hour is weekdays 3-7pm – and generously-sized sharers, from tasty sourdough pizzas by the paddle to a big bowl of nachos with all the trimmings. (The extra spicy Firecracker waffle fries went down particularly well with the Metro team, especially after a few rounds of tequila-heavy Electric Dreams – woo!) Just in time for summer events, Electric Shuffle is launching its new King's Cross venue with a bang on 6 June, giving away hundreds of free drinks and prizes to early birds. From 5pm, guests can jump on a shuffleboard table to win everything from bar tabs and brunch tickets to shots, merch, and bragging rights. Race you there! Shuffleboard from £11pp for 60 mins. Sharers from £8, house cocktails from £11. Various venues. Book here. Just in time for summer events, Electric Shuffle is launching its new King's Cross venue with a bang on 6 June, giving away hundreds of free drinks and prizes to early birds. From 5pm, guests can jump on a shuffleboard table to win everything from bar tabs and brunch tickets to shots, merch, and bragging rights. Race you there! Electric Shuffle Kings Cross opens Friday 6 June, 1 Lewis Cubitt Park, N1C 4EJ. Best for: big bowls of satisfaction May is National Salad Month, and the Slice team have finally traded sandwiches for bowls of crunchy greens. If you work in the City, try People Pleaser Salad. Their affordable bowls are a big step up on your standard supermarket meal deal, with signature salads including the eponymous People Pleaser (pictured) – with crumbled feta, Pink Lady apples, candied pecans & turmeric sweet potato – on sale for just £5.90. That'll please pretty much anyone. Salads from £5.90. 163-165 Whitecross St, Barbican, EC1Y 8JT. Find out more here. Best for: lunch in (or out) of the office Bombay's boldest flavours have landed at The Salad Project, thanks to a limited-edition collab with Dishoom. Order your nourishing bowl of Murgh Malai Chicken, chaat masala spiced chickpeas and citrussy grilled pineapple, all finished with a punchy Kasundi mustard dressing. Or customise your own bowl at one of their trendy salad bar spots. The Dishoom Salad available until 1 June in-store, online, or via Dishoom on Deliveroo. Order yours here. Best for: an it-girl dinner kind of salad Salads don't have to be boring. They don't even have to be healthy. Last summer, TikTok declared the ultimate it-girl dinner to be a Caesar salad and fries, and we think no-one is doing elevated comfort food like Bébé Bob. Go for their Schnugget Caesar salad: crispy chicken, bold dressing, and just the right amount of indulgence. Add fries, caviar and sour cream dip, and cocktails created in collaboration with the world's most awarded bartender, Mr Lyan. Schnugget Caesar, £20. 37 Golden Square, Soho, W1F 9LB. Book here. By Beatrice Aidin A Scotsman, a Shetland mussel, and a Padrón pepper walk into a restaurant… and out comes Maresco, the brainchild of Glaswegian Stephan Leroni. Back when he was a music producer in LA (think Hanson and Bon Jovi), Leroni was inspired by an article revealing that the cream of Scotland's seafood was being shipped off to Spain. Back in London, Leroni became an unlikely restauranteur, marrying the best of Caledonian and Catalonian ingredients and cuisine. We kick things off with the famed bomba Maresco, similar to a Scotch Egg but filled with an explosion of mussels. Sea bass ceviche vanishes quickly (I win the last bite), and the fideuà (pictured) – a noodle-based cousin of paella – arrives crowned with dreamlike Hebridean langoustines. We finish with a vast yet light Basque cheesecake and one conclusion: Stephan Leroni is the rock(fish) and roll king of Soho restaurateurs. Small plates from £8. Tapas for Two menu £23pp. 45 Berwick St, Soho, W1F 8SF. Book here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bancone (@ Bancone just opened their fourth site in Kensington High Street, bringing their stunning silk handkerchiefs to West London. The new carbonara version of their iconic dish is apparently being ordered 1,000 times a week. And no, it's not all us. A French fast food chain with 'top notch' burgers is launching in UK. Look out for Dumbo opening in Shoreditch later this year – here's the full lowdown. