S4E09: Zane Keller from Affirm on The Investor's Perspective: Leveraging Buy-Side Experience in Investor Relations

About the Episode

In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Zane Keller, Head of Investor Relations at Affirm, to discuss how his decade-long experience as a buy-side investor in global financial services companies has shaped his approach to IR. Zane shares how his understanding of investor priorities has influenced his strategies for effective communication and engagement with the investment community. Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Zane's career journey from the buy-side to leading investor relations at Affirm
• The typical decision-making process on the buy-side and where IR can have the most impact
• Implementing effective IR processes and communication strategies
• Non-traditional interactions for building stronger relationships with investors
• Hosting successful investor days and roadshows
• The importance of gathering and utilizing investor feedback systematically
• Engaging management teams in investor relations activities
• Leveraging technology and tools like CRM systems for better IR outcomes

This episode provides valuable insights for IR professionals looking to enhance their strategies and create more meaningful engagements with the investment community.

About our Guest

Zane Keller is the Head of Investor Relations at Affirm, a leading financial technology company. Before taking on his current role, he built an extensive background in financial services, with over a decade of experience on the buy-side. He previously served as a Director and Equity Research Analyst at Barrow Hanley Global Investors, where he invested in global financial services companies across various sectors, including banking, consumer finance, and payments.

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

Chapters

• 0:00 Zane Keller from Affirm on The Investor's Perspective: Leveraging Buy-Side Experience in Investor Relations
• 1:25 Understanding The Decision Making Process on the Buy Side
• 3:53 How Proactive Targeting and Outreach Can Create Meaningful Engagements
• 6:56 How Strong IR Can Get You On The "Buy List"
• 9:50 Implementing Effective IR Processes
• 12:47 Gathering and Utilizing Investor Feedback
• 16:40 Engaging with Investors and Analysts
• 22:42 Hosting Successful Investor Days
• 32:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts