Sports Marketing Machine Podcast

Send us a textPerformance Max (P-Max) is showing up in more agency proposals—but most teams don’t fully understand what they’re buying. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser breaks down what P-Max actually is inside Google Ads, why it sounds so attractive to sports teams, and how it’s often used to hide weak or undefined marketing strategy. You’ll learn when P-Max can help, when it hurts, and the critical questions teams should ask before letting automation take the wheel.Key Topics CoveredWhat Performance Max really does (in plain English)Why P-Max is an execution layer—not a marketing strategyHow messy data causes P-Max to optimize for the wrong winsThe danger of blended audiences and lost message controlHow agencies use P-Max as a reporting smoke screenWhen P-Max actually can work for sports teamsWhy segmentation and funnel clarity still matter in an AI worldHow to spot red flags in agency P-Max proposalsEpisode Chapters00:00 – Why Performance Max keeps showing up in agency proposals02:47 – What P-Max actually is (and how it works)05:36 – Why automation without strategy is dangerous08:58 – How P-Max steals credit and inflates “conversions”11:49 – When Performance Max can make sense for teams14:39 – Strategy over automation: the real takeawayKey TakeawaysPerformance Max is often used to mask weak strategy, not enhance strong ones.Automation simplifies execution—but it doesn’t replace thinking.P-Max is only as smart as your data (and most teams’ data is messy).Blended audiences lead to blended messaging—and wasted spend.If you can’t explain who’s buying and why, P-Max is a blindfold.P-Max works best as a supporting channel, not your entire plan.Clear funnel logic beats “AI will figure it out” every time.Sports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Discussion focuses on allocating marketing budget to capture fan contact info instead of chasing immediate ticket sales. Topics include recommended budget splits, using sponsors to boost perceived value, running opt-in campaigns independently, and follow-up plus segmentation strategies. Practical examples and a lead generation checklist highlight how growing a database lowers future ad costs and fuels long-term revenue.

Meta ads have evolved, and tightly targeting audiences is no longer effective. Recent privacy changes have made interest targeting inherently fuzzy. The key shift is moving from demographic labels to behavior-based insights. Creative content now plays a vital role in audience engagement, driving self-identification. Additionally, having too many small campaigns can hinder performance; instead, fewer campaigns with diverse creatives deliver better results. A clearer and simpler framework for 2026 emphasizes creativity and behavior over guesswork.

Jeremy Neisser predicts the future of sports marketing with key strategies for 2026. Personalization will transform ticket sales, while creative content becomes the new media buyer. He highlights the importance of buying signals over traditional tracking methods and reveals how social interactions can signal strong purchase intent. With the rise of zero-click checkouts and social commerce, reclaiming buyer data from marketplaces is vital. Neisser also emphasizes nurturing warm audiences, using persona-based campaigns, and adopting a revenue loop approach for ongoing improvement.

Jeremy Neisser audits his 2025 predictions on sports marketing, revealing what he nailed and where he flopped. AI's role in personalization shines in some areas but lags in others. Membership models are taking the lead over traditional season tickets, while short-form video has become essential for fan engagement. User-generated content outperforms polished ads in building trust. The complexities of NIL create both challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of high-quality fan experiences over mere attendance.

In 2025, the marketing landscape for sports teams shifted dramatically. Discover how buying friction dampens impulse sales and why revenue metrics quickly reveal bad campaigns. Timing proved more crucial than messaging for conversions, while clarity outshined cleverness in offers. Personalization emerged as a key revenue driver, and owned channels became indispensable. Learn why bundles outperform discounts and how focusing on single-game buyers can fuel growth. Marketing transformed into a vital revenue system, ensuring predictability over chaos.

The landscape of sports marketing has dramatically shifted post-COVID, with fans prioritizing experiences over mere transactions. Jeremy Neisser highlights how restaurants reinvented themselves and offers valuable lessons for teams. The explosion of the experience economy emphasizes the importance of creating shareable moments that capture attention. Social media now acts as a critical driver for purchasing decisions, especially for Millennials and Gen Z. By focusing on experiential marketing, sports teams can cultivate urgency and revenue without relying on discounts.

Explore the untapped potential of Q5, the hidden time frame between Christmas and New Year’s when both ad costs drop and consumer spending spikes. Discover why fewer advertisers means you can snag cheaper traffic and high conversion rates. Learn effective tactics like mystery packs and family bundles that leverage the 'treat yourself' mentality. Avoid common pitfalls such as complicated offers and pausing budgets. Enhance your strategy with storytelling ads to engage audiences, and gear up for successful ticket sales leading into the new year!

Explore the intriguing world of buyout nights in sports marketing. Learn how they can guarantee revenue and enhance game atmosphere, while also creating strong sponsor relationships. Uncover the hidden pitfalls, like training fans to expect free tickets and risking future engagement. Discover strategies for capturing audience data effectively and the importance of post-event follow-ups. With insights on managing operational challenges, this discussion provides essential tools for turning buyout nights into long-term revenue opportunities.

Discover the intriguing case of a minor league team's 'mystery pack' promotion that remarkably sold 700 opening day tickets months in advance. Explore the four key levers of success: price, surprise, giftability, and game-specific demand. Learn how perceived value can transform mystery into excitement while ensuring low-risk purchases. Jeremy shares creative templates for themed packs that can double as gifts. Plus, find out how to stir up hype for key game nights and measure the true impact of your strategy.