logo
Future of Gaming: GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna, Live at Nasdaq

Future of Gaming: GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna, Live at Nasdaq

Yahoo23-05-2025

IPO Edge hosted a fireside chat on May 20 at Nasdaq MarketSite with Justin Kenna, Chief Executive Officer of GameSquare Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAME). The in-person interview was joined by Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks and they discussed the main drivers of improvement in profitability for Q1 2025, the divestiture of FaZe Media while still owning 100% of FaZe Clan Esports and its growth opportunities, the progress on the company's end-to-end platform, and more.
Watch the interview below
This embedded content is not available in your region.
About Justin Kenna – GameSquare CEO
Justin Kenna is the CEO of GameSquare Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: GAME) (TSXV: GAME) an international esports and gaming company revolutionizing the way brands and game publishers connect with hard-to-reach Millennial and Gen Z audiences. He drives strategic direction, integrating global brands within gaming communities through GameSquare's media agencies, data and analytics solutions, SaaS platforms, esports organizations, and content studio.
A seasoned executive with extensive experience in gaming, digital media, and finance, Kenna was recognized in the Leaders Under 40 Sports Business Awards Class of 2023 and on the 2023 Dallas 500 list of the most powerful and influential CEOs in North Texas. As former CFO of FaZe Clan, he helped grow one of the world's most globally recognized gaming brands, which he then acquired in 2023 at GameSquare. He has also held finance roles at Madison+Vine, Goldman Sachs, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte and belongs to the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Under his leadership, GameSquare has partnered with over 150 global brands, including Lenovo, Mastercard and Kraft-Heinz, and established collaborations with major sports leagues like the NFL. His efforts have fostered inclusivity in gaming through campaigns with blue chip brands.
Kenna's strategic leadership has attracted prominent investors and board members, including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Goff Family. Kenna lives in Dallas with his wife and daughter.
About GameSquare
GameSquare's (NASDAQ: GAME) mission is to revolutionize the way brands and game publishers connect with hard-to-reach Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Millennial audiences. Our next generation media, entertainment, and technology capabilities drive compelling outcomes for creators and maximize our brand partners' return on investment. Through our purpose-built platform, we provide award winning marketing and creative services, offer leading data and analytics solutions, and amplify awareness through FaZe Clan, one of the most prominent and influential gaming organizations in the world. With one of the largest gaming media networks in North America, as verified by Comscore, we are reshaping the landscape of digital media and immersive entertainment. GameSquare's largest investors are Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Goff family.
Contact:
IPO-Edge.com
Editor@IPO-Edge.com
Twitter: @IPOEdge
Instagram: @IPOEdge

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tesla's Energy Storage Business Is Quietly Growing at Triple-Digit Rates. Is This the Company's Next Growth Engine?
Tesla's Energy Storage Business Is Quietly Growing at Triple-Digit Rates. Is This the Company's Next Growth Engine?

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Tesla's Energy Storage Business Is Quietly Growing at Triple-Digit Rates. Is This the Company's Next Growth Engine?

