In episode 476 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Bob D'Loren, CEO of Xcel Brands, a leader in live stream media and social commerce, and co-founder of ORME, a social commerce app that features TikTok-style videos within a shoppable marketplace. Listen in as D'Loren describes the Xcel Brands organization and its mission to reimagine shopping, entertainment and social media as social commerce (1:45) and its owned brands, target audience and product lines (5:20). He discusses the ORME platform and how social commerce factors into Xcel Brands' business strategy (8:20)
In addition, D'Loren gives his take on TikTok's uncertain future and its impact on social commerce (21:10), the growth of shoppable content creation on other platforms (23:25), and future product lines and categories on ORME (25:00). Lastly, he shares how brands can identify authentic, engaging influencer partners (27:55) as well as the importance of analytics and customer trust (31:20).
Robert W. D’Loren has been an entrepreneur, innovator and pioneer focused on the consumer products and media industries for the past 35 years. Today, he serves as the founder, chairman and CEO of Xcel, which owns the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, H Halston, C Wonder by Christian Siriano, Longaberger, LOGO by Lori Goldstein, and TWRHLL by Christie Brinkley brands. Since the company’s founding in 2011, D’Loren has spearheaded its unique livestream and social commerce business. The company has generated in excess of $4 billion in livestream retail sales through its brands with 20,000 hours of livestream programming. Also, he serves as chairman of IPX Capital, LLC and related subsidiaries, a consumer products and media investment company; and co-founded KonnectBio, Inc. and ORME, both livestream and social commerce technology companies.
Prior to Xcel Brands, D’Loren was founder, president and CEO of NexCen Brands, a global brand acquisition and management company with holdings that included The Athlete’s Foot, Waverly Home, Bill Blass, MaggieMoo’s, Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzel Time, Pretzelmaker, Great American Cookies, and The Shoe Box. This global franchise retail network included 1,900 stores located in 45 countries.
Prior to that D'Loren co-founded with Prudential Securities UCC Capital Corporation and served as CEO. UCC Capital was an industry leader focused on investing debt and equity in intellectual property-based companies. D’Loren led the restructure and recapitalization of Candies Shoes into Iconix Brand Group, where he also served on Iconix board of directors. His total career debt and equity investments in over 30 entertainment and consumer branded products companies have exceeded $2 billion. D’Loren has also served as an asset manager for Fosterlane Management, where he managed in excess of $1 billion of assets. He has also served as a manager with Deloitte.
D’Loren is a two-time winner of the Wall Street Deal Maker of the year awards, including an Executive Council of New York Ten Awards. As an honoree, D’Loren has been lauded for his leadership and innovation across industries, as well as for his work as a humanitarian. D’Loren has served on the Board of Directors for Iconix Brand Group, Longaberger Company, NexCen Brands, Business Loan Center, KonnectBio and ORME. Also, he serves on the board of directors for the Achilles International. D’Loren is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an M.S. from Columbia University and a B.S. from New York University, Stern Business School.
