Podcast Summary: Ep. 279 - What's Up THIS WEEK: HUGE Performance DROP!🚧Daylight SAVINGS! GOOGLE Changes!🧠Severance! Bridget Jones Review…

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Welcome to a comprehensive summary of Episode 279 of "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson," presented by Marigold and hosted by GURU Media Hub. In this episode, Jay delves into timely business and marketing topics, blending actionable insights with current events and pop culture references to provide marketers with valuable strategies and cautionary advice.

1. Impact of Daylight Savings Time on Marketing Campaigns

Jay begins the episode by highlighting the often-overlooked effects of Daylight Savings Time (DST) on marketing efforts. With DST commencing on March 9th, Jay emphasizes the necessity for marketers to adjust their campaigns accordingly.

• Loss of Productivity and Consumer Engagement: Jay cites research from the Journal of Applied Psychology, noting a 6% spike in workplace injuries the day after the spring forward due to lost sleep (02:00). Additionally, he references the American Economic Review, which reports a 6.5% increase in fatal car crashes during the week following DST.

• Decline in Consumer Transactions: According to JPMorgan Chase, there's a 3.5% drop in credit card transactions in the days following the DST shift, attributed to consumer fatigue (03:00).

• Email Marketing Challenges: Jay points out that email open rates suffer, with a 15% decrease for emails sent between 6 AM and 9 AM in the three days post-DST (04:00). This decline underscores the broader impact of reduced alertness and engagement among audiences.

• Strategic Recommendations: Jay advises marketers to:

  • Adjust Campaign Timelines: Schedule emails and social media posts for later in the day when audiences are more likely to be alert.

  • Align Product Offers with Consumer Needs: For instance, promoting coffee or energy-boosting products can resonate well during this groggy period.

Notable Quote:

"People are tired. They don't care about your webinar. They don't care about you selling a discount on your new sweaters. Nobody cares. They're just tired. They need more coffee." – Jay Schwedelson (04:30)

2. Google's Changes to Customer Match Rules

Shifting focus to digital marketing, Jay discusses recent modifications to Google's Customer Match policies that have significant implications for campaign strategies.

• New Data Expiry Policy: Google now invalidates any customer data older than 540 days (18 months), preventing marketers from using outdated records for retargeting (05:00).

• Implications for Marketers: This change forces marketers to:

  • Regularly Update Databases: Ensure that customer data is current and reflects recent interactions.

  • Re-engage Dormant Customers: Implement strategies to re-engage users before their data expires.

• Benefits of the Change: Jay supports Google's decision, arguing that it curbs the inefficiency of maintaining stale contact lists. He emphasizes the importance of basing engagement strategies on recent customer activity rather than outdated consent (06:00).

Notable Quote:

"It's the engagement date. It's not the opt-in date. So now we should be thinking about that." – Jay Schwedelson (05:45)

3. Pop Culture Highlights: Megan Markle's Rebranding Efforts

In a lighter segment, Jay touches upon celebrity branding mishaps, specifically focusing on Meghan Markle's recent rebranding efforts.

• Brand Name Change Issues: Meghan Markle rebranded her lifestyle brand from "American Riviera Orchard" to "As Ever." However, this new name clashes with:

  • A Town in Mallorca, Spain: The local mayor objected to the branding overlap (06:45).

  • An Established New Jersey Company: A decade-old business named "As Ever" expressed concerns over brand confusion and potential market dilution.

• Lessons for Marketers: Jay underscores the importance of thorough market research and trademark checks before rebranding to avoid legal complications and brand identity crises.

Notable Quote:

"Do a little research. It's not that hard." – Jay Schwedelson (07:15)

4. Severance's Phenomenal Success on Apple TV

Jay shifts to entertainment, highlighting the skyrocketing success of the TV show "Severance" on Apple TV.

• Record-Breaking Viewership: "Severance" has become the most-watched show in Apple TV history, surpassing the likes of "Ted Lasso" (07:45).

• Impact on Subscriber Growth: The show's popularity has contributed to a 126% increase in Apple TV subscribers over the past two weeks compared to the same period last year (08:00).

• Cultural Relevance: Jay notes the show's appeal among younger audiences, including his own 18-year-old son and his peers, driving word-of-mouth promotion and sustained viewership.

Notable Quote:

"Severance is crushing it." – Jay Schwedelson (07:55)

5. Critical Review: Bridget Jones's Latest Movie

Concluding with a critical take on pop culture, Jay reviews the latest installment in the Bridget Jones series.

• Negative Reception: The new "Bridget Jones" movie on Peacock has received poor reviews, with Jay labeling it "unwatchable" and advising listeners to skip it altogether (08:20).

• Personal Accountability: Jay humorously ties his review to the podcast's success by requesting listeners to leave reviews, warning that a lack of feedback would metaphorically liken him to the subpar movie (08:35).

Notable Quote:

"Please don't [watch Bridget Jones]. Terrible." – Jay Schwedelson (08:30)

6. Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Jay wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through reviews and by exploring new partnerships. He directs listeners to his contact for further collaboration opportunities (08:40).

Conclusion

Episode 279 of "Do This, NOT That" offers a blend of critical marketing insights and engaging discussions on current events and pop culture. From the tangible effects of Daylight Savings Time on marketing strategies to navigating Google's updated customer data policies, Jay Schwedelson provides marketers with practical advice to enhance their campaigns. Additionally, his forays into celebrity branding and entertainment offer a well-rounded perspective, making this episode both informative and entertaining for listeners aiming to stay ahead in the dynamic field of marketing.

Timestamp Key:

• 02:00 – Workplace injuries post-DST
• 03:00 – Credit card transaction drop
• 04:00 – Email open rates decline
• 04:30 – Quote on consumer fatigue
• 05:00 – Google's data expiry policy
• 05:45 – Quote on engagement date
• 06:45 – Meghan Markle's rebranding issues
• 07:15 – Quote on market research
• 07:45 – Severance's viewership records
• 07:55 – Quote on Severance's success
• 08:20 – Bridget Jones movie review
• 08:30 – Quote on avoiding the movie
• 08:40 – Closing remarks