Memeable Marketing is Winning: Timothée's Zoom Call, Steph Curry & Under Armour, Disney AI & YouTube
This episode covers five major marketing and media topics: ChatGPT's new group chat feature launching in Asian markets as a potential WhatsApp competitor; Timothée Chalamet's innovative meta-marketing campaign for A24's Marty Supreme that blurs satire and reality while creating memeable experiential moments; the breakdown of Steph Curry's 12-year Under Armour partnership and what it reveals about brands failing to read cultural shifts in athletic wear; Disney+'s controversial decision to allow AI-generated content using Disney IP and the brand safety concerns it raises; and YouTube's emergence as the premier platform for launching new media companies, with creators leaving legacy outlets for better monetization and distribution.
Key themes throughout: the shift from performance-based to culture-based marketing, the importance of experiential and memeable marketing for audience engagement, timing as brand positioning, and how video-first platforms (especially YouTube) are reshaping media consumption and creation.
[00:02-05:49] ChatGPT's Group Chat Feature - Discussion of ChatGPT's new group chat feature launched in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan, allowing up to 20 users to chat together with AI assistance for planning trips, splitting checks, and keeping tabs on decisions.
[08:01-23:35] Timothée Chalamet's Meta Marketing for Marty Supreme - Deep dive into Chalamet's 18-minute satirical Zoom call with A24's marketing team, the blurring of reality/satire, experiential marketing tactics (blimp, Wheaties box, Regal Cinemas event), and how he's creating memeable moments to build cultural relevance.
[23:35-36:16] Steph Curry & Under Armour Split - Analysis of the 12-year partnership ending, Under Armour's failures in reading cultural shifts, product missteps, the CEO's Trump endorsement controversy, and what this means for athlete endorsement deals going forward.
[36:16-47:51] Disney's AI-Generated Content Strategy - Discussion of Disney+ letting subscribers create AI content using Disney IP, concerns about brand safety for parents, comparisons to other brands' AI strategies (Coca-Cola vs. Barbour), and whether this aligns with Disney's legacy brand identity.
[48:01-1:05:50] YouTube as the Next Media Incubator - Mark's reporting on YouTube becoming the premier platform for new media companies, creators leaving legacy outlets for YouTube, monetization advantages, dynamic ad insertion, and the platform eating podcasting/audio content.