Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet – Episode 🐟 “CodBar”

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Best One Yet
• Host/Author: Nick & Jack Studios
• Description: Feel brighter every day with our 20-minute pop-biz news podcast. The 3 business stories you need, with fresh takes you can pretend you came up with — Pairs perfectly with your morning oatmeal ritual. Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell. Formerly known as “Snacks Daily”, Nick and Jack continue their podcast independent from Robinhood.
• Episode Title: 🐟 “CodBar” — David’s fish protein bar. Labubu: Beanie Baby or Barbie? Pittsburgh’s Austin-of-the-East.
• Release Date: July 17, 2025

1. David’s Fish Protein Bar Launch: “CodBar”

Overview: Nick and Jack delve into the latest innovation from David, a protein bar company previously known for pioneering high-protein snacks. David has launched its most controversial product yet—a protein bar made entirely from codfish, aptly named the “CodBar.”

Key Points:

• Product Launch & Controversy:

  • David introduces a protein bar composed solely of processed codfish, challenging traditional perceptions of protein supplements.
  • The product received mixed reactions, with some consumers intrigued by the high protein content, while others found the concept unappealing.

• Business Strategy:

  • Nick: “David Barr doesn't want to be seen as a protein bar company, they want to be seen as a protein company.” (09:19)
  • Emphasizes a commitment to pure protein sources, positioning cod as a superior alternative.
  • Jack: “Sometimes you gotta sell a virtue signal. And the virtue is protein.” (09:06)

• Financials & Market Impact:

  • David has raised $75 million and is currently valued at $725 million with $100 million in revenue.
  • The CodBar boasts an impressive protein-to-calorie ratio: “Zero sugar, 100 calories, 23 grams of protein per filet.” (09:19)

• Consumer Perception & Future:

  • Initially perceived as a quirky or even prank-like product, the CodBar is now seen as a statement on protein purity.
  • Nick: “What Jack and I think David is proving here in an almost comical way just how committed they are to the protein focus.” (09:35)
  • The product serves more as a marketing tool to reinforce David’s brand identity centered on high protein content.

Conclusion: David’s CodBar represents a bold move to redefine the protein supplement market. While unconventional, it underscores the company's unwavering dedication to providing pure, high-protein products.

2. Popmart’s Labubu Dolls: Beanie Baby or Barbie?

Overview: The hosts explore the meteoric rise of Popmart’s Labubu dolls, a new collectible phenomenon that rivals iconic brands like Beanie Babies and Barbie. Popmart’s strategic marketing and celebrity endorsements have catapulted Labubu into mainstream popularity.

Key Points:

• Product Description & Popularity:

  • Labubu dolls are described as “a creepy cute doll the size of a La Croix” blending elements of Furby and Teletubbies.
  • They have become a staple accessory, with collectors attaching them to bags as keychains.

• Market Performance:

  • Popmart’s stock has surged 13x since early 2024, now valued at $40 billion—“six times more valuable than Mattel.” (19:04)
  • Projected sales include $1 billion in Labubu dolls for the current year.

• Marketing Tactics:

  • Nick: “The hype hack for Labubu dolls is celebrities.” (17:14)
  • Endorsements from high-profile figures like Kim Kardashian, Hilary Duff, Simone Biles, and Megan Thee Stallion have fueled demand.
  • The mystery box model creates scarcity, encouraging collectors to purchase multiple units in hopes of rare finds.

• Comparative Analysis:

  • Nick & Jack: Compare Labubu’s collectible strategy to Beanie Babies’ 1990s craze and the Bored Ape Yacht Club’s NFT boom.
  • Jack: “Popmart may win the battle, but Mattel will probably win the war.” (19:25)
  • Labubu’s short-term gains are impressive, but Mattel’s timeless brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels offer deeper emotional connections and long-term stability.

• Future Prospects:

  • While Labubu currently outpaces traditional toy companies in market value, its reliance on trends and celebrity endorsements makes it vulnerable to fading popularity.
  • Nick: “Barbie's brand is timeless… it's more about aspiration,” suggesting that Labubu needs to evolve beyond being a mere fashion statement to sustain its success.

Conclusion: Labubu dolls have ignited a significant market frenzy, positioning Popmart as a formidable competitor in the toy industry. However, the sustainability of this success hinges on the brand’s ability to establish lasting emotional connections beyond current trends.

3. Pittsburgh’s Transformation into the “Austin of the East” with AI Investments

Overview: Pittsburgh is set to undergo a massive transformation fueled by a $90 billion investment pledge from 20 leading companies in tech, energy, and finance. This initiative aims to position Pittsburgh as a major hub for artificial intelligence (AI), akin to Austin’s status in the tech world.