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SINO (@sinorestaurant) Ukrainian restaurant SINO has a 50% off soft launch offer to celebrate their arrival in Notting Hill. Beautiful, authentic dishes include classic Vareniky dumplings and aged walnut ice cream. Offer available until 4 June. Like your fried chicken with a side of fresh ink? On 31 May, swing by Soho's new Fine Line Hearts Club, where legendary tattoo artist Certified Letter Boy – yes, the one behind Beckham's ink – is offering free tattoos all day. Even tastier: free Dave's Hot Chicken for everyone in the queue. Flash the Dave's Loyalty App to claim yours – and if you get 'I ❤️ D.H.C.' inked, your wings are free for a year. By Courtney Pochin There's no shortage of pizza places in London but Spring Street has quite literally sprung onto the scene and I have no doubt they'll become firm favourites. Founded by chef Tom Kemble, the best thing about Spring Street is that there's no scrimping on toppings. I tried the New Yorker, with San Marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, Rebel Charcuterie pepperoni, Pecorino Romano, hot honey and basil. It was quite possibly the most hot honey anyone has ever drizzled on a pizza, but it managed to hold its own – it was a sweet and spicy delight, with plenty of pepperoni and a beautiful orange tomato sauce. For the best meal here, get a pot of pesto rosso and n'duja to dip your crusts into, order an ice cold teeny martini and finish with the olive oil covered soft serve. You'll be full, but you'll be very happy about it. Pizzas from £12 (12″). Arch 32, Southwark Quarter, Southwark St, London SE1 1TE. Book here. Pub in the Park London is the place to be for foodies from 30 May to 1 June, when Gunnersbury Park will transform into a haven of food, drink, and music. The Slice was at the Marlow edition last weekend and our highlight was Rick Stein's soft shell crab burger – crispy, indulgent, and utterly unforgettable. London's lineup is equally mouthwatering, featuring top gastropubs like The Grazing Goat and The Tamil Prince, live cooking demos from Tom Kerridge and Michel Roux, and music from Soul II Soul and Jack Savoretti. Tickets here. Who's up for a bargain hunt? Search for pre-loved gems at London Docklands Flea, where over 200 local and national flea traders will form a treasure island of vintage, antiques, and second-hand finds. From 10am on June 1, find out more here. Back for a seventh year, The British Library Food Season's Big Weekend is a two-day extravaganza of food, drink, words, and culture. Choose from 14 deliciously diverse events, from a discussion of why we're obsessed with 12ft-high Royal wedding cakes and viral TikTok trends, to a deep dive into the perfect Martini. 31 May-1 June, find out more here. By John Nathan More Trending In one corner stands Martin Freeman's James, a recovered alcoholic who hasn't touched a drop in 25 years; in the other, Jack Lowden's Luka, a tense newcomer to sobriety. If that sounds like the setup for a boxing match, it's fitting – Finn den Hertog's gripping production of David Ireland's two-hander often feels more like it's unfolding in a ring than on a stage. Freeman plays a married, middle-class English dad with little in common with Lowden's embittered, working-class Scottish loner. And yet, their differences make them perfect foils in this funny, tense exploration of masculinity. Intimate and intense, the production offers audiences a rare chance to witness two star performers – Lowden's raw vulnerability as Luka and Freeman's signature tension that makes every line feel like it's balancing on a knife's edge. Until 26 July. Soho Place. Book tickets here. MORE: The UK's best restaurant has been crowned and it sells 'superb' £10 sandwiches MORE: I tried 50 tinnies and found the best canned drink for summer
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Marketing lessons from Indian truck drivers
HighlightsCommercial vehicle Owners-Drivers prioritize apps that offer tangible utility and cost-effectiveness, such as ticketing and booking apps like Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Rail Connect and fintech apps like Navi and Slice. The app Dream11 illustrates how the combination of sports interest and the potential for monetary winnings resonates with a demographic seeking social outlets and engagement amid economic constraints. As India approaches 1 billion internet users by 2027, the growth is predominantly mobile-driven, with over 83% of users accessing the internet via mobile devices. By Sidheshwar Sharma 'A mark of lifelong learners is recognizing that they can learn something from everyone they meet.' ― Adam Grant, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know At recent focus groups of commercial vehicle Owners-Drivers, I found compelling evidence about the apps they use. Happily sharing phone screens, these customers revealed nuanced behavior patterns and preferences that usually get buried under homogenous quantitative data from any media agency, Google, or Meta, which is directionally right. But the fact is, it lacks an all-so-critical layer, which is important to drive actionability. In this AI age of hyper personalization and muchness, we have to seek and embrace ideas that make us think hard instead of data that makes us feel good about what we already know. Therefore, this