Tesla's energy division more than doubled its storage deployments in 2024, and triple-digit growth has continued this year. The company's energy business is becoming a core growth engine rather than a side project. Demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure is providing a lift to Tesla's energy storage sales. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › After years of being viewed as an intriguing side project, Tesla's (NASDAQ: TSLA) energy business is starting to look like the electric-car company's most underappreciated growth engine. In 2024, energy storage deployments surged, and gross profit from the segment hit new highs. And momentum hasn't slowed. Based on Tesla's first-quarter 2025 results, the division is on pace for another record-breaking year. For investors still focused solely on Tesla vehicles like its best-selling Model Y and flashy Cybertruck, it may be time to widen the lens. Tesla's energy business delivered stunning results in 2024. Total energy generation and storage revenue jumped 67% year over year to more than $10 billion. After deploying 14.7 gigawatt hours (GWh) of storage in 2023, Tesla more than doubled this figure to 31.4 GWh in 2024. Growth like this doesn't just spotlight demand -- it highlights exceptional product-market fit and suggests there's likely a long runway ahead. More importantly, Tesla's energy business, including both solar and energy storage sales, is becoming far more profitable. Energy segment gross profit reached $2.6 billion last year -- far more than the $1.1 billion it posted in 2023. For further context, Tesla's energy business generated less than $300 million in gross profit in 2022. The division has gone from a long-term moonshot bet to a viable earnings contributor in just a few years. Much of Tesla's momentum in its energy storage business comes from its Megapack product -- a grid-scale battery storage solution designed for utilities and large-scale commercial customers. The company is producing Megapacks at its dedicated Lathrop, California, facility, and recently started production at a second Megapack factory in Shanghai, with a target production of up to 40 GWh of capacity per year. Of course, Tesla also has a product for residential customers called Powerwall. Though Powerwall deployments are smaller than Megapack, the product's importance shouldn't be underestimated. "We achieved a fourth sequential record for Powerwall deployments," Tesla said in its first-quarter update in April, "crossing 1 GWh for the first time, and continue to be supply constrained." Speaking of Tesla's first-quarter momentum in energy storage, total energy storage deployment during the period skyrocketed 154% year over year to 10.4 GWh. Revenue from energy generation and storage grew 67% year over year to $2.7 billion. In its first-quarter update, Tesla attributed some of its massive growth to rising demand for artificial intelligence (AI). AI infrastructure is driving rapid load growth, which, along with traditional utility customer applications, is creating an outsized opportunity for our Energy storage products to stabilize the grid, shift energy when it is needed most and provide additional power capacity. Of course, investors still need to keep their expectations in check. Though Tesla is the most aggressive and scaled player in the space, there's a risk that a business like this becomes commoditized over time as other players ramp up their efforts in the space. Additionally, management said in its first-quarter update that the current tariff environment has a "relatively larger impact" on its energy business than it does on its automotive business. Still, Tesla's staggering momentum in the segment is hard to ignore. Investors have long been willing to give Tesla a premium valuation based on its disruptive potential. But in recent years, that bet has rested almost entirely on the company's vehicle business. Now, a second act is emerging. Tesla's energy division is growing rapidly, becoming more profitable, and gaining strategic importance. It's taking some pressure off Tesla's automotive business. If Tesla's energy business continues to scale at its current pace, it won't just be a "nice-to-have" division. It will be one of the company's most important growth levers. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $368,035!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $38,503!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $668,538!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join , and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025 Daniel Sparks and/or his clients have positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Tesla's Energy Storage Business Is Quietly Growing at Triple-Digit Rates. Is This the Company's Next Growth Engine? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio

Wall Street Legend Bets Against Strategy -- Says Bitcoin Investors Are Paying Double
Wall Street Legend Bets Against Strategy -- Says Bitcoin Investors Are Paying Double

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Wall Street Legend Bets Against Strategy -- Says Bitcoin Investors Are Paying Double

Jim Chanos (Trades, Portfolio) is backwith a trade that's turning heads. The famed short-seller behind the Enron call is now targeting Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), not for its crypto exposure, but because of it. On a recent podcast, Chanos laid out what he believes is one of the cleanest arbitrage setups he's seen in years: short MSTR, long Bitcoin (BTC-USD). His reasoning? At current prices, buying the stock is like paying $220,000 for Bitcoin that trades near $110,000. That's because MicroStrategy's share price still reflects a steep premium over the company's actual Bitcoin holdings, even after the spread has started to narrow. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with MSTR. It's not just Chanos. Hedge funds have been circling this trade since MicroStrategy transformed itself into a kind of Bitcoin-holding company. Fueled by Michael Saylor's capital-raising spree, the firm has used equity and convertible debt to amass billions in BTC. Retail investors followed, helping push the stock far beyond its net asset value. While some bulls argue that leverage and zero-fee exposure justify the premium, skeptics are betting that rising dilution and tighter spreads will eventually bring the valuation back to earth. According to Bloomberg data, when factoring in dilution and stripping out the firm's legacy software business, MSTR is still trading at nearly double the value of its underlying crypto assets. Not everyone is jumping in. Firms like Kerrisdale promoted the trade in early 2024 but have since stepped away, citing timing challenges. TD Cowen analyst Lance Vitanza, meanwhile, believes the premium might persistthanks to Bitcoin-per-share growth and MicroStrategy's unique structure. For now, the short side is cheap to maintain, with borrow costs still low and liquidity deep. But risks remain: unexpected corporate shifts, volatile BTC moves, or changes in short dynamics could all shake up the math. Chanos remains focused on the long game, saying the spread could compress meaningfully over timebut even he acknowledges this one's better suited for hedge funds than personal portfolios. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 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

Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and ...
Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and ...

