Podcast Summary

Podcast: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson | Presented By Marigold
Host: GURU Media Hub
Episode: What’s Up THIS WEEK: Reddit Ad NEWS! Bad TV! And more 😂 | Ep. 404
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This week’s episode marks the return of the fan-favorite “What’s Up THIS WEEK” format, where host Jay Schwedelson shares trending marketing news, quirky life updates, and offbeat pop culture tidbits. The main focus is on an important new advertising feature on Reddit, but the episode also covers viral pop culture bets and the host’s guilty pleasure in bad reality TV.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reddit Launches Lead Gen Ads (00:45 – 06:00)

• Reddit’s Ad Evolution:

  • Jay highlights that Reddit has, for years, lagged behind other platforms in offering seamless lead generation ad tools.
  • “Reddit ads are having a moment. Because just in the last three weeks, Reddit released lead gen ads.” (01:16)

• Functionality & Impact:

  • Historically, users clicking on Reddit ads would be forced to leave the platform to submit their info, unlike more efficient on-platform forms found on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
    • “There was nothing that kept you on the platform where you could actually do a data capture.” (02:04)
  • The new lead gen ads allow forms to be completed without leaving Reddit, enabling data capture on-platform.

• Why On-Platform Conversion Matters:

  • Jay emphasizes that on-platform forms greatly reduce drop-off and acquisition costs:
    • “There’s nothing more annoying... you click, you’re into that, and then it takes you off platform... that’s when cost per acquisition goes into the stratosphere because it doesn’t happen.” (03:37)
  • He notes these costs are “incredibly low; I’m talking about under $10 usually... if it’s some sort of free thing, a discount code, free guide, whatever.” (04:12)

• Urging Marketers to Test Reddit Lead Gen:

  • “I think everybody should really be looking at testing the lead gen ads on Reddit.” (05:15)
  • Jay frames Reddit as an underpriced opportunity with advanced targeting.

2. Pop Culture Chaos: “Poly Market” and Viral Bets (06:05 – 08:15)

• Insane Engagement Bets on Pop Culture:

  • Jay shares the viral news about someone betting $12,000 on Poly Market, a blockchain-powered prediction platform, that Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift would get engaged in 2025—and winning $50,000.
    • “Can you imagine? Like, you know what? I’m going to take $12,000... and bet that they would get engaged. I mean, I feel like that was going to happen too, but I still would not have put my own $12,000 on this nonsense.” (07:10)
  • Poly Market lets users bet on unpredictable topics—from Oscar winners to “how many tweets Elon Musk will put out next week.”

• Reflections on Society:

  • “What is actually going on on the planet? I don’t understand.” (08:01)
  • This bit offers social commentary, wrapped in Jay’s bemused, conversational tone.

3. Bad TV and Streaming Updates: Peacock on Prime (08:16 – 10:30)

• Peacock Coming to Amazon Prime:

  • Jay confesses excitement: “Peacock is coming to Amazon Prime. This is exciting to me. Why? Because I have no life. And on Peacock is some of the best reality shows.” (08:26)

• Plastic Surgery Rewind:

  • Gives a tongue-in-cheek pitch for one of his favorite “worst” shows:
    • “It’s called Plastic Surgery Rewind... They have Dr. Dubrow, so that’s the guy from Botched... And these famous people go on there that have had ridiculous plastic surgery... and they reverse their plastic surgery. This is a great and terrible show all at the same time.” (09:00)
  • He jokes about his devotion to “terrible TV” and self-deprecatingly draws in the audience.
  • “Now these reality shows are going to be that much more available on Amazon Prime, which is very, very, very exciting for me because I have no life. Right? Yes. You agree? I’m so sorry.” (09:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Marketer Opportunity:
  “Everybody should really be looking at testing the lead gen ads on Reddit.” — Jay Schwedelson (05:15)

• On User Disruption:
  “There’s nothing more annoying... you see an ad, you’re like, oh, I’m into that...and then it takes you off platform. You’re like, screw that, I don’t want to do it.” — Jay (03:30)

• On Poly Market and Pop Betting:
  “Who’s putting their money on this? What is actually going on on the planet? I don’t understand.” — Jay (08:01)

• On Reality TV Guilty Pleasures:
  “It’s actually probably one of the worst shows of all time, but you should absolutely watch it. It’s called Plastic Surgery Rewind.” — Jay (09:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45 – Return of “What’s Up THIS WEEK” and quick premise
• 01:16 – Why Reddit ads are “having a moment” (lead gen update)
• 02:04 – Past issues with Reddit ads; no on-platform data capture
• 03:30 – On-platform forms vs. off-platform (user annoyance)
• 04:12 – CPA comparison under $10 (with proper ad structure)
• 05:15 – Jay recommends Reddit lead gen ad tests
• 06:05 – Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift engagement bet on Poly Market
• 07:10 – Making sense of viral, high-stakes pop culture betting
• 08:26 – Streaming update: Peacock joins Amazon Prime
• 09:00 – “Plastic Surgery Rewind” reality TV review
• 10:30 – Departure into self-aware podcast commentary

Tone and Style

The episode delivers key insights in Jay Schwedelson’s signature upbeat, humorous, and candid style, seamlessly blending actionable marketing advice with playful pop commentary. Jay keeps things engaging, breezy, and practical, making marketing news feel approachable and entertaining.

Actionable Takeaways for Marketers

• Test Reddit lead gen ads, especially for top-of-funnel offers; take advantage of lower competition and reduced CPA.
• Always aim to keep conversion processes on-platform for improved user experience and better acquisition metrics.
• Stay in tune with emerging channels and trends—even in spaces (like reality TV or prediction markets) that seem unrelated; cultural awareness is part of great marketing.

For more episodes and resources: Check out GURU Media Hub and Marigold for marketing solutions.