Key Points:

• Investment & Economic Impact:

  • Nick: “Pittsburgh is getting $90 billion from 20 companies to transform into Steel City 2.0.” (10:22)
  • The plan involves building AI computing data servers, powered by natural gas and potentially nuclear energy, leveraging Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy.

• Collaborative Effort:

  • Organized by David McCormick, the new Republican senator from Pennsylvania, and former hedge fund manager.
  • The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit featured top executives from Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS, Alphabet, major oil, nuclear, natural gas companies, and leading financial firms like BlackRock and Blackstone.

• Strategic Vision:

  • Jack: “Energy is the answer to why cities become great.” (13:27)
  • Pittsburgh’s historical ties to steel production are being repurposed to support the energy-intensive demands of AI computing.
  • Initiatives include constructing data servers and securing energy sources necessary for large-scale AI operations.

• Challenges & Uncertainties:

  • Nick: “There’s no guarantee all of this or any of this ends up happening.” (12:58)
  • The ambitious plan lacks detailed execution strategies, raising questions about its feasibility and long-term impact.

• Comparative Analysis:

  • Nick & Jack: Contrast Pittsburgh’s potential with Austin’s growth, emphasizing Pittsburgh’s strategic advantage through its energy resources.

• Potential Outcomes:

  • If successful, Pittsburgh could rival Austin as a leading tech and innovation center in the eastern United States.
  • Jack: “Why do cities become great? The answer is always energy.” (13:27)

Conclusion: Pittsburgh’s $90 billion investment initiative represents a bold effort to reinvent the city as a powerhouse in AI. By leveraging its robust energy infrastructure and fostering collaboration among key industries, Pittsburgh aims to emulate Austin’s success as a tech hub, positioning itself for substantial economic growth and innovation.

4. Additional Stories

a. U.S. Tariff Revenue Record:

• In June, the United States collected a record $27 billion in tariff fees.
• Nick: “Is there retaliation? Not really. Only China and Canada have retaliated against Trump’s tariffs so far.” (21:32)
• The revenue has implications for the U.S. Treasury and national debt, but it comes at a cost to American companies.

b. Big Bank Earnings Surge:

• Major U.S. banks reported strong second-quarter earnings, driven by increased trading activities amid stock market volatility.
• Nick: “Goldman Sachs's profits surged to nearly $4 billion in the second quarter.” (21:53)

c. Fyre Fest Sold:

• Fyre Fest, the notorious failed music festival, was officially sold for $245,300 on eBay.
• Jack: “The most controversial non-event event in history could have been yours for $200,000.” (22:23)

d. Best Fact: Emoji Statistics:

• Nick: “The most popular emoji on earth is the red heart. The least popular globally is the snail, and in the U.S., it’s the middle finger.” (23:10)
• Highlights the cultural significance and usage trends of different emojis.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nick on Yeti Stocks & Fed Chairman:

  • “[00:12] Nick: Well, there you go. YETI stocks rose yesterday as President Trump denied he's firing the chairman of the Fed.”

• Jack on French Public Holidays:

  • “[01:32] Jack: France could soon lose two public holidays. … This would be the biggest change to the calendar since leap year.”

• Nick on Pittsburgh’s AI Investment:

  • “[10:28] Nick: Pittsburgh is getting $90 billion from 20 companies to transform into Steel City 2.0.”

• Jack on Labubu vs. Mattel:

  • “[19:25] Jack: Popmart may win the battle, but Mattel will probably win the war.”

Conclusions and Insights

1. Innovation in Traditional Markets:

   • David’s CodBar exemplifies how traditional markets like protein supplements can be disrupted with unconventional products, emphasizing purity and high protein content.

2. The Power of Fads vs. Timeless Brands:

   • Popmart’s Labubu dolls showcase the volatile nature of trend-driven products. While they achieve rapid market penetration, sustaining success requires deeper brand connections, as demonstrated by Mattel’s enduring popularity.

3. Strategic Economic Transformations:

   • Pittsburgh’s ambitious investment in AI infrastructure underscores the importance of strategic planning and resource allocation in transforming industrial cities into modern tech hubs.

4. Economic Policies and Corporate Performance:

   • The discussion on U.S. tariff revenues and big bank earnings highlights the intricate balance between governmental policies and corporate profitability, reflecting broader economic dynamics.

5. Cultural Trends and Consumer Behavior:

   • The exploration of Labubu dolls and emoji usage provides insights into how cultural phenomena and digital communication trends influence consumer behavior and market strategies.

Overall, this episode of The Best One Yet offers a comprehensive analysis of innovative products, strategic economic initiatives, and evolving cultural trends, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of current business landscapes.