means digging through and finding connection to a purposeful layering of messages and apt mediums. The easiest place to start? Mobile phones and apps. As India crosses 1 billion internet users by 2027, this growth is overwhelmingly mobile-driven, with over 83% users accessing the internet via mobile. Already, on average, 20 GB data a month is consumed in a month. Crucially, though not surprisingly, this growth is powered by Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, along with rural areas. We are also second in the world in the number of app downloads. Top 5 Reach media being Internet, TV, OTT, OLV and OOH. Whilst for Affinity are Cinema, Social Media, Mobile Banking, OTT and OLV with up to 3 hours spent on their smartphone. So over and above the usual suspects of globally popular social, streaming and communication apps, what apps are Owners-Drivers of Cargo Commercial Vehicles using? Here I place them in three categories: Based on discernment and the opportunities they offer. 1. Ticketing and booking apps: IRCTC Rail Connect, WhereIsMyTrain, MeeTicket and not MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo, Cleartip Core functionality and utility directly related to travel needs supersede comprehensive-but-complex travel options. So, the preference is for booking specific train/bus tickets and tracking live status reliably without the clutter of broader travel features or potential aggregator fees. Not only about the best deal, but the need to secure a ticket and get there on time. 2. Photos and videos editor and players: BroChill, Filmigo and SnapSeed and not Canva, Inshot or CapCut They do not need or want to produce professional content. Their desire is to create engaging video statuses and quickly edit photos for social sharing, often incorporating desi and regional elements. For free of-course. 3. Fintech apps : Navi, Slice in addition to PayTM, Phone Pe UPI has effectively served as the digital onboarding ramp for a vast population into the broader fintech ecosystem. But over and above payments, accessible credit and flexible repayment to manage basic needs or operational costs is a big draw, especially to those without traditional credit history. Replacing chit funds and undocumented loans, the anonymity afforded by such fintech apps directly appeals to the 'I don't like to depend on others' and 'I am optimistic about the future' attitude to work. Exceptions always rule These Owners-Drivers I met, also 'like to take risks' and believe they should 'seize opportunities when they arise.' Apps that profitably combine these with the top genre of interest, that is, sports, specifically cricket? Do exceedingly well and elicit counterintuitive behaviors: Dream11 being the first case in point. While Indians overall love 'free,' the potential for quick monetary winnings holds a strong aspirational appeal for a demographic facing economic constraints. They are willing to bet a small amount (an average ticket size of INR60) but end up doing so frequently, leading to substantial-but-justifiable spending owing to the high excitement and engagement. With 12-14 hours of monotonous and fatiguing driving, a social outlet to display their skills, analysis and intuition is what they are betting on. So what now? Evidently, marketing must move beyond affluent, urban, English-speaking numbers and behavior to engage the growing India. These small-group app preferences demonstrate a larger and clear prioritization of tangible utility, cost-effectiveness, regional relevance, and the fulfilment of specific needs, whether it is reliable bus/train ticketing and tracking, accessible digital credit, or engaging and culturally resonant content and entertainment. Therefore, the need for brands and marketers to engage in a deep audience understanding, find them where they are, hyperlocal targeting and genuine value delivery. Prioritize channels where the target audience is already active and engaged. For example, IRCTC Rail Connect offers significant reach (millions of daily users). Dream11 and BroChill provide a range of targeting options to pick from. Understanding the specific context, constraints (connectivity, device limitations, economic pressures), and motivations (utility, aspiration, community) of the target demographic is the way forward to connect with India's driving force. It's for us to continue to create relevance, respond to shifting priorities and changing environments, quickly connecting the dots. After all, if knowledge is still power—and GenAI is changing this by the second—wisdom will come from knowing what you don't know and for that you need to have your feet on the street and meet your audience. (The author is general manager, brand marketing, CVBU, Tata Motors. Opinions are personal.)
