Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell | Release Date: August 8, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The Best One Yet, hosts Jack Crivici-Kramer and Nick Martell delve into three captivating business stories shaping the pop-biz landscape. From innovative features reviving the dating app industry to the meteoric rise of a fictional K-Pop band, and the surprising profitability within the golf industry, Nick and Jack provide insightful analysis complemented by their signature humor and engaging banter.

1. Hinge’s Double-Date Feature Revitalizes Dating App Sector Timestamp Highlights: [00:55] – [21:21]

a. Resurgence Amid Decline

Nick and Jack kick off their first story by addressing the downturn in the dating app industry. Despite widespread concerns about declining user engagement and plummeting stock prices, Hinge stands out by reporting an impressive 18% increase in paying users last quarter. Jack quips, “Hinge has revealed the secret to a woman's heart is a double date” ([00:55]).

b. Hinge’s Strategic Focus on Female Users

The hosts emphasize Hinge's strategic focus on enhancing the female user experience. Nick explains, “Hinge is focused on females. The Hinge team put a significant focus on the female experience” ([07:34]). This approach includes features designed to reduce ghosting, such as reminders prompting men to respond to messages, thereby fostering more meaningful interactions.

c. Tinder’s Innovative Double-Date Feature

Building on Hinge’s success, Tinder introduced a double-date feature allowing users to date in pairs. Jack highlights the positive impact of this feature: “Women are three times more likely to send a reaction and four times more likely to match when one of them are using the double date feature” ([08:19]). This innovation has not only boosted user engagement but also contributed to Tinder’s stock jumping by 10% ([07:22]).

d. Market Impact and User Behavior

The narrative concludes with the hosts discussing the broader implications for the dating app market. Nick remarks, “Match kept it spicy by launching a whole bunch of features to revive their business” ([09:37]). The takeaway underscores the importance of continuous innovation and user-centric features in sustaining growth within a competitive industry.

2. Netflix’s "K-Pop Demon Hunters" Dominates Streaming and Music Charts Timestamp Highlights: [21:21] – [14:35]

a. Unprecedented Success of a Fictional Band

Transitioning to their second story, Jack and Nick explore the phenomenal success of Netflix’s animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters. They reveal that not only is the film the top movie on Netflix, but its fictional K-Pop band’s soundtrack also dominates Spotify’s charts. Jack enthusiastically states, “I'm officially a fanboy” ([10:27]).

b. Cross-Platform Synergy Between Netflix and Spotify

The hosts analyze the synergy between streaming platforms, noting that seven of the top eleven songs on Spotify are from the movie's soundtrack ([10:10]). Nick summarizes the phenomenon: “A fictional band that is the top real band on Spotify” ([10:57]). This cross-platform success highlights the growing trend of media convergence, where content spans multiple channels to maximize reach and engagement.

c. Time Spent as a Critical Metric

A key insight from the discussion is the emphasis on “time spent” as the primary metric driving success. Nick states, “It shows the media metric that matters most. Time spent” ([10:02]). Unlike traditional metrics like box office revenue, Netflix prioritizes how long viewers engage with content, which directly correlates with subscriber retention and satisfaction.

d. Comparison with Traditional Media Metrics

Jack contrasts Netflix's approach with that of traditional Hollywood executives, who focus on vanity metrics such as box office numbers and awards. “Netflix doesn't care about winning Oscars or box office revenues. Those are vanity metrics to these guys” ([13:35]). This shift towards engagement-based metrics is presented as a more accurate reflection of a show's impact and popularity.

e. Global Reach and Cultural Impact

Nick and Jack highlight the global reach of K-Pop Demon Hunters, noting its significant viewership that surpasses traditional theatrical releases when accounting for household viewing. The hosts conclude that Netflix's focus on time spent has positioned the movie as the most-watched globally, emphasizing the importance of understanding and leveraging the right metrics in today's media landscape.

3. Titleist (Acushnet) Golf Achieves Record Profits Amidst Industry Trends Timestamp Highlights: [21:21] – [20:31]

a. Record Revenue and Market Performance

In their final story, Jack and Nick discuss Titleist, a leading brand under Acushnet, which reported record revenues across its five golf brands. Nick humorously notes, “They own all of them” ([17:08]), referring to brands like Scotty Cameron and FootJoy. The company's stock is nearing all-time highs, reflecting strong market confidence.

b. Pandemic-Driven Growth in Golf Participation

The hosts attribute Acushnet’s success to the sustained boom in golf participation post-pandemic. Jack points out, “Revenue for this golf company today is 2.5 billion a year compared to 1 and a half billion pre-pandemic” ([18:15]). This surge is fueled by a growing number of new golfers, contributing to increased sales of both clubs and balls.

c. Innovative Business Model Similar to Printers

Nick draws a parallel between Acushnet’s business model and that of the traditional printer industry. “The printer is the unprofitable part, and the Printer Inc. is the profitable part. Because the profits are in the balls” ([20:31]). This analogy highlights how Titleist profits more from high-turnover products like golf balls, which are consistently needed by golfers, compared to higher-priced, less frequently purchased golf clubs.

d. Resilience Despite Weather Challenges

Despite a notably rainy summer affecting play in the Northeast, Acushnet maintained solid golf ball sales. Jack attributes this to golfers purchasing essential gear like umbrellas, indirectly supporting golf-related sales. “Golf gear was the fastest growing category for the company by far this year” ([19:28]).

e. Strategic Brand Management

The discussion also touches upon Acushnet's strategic branding choices. The company operates under the name Acushnet instead of directly leveraging its flagship brand, Titleist. Nick suggests, “We think Acushnet should actually be called Titleist because Titleist is their biggest brand in Golf” ([17:35]). This branding strategy allows the company to manage multiple brands effectively while capitalizing on Titleist’s dominant market presence.

Concluding Insights

Throughout the episode, Jack and Nick emphasize the importance of user-centric strategies and innovative features in driving business success across diverse industries. Whether it's revitalizing dating apps through novel features, leveraging cross-platform content synergy in media, or optimizing business models to maximize profitability, the hosts provide a comprehensive analysis of what’s working in today’s dynamic market landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack: “Hinge has revealed the secret to a woman's heart is a double date.” ([00:55])
• Nick: “It shows the media metric that matters most. Time spent.” ([10:02])
• Jack: “The printer is the unprofitable part, and the Printer Inc. is the profitable part. Because the profits are in the balls.” ([20:31])

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