It’s just a continuation of the ham-fisted, shambolic “management” for which Marriott has become legend. They announced- months ago- that the sweep would happen at the beginning of the new year. Evidently they don’t believe it to be important to communicate with members about specific timeframes, other than, bizarre though it is, via an email from an exec to a member of this forum ,advising that there’ll be an announcement soon.
It stands in stark contrast to the efficiency with which SPG dealt with the introduction of the LT status changes back in 2012.