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7 recent podcast episodes CFOs should listen to
This story was originally published on To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily newsletter. As the podcast space continues to grow, it can be challenging for finance leaders to sift through the noise. So far this year, there have been a handful of informative and entertaining podcast appearances by CFOs. Though the topics discussed range from technology and human capital to career growth, these episodes demonstrate the value of a finance leader being able to share their goals, tell their brand's story and put their personality on display. In no particular order, here are seven podcasts recorded in 2025 that finance leaders will likely find valuable. 1. Secrets of Rockstar CFOs: From The Hardwood To The C-Suite: Lauren StClair's CFO Playbook On March 11, former NerdWallet CFO Lauren StClair appeared on Secrets of Rockstar CFOs, hosted by Jack McCullough and produced by the CFO Leadership Council. In the episode, StClair — who is now CFO of online independent pizzeria ordering platform Slice — shares her journey from a Stanford athlete to finance leader, offering insights into leading NerdWallet's IPO and the importance of building diverse, high-performing teams. 'You need a mix of people who bring the entrepreneurial spirit, but you also bring the experience of running things at scale or running a public company, understanding what good looks like and understanding how to get there,' StClair said. 'The balance of those two makes a difference for the team. It's also having the right folks around the table and having diversity of experience and diversity of thought.' 2. Bloomberg Talks: Disney continues to deal with political, business and customer sentiment issues and its CFO Hugh Johnston appeared on Bloomberg Talks on Feb. 5 and highlighted how the company is leaning on its streaming business for growth — an area that he says is doing 'extremely well' for the company. 'This is a business we invested in pretty heavily a couple of years ago, and what you're seeing now are the benefits of those investments,' Johnston said. 'Our expectation is we will continue to grow [subscribers], we'll improve margins, we will make more than a billion dollars in that business this year, and next year we are looking at double-digit margins in that business. So, there's certainly a ton of positive momentum [because] of the great content that's coming from the studio side of the house both on the television and the movie side of our entertainment business." 3. The Accounting Podcast: Jeff Johnston, a former IRS revenue agent, candidly shared jarring but not so surprising insight about the inner workings of the IRS. His comments on the antiquated systems, particularly the Integrated Data Retrieval System, highlight one of the main challenges of the job. 'It's a really hard job to learn only because the systems you have to use within the IRS are [antiquated],' Johnston said. 'It's like going back to an IBM XT. One of the main systems that we use to get taxpayer information is in fact a green screen. It goes to a command line, and you have to know what the commands should be... it's like learning hieroglyphics, it's another language.' 4. CFO Weekly: CJ Gustafson, CFO at PartsTech, shares his FP&A approach in detail. In a conversation that took place on Feb. 21, he offers a thoughtful take on common pitfalls companies face during the budgeting process and how CFOs can avoid them by focusing on clarity, communication and strategic alignment. 'There are really small [pitfalls], like forgetting to budget for employee laptop refreshes — I think I've forgotten that three out of the last five years—and then there are larger ones like not knowing how to forecast your hosting spend,' Gustafson said. 'Is our AWS or GCP bill [linking] to revenue growth or is there some proxy underneath that? A majority of it comes down to getting your hiring right.' 5. The CFO Show: On March 4, Tom Panther, who was then CFO of Corpay and is currently CFO of the National Christian Foundation, talked about the importance of the finance team having a sound understanding of not only the business from an operational perspective, but from a strategic and holistic perspective as well. With this, he says, dealing with macroeconomic factors may be less of a challenge. 'I think it's critical that a business understands its strategies and what it's trying to do in respect to [macroeconomic factors]... In the interest rate environment in which we are all operating, some may structure their balance sheet differently than the interest rate environment we had with zero interest rates,' said Panther. 'In a business that doesn't generate a lot of free cash flow and needs to access capital markets, they need to have a strategy around their debt environment and what's the duration of that debt.' 6. CFO 4.0 Podcast: Richard Sanders, founder and managing partner at Sullivan Street Partners, gave excellent insight on Jan. 21 on how CFOs working under private equity can deal with the unique challenges that come with that particular role. 'As much as we think this is kind of science, in accounting, there's so much natural judgment and so many different ways of approaching a policy,' said Sanders. 'Even if something is being well-managed, you may have a philosophical difference on how you approach it, but often it's not that—it's often that something has been mislabeled, there's been an opportunity missed... Ideally, without damning the predecessor unless it's particularly warranted, [the CFO] must come forward and just say, 'I've noticed the following things,' but when you're coming in you have to give yourself time to learn the business.' 7. Fresh FP&A: Chris Ortega, CEO and fractional CFO at Fresh FP&A, released a full explanatory video on May 8 on how to scale a finance team via AI — with no hiring required. Step-by-step, Ortega uses ChatGPT Plus to help demonstrate how finance leaders can use the tool as an executive assistant. According to Ortega, this is a desire finance leaders showed at events he was attending, and this episode was created to help satisfy that demand. Recommended Reading 6 podcast episodes CFOs should listen to before summer ends Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
