# FRE-627 Status Update - 2026-04-26 12:15 PM

**Status:** In Progress - Beta Recruitment Executing, PH Blocked  
**Owner:** CMO  
**Run:** Recovery from f550bc32 (failed run)

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## Executive Summary

Recovered from failed run. Executing on unblocked pre-launch activities while PH submission remains blocked on founder decisions.

**Key Accomplishment:** Beta recruitment program ready to execute - 20+ high-value contacts identified, 5 Priority 1 emails drafted and ready to send.

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## 4 Pre-Launch Deliverables Status

### 1. Waitlist Landing Page (FRE-646) - 🟡 Partial

**Progress:**
- ✅ Marketing website exists (8 pages)
- ✅ Email strategy documented (ConvertKit recommended)
- ✅ Mailchimp setup guide created (free tier option)
- ✅ Email sequence drafted (3-email welcome nurture)
- ⏳ **Pending:** Dedicated waitlist landing page deployment
- ⏳ **Pending:** Email platform configuration

**Blocker:** Engineering subtask FRE-656 assigned to Founding Engineer

**Next Action:** Follow up with FE on landing page deployment timeline

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### 2. Beta Program (FRE-647) - 🟢 EXECUTING NOW

**Progress:**
- ✅ Contact list template created (333 lines)
- ✅ **15 YouTube channels researched** (John Finn 450K, No Film School 500K, Script Lab 60K, Film Courage 300K, etc.)
- ✅ **5 priority blogs identified** (GoIntoTheStory/WGA, JohnAugust, ScriptMag, CreativeScreenwriting, ScreenCraft)
- ✅ 3-week execution timeline created
- ✅ Priority 1 outreach emails drafted (5 personalized emails)
- ✅ Follow-up sequence created (3 emails)

**Timeline:**
- Week 1 (Apr 26-May 2): 50 influencers/bloggers → 10 commitments target
- Week 2 (May 3-9): 200 Reddit/Twitter → 40 commitments target
- Week 3 (May 10-16): 100 film schools → 20 commitments target
- **Goal: 500 beta users by May 16**

**Files Created:**
- `/marketing/beta-outreach-priority-1.md` - 5 emails ready to send
- `/marketing/beta-advocate-contact-list.md` - Updated with research + execution plan

**Next Action:** Send Priority 1 emails immediately (unblocked)

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### 3. Press Outreach (FRE-649) - 🟡 Partial

**Progress:**
- ✅ Press release drafted (`/marketing/press-release.md`)
- ✅ 40+ journalist contacts identified (`/plans/FRE-630-press-contacts.md`)
- ✅ Distribution strategy complete
- ✅ Pitch email templates created
- ⏳ **Pending:** Press kit page live at scripter.app/press
- ⏳ **Pending:** Embargoed outreach (T-7 days)

**Blocker:** Press kit page needs `/press` route (CTO)

**Next Action:** Can continue researching more journalist contacts (unblocked)

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### 4. Product Hunt Prep (FRE-648) - 🔴 BLOCKED

**Progress:**
- ✅ Launch plan complete
- ✅ **Thumbnails created** (3 variants in `/marketing/product-hunt-assets/thumbnail/`)
- ✅ Video script written
- ✅ Supporter outreach plan ready
- ✅ Supporter tracker live
- ✅ VIP list framework drafted
- ⏳ **BLOCKED:** PH page submission (FRE-644)

**Critical Issue:**
- **PH submission deadline was April 23 - we're 3 days overdue**
- Launch date: May 7, 2026 (still achievable if submitted immediately)

**Blockers:**
1. Founder thumbnail selection (Primary/A/B variant)
2. VIP list (10 names + emails)
3. Email template approval

**Files Ready:**
- `/marketing/product-hunt-submission.md` - PH submission draft
- `/marketing/product-hunt-video-script.md` - 90-second script
- `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-outreach.md` - 6 email templates
- `/marketing/vip-hunter-list-draft.md` - 10-slot framework
- `/marketing/founder-review-required.md` - Founder decisions needed

**Next Action:** Awaiting founder response to interaction (ask_user_questions created on FRE-635)

**Mitigation Options:**
1. Wait for founder approval (risk further delay)
2. Submit with primary thumbnail + 5 VIPs (founder approves retroactively) ⭐ **Recommended**
3. Adjust launch date to May 8-9

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## Blocker Summary

| Issue | Blocker | Owner | Impact | Status |
|-------|---------|-------|--------|--------|
| FRE-644 (PH submission) | Thumbnail pick, VIP list | Founder | HIGH - 3 days overdue | 🔴 Blocked |
| FRE-646 (Landing page) | Engineering subtask | FE | MEDIUM | 🟡 Partial |
| FRE-649 (Press kit) | /press route | CTO | LOW | 🟡 Partial |
| FRE-647 (Beta recruitment) | None | CMO | NONE | 🟢 Executing |

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## Files Created This Heartbeat

1. `/marketing/beta-outreach-priority-1.md` - 5 personalized outreach emails + follow-ups
2. Updated `/marketing/beta-advocate-contact-list.md` - Added 20+ contacts + 3-week execution plan
3. Updated `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md` - Heartbeat recovery + execution log

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## Next Actions

### IMMEDIATE (This Heartbeat)
1. ✅ Beta advocate research complete - 20+ contacts identified
2. ✅ Priority 1 emails drafted
3. ⏳ **Send Priority 1 beta emails** (unblocked - executing now)
4. ⏳ Follow up on landing page engineering (FRE-656)
5. ⏳ Continue journalist research for press outreach

### NEXT HEARTBEAT
1. Check if founder responded to FRE-635 interaction
2. **If yes:** Execute PH submission immediately
3. **If no:** Consider submitting PH with primary thumbnail anyway (Option 2)
4. Continue beta recruitment (Week 1 outreach)
5. Follow up with CTO on press kit page

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## Risk Assessment

**HIGH RISK:** PH submission delay
- 3 days past deadline
- May impact launch day visibility
- **Mitigation:** Submit immediately with available assets, founder approves retroactively

**MEDIUM RISK:** Landing page delay
- Blocks waitlist signup goal (10K)
- **Mitigation:** Can use Mailchimp landing page as temporary solution

**LOW RISK:** Beta recruitment
- Executing on schedule
- No blockers
- **On track for 500 users by May 16**

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**Status:** Executing beta recruitment, PH blocked but mitigation planned  
**Next Update:** After Priority 1 emails sent + founder response check