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and ...

Total Revenue: Increased 7% or 8% on a constant currency basis to $2.4 billion. Gross Margin: Increased 60 basis points to 58.3%. Earnings Per Share (EPS): $2.60, ahead of expectations. Share Repurchases: $430 million worth of stock repurchased. Net Income: $315 million. Operating Income: $439 million or 18.5% of net revenue. Cash and Cash Equivalents: Approximately $1.3 billion. Store Count: Ended the quarter with 770 stores globally. Comparable Sales: Increased 1% overall. Regional Revenue Growth: Americas: Increased 3% or 4% in constant currency. China Mainland: Increased 21% or 22% in constant currency. Rest of World: Increased 16% or 17% in constant currency. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with BRZE. Release Date: June 05, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU) reported a 7% increase in total revenue for Q1 2025, or 8% on a constant currency basis, reaching $2.4 billion. Gross margin improved by 60 basis points to 58.3%, driven by lower product costs and improved markdowns. The company continued its share repurchase program, buying back $430 million of stock, demonstrating confidence in its long-term prospects. Revenue in China Mainland increased by 22% in constant currency, showcasing strong growth in this key market. Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU) maintained its full-year revenue guidance, expecting 7% to 8% growth, indicating confidence in its strategic initiatives. The U.S. market showed only a 2% revenue growth, with consumers remaining cautious and intentional about their buying decisions. The company anticipates a 110 basis point decrease in gross margin for the full year due to increased tariffs. SG&A expenses increased to 39.8% of net revenue, up from 38.1% last year, driven by FX revaluation losses. Operating margin decreased to 18.5% from 19.6% in Q1 2024, reflecting increased costs and strategic investments. Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU) expects a decline in operating margin by approximately 160 basis points for the full year, primarily due to tariffs and increased markdowns. Q: Can you expand on the mitigation efforts for tariffs and what you're thinking about regarding price increases and diversifying sourcing? Also, any category trends in the U.S. business with the newness offered? A: Meghan Frank, CFO, explained that the mitigation efforts include strategic price increases on a small portion of the assortment and pursuing efficiency actions in sourcing. Calvin McDonald, CEO, noted that the newness is balanced across activity and lifestyle categories, with strong responses to new products like the Daydrift trouser and Align No Line. Q: Could you elaborate on the comp drivers and any updates on the progression of the quarter? A: Meghan Frank, CFO, stated that there was a decline in store traffic, particularly in the U.S., but conversion trends remained consistent, and there was an uptick in average dollars per transaction. The progression from April into May showed no material changes. Q: Why not do more with price to offset tariffs, and is the bigger disconnect between top and bottom line mostly due to tariffs? A: Meghan Frank, CFO, confirmed that the decline in operating margin guidance is driven by the net impact of tariffs, with some offsets from pricing and supply chain efficiencies. There are no meaningful changes in expense posture, and strategic pricing is being considered based on elasticities. Q: Can you elaborate on the slight increase in markdowns now contemplated in the full-year outlook? A: Meghan Frank, CFO, mentioned that markdowns were down 10 basis points in Q1, but given consumer confidence and macroeconomic concerns, a slight increase in markdowns is anticipated for the second half of the year, in the range of 10 to 20 basis points above last year. Q: Given the success of new launches, what are your thoughts on returning the U.S. business to sustainable comp growth? A: Calvin McDonald, CEO, expressed confidence in the newness and innovation, noting that the U.S. consumer remains cautious. The company is gaining market share in the premium activewear segment, and the newness is resonating well with consumers. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store