Podcast Summary:

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
Episode 475: What’s Up THIS WEEK: Email More NOW! Google AI Mode Game-Changer...TikTok Horrible Trend 😳
Date: January 13, 2026

Overview

This episode of “Do This, NOT That!” delivers a rapid-fire roundup of current marketing trends and industry updates. Host Jay Schwedelson, in his trademark energetic and candid style, highlights Google’s latest AI-powered retail developments, strategic email marketing timing, offbeat pop culture news, and a bizarre TikTok trend. The episode is concise yet impactful, loaded with actionable insights and Jay’s colorful personal takes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Google’s New Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) – A Game Changer

• [00:20–04:30]
  • Major Announcement: Google launches the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), instantly integrating shopping and transactions right into search and Gemini AI mode. Users can now complete purchases, book demos, or make donations within Google, without visiting external sites.
  • How It Works:

    “When you ask for that new piece of luggage… what’s going to pop up with their AI mode instantly are different luggage options that you can buy… You could pick the color, you could see if there’s any discounts, pricing, whatever… checkout right now using Google Pay… They now have 25 of the world’s biggest retailers already on board, including Shopify and Walmart and Home Depot and Target and Best Buy and Wayfair and Etsy and all of them.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [01:19–02:14]

  • Implications for Marketers:
    • Marketers must shift focus from driving clicks to driving influence.
    • Success becomes about visibility in the AI moment, not site visits.
    • Applies to B2C, B2B (e.g., SaaS demo bookings), and even nonprofits (e.g., instant donations).

    “Your marketing is no longer about generating clicks back to your site. It is generating influence… much more of a be everywhere type of thing.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [03:42–04:07]

  • Action Step: Marketers should get familiar with UCP and optimize for AI-driven commerce.

2. Email Marketing: Why the Next 10 Days Are Critical

• [04:45–06:20]
  • Email Gold Rush Window: January 20th–30th is a “top-five 10-day period” for email marketing effectiveness (based on World Data Research).
  • Why Now?:
    • Post-holidays, people’s motivation picks up; intention to “kick butt” this year is high.
    • Not connected to any holiday—an untapped opportunity.

    “I would really think about, believe it or not, sending out more promotional emails from January 20th and January 30th. This is a great, great period to actually generate some of your best results of the year.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [06:04–06:20]

  • Action Step: Plan intentional, high-impact email campaigns during this window.

3. Vending Machine Oddities & Retail Trends

• [06:30–08:05]
  • News Nugget: Sprinkles Cupcakes (famous for cupcake vending machines) went out of business.
  • Strange Vending Machine Sightings: Champagne (in airports!), and “not-good” french fries in Boise, Idaho.

  “Some of these vending machines, though… First of all, I saw a vending machine for champagne. I don’t know who is going to the airport—oh, I’m going to get a bottle of champagne from a vending machine in the airport. It’s the weirdest thing of all time.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [07:02–07:20]

  • Takeaway: Retail innovation sometimes gets weird; not all ideas are hits.

4. Pop Culture Quick Hits

• [08:05–09:40]
  • Golden Globes Recap: Amy Poehler won best podcast for “Good Hang”; Jay applauds the win.
  • Hot Take: Jay finds Dax Shepard “very annoying,” despite his podcast’s nomination.

    “I find Dax Shepard annoying. Is that bad? Can I say that?”
    — Jay Schwedelson [08:45–08:50]

  • Upcoming Release: “Star Search” reboot coming to Netflix—Jay isn’t interested, citing competition show fatigue.

5. TikTok ‘Perfume Talk’ & The Scent Stacking Craze

• [09:50–12:00]
  • What’s Happening: Billions of views for scent stacking—layering multiple perfumes to create personal “signature” scents.

  “This is real. And it’s this concept of scent stacking… That is so disgusting. What are we doing? People need to stop.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [10:40–10:57]

  • Personal Rant: Jay shares a cringe encounter with an over-perfumed jogger at 7:30 am, and empathizes with perfume salespeople (“I would have the worst headache…”).
  • Public Health PSA: “Everybody needs to put on less. You smell great. You’re doing fine. Not everybody needs to smell you if they’re in the car on the other side of the street.” [11:43–11:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Google AI Shopping:
  “It is no longer, your marketing is no longer about generating clicks back to your site. It is generating influence.” — Jay Schwedelson [03:45]

• On Email Timing:
  “You’re missing out on some of the best opportunity to drive performance.” — Jay Schwedelson [06:17]

• On Bizarre Vending Machines:
  “It’s the weirdest thing of all time… like, let’s just shove anything we can into an actual vending machine.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [07:19–07:24]

• On Dax Shepard:
  “Maybe I’m annoying. I definitely am annoying. Whatever. Who cares?”
  — Jay Schwedelson [08:54]

• On TikTok’s Scent Stacking:
  “That is so disgusting. What are we doing? People need to stop.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [10:57]

• On Perfume Overload:
  “If I work there in one of those perfume counters, I would have the worst headache. I would want to throw up within, I don’t know, an hour.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [11:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:20–04:30 | Google UCP & AI Shoppable Search | | 04:45–06:20 | Email Marketing Timing Window | | 06:30–08:05 | Vending Machine & Retail Trends | | 08:05–09:40 | Golden Globes & Star Search Pop Culture | | 09:50–12:00 | TikTok Perfume Talk & Rant on Scent Stacking |

Takeaways & Action Steps

• Investigate Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol: If you’re in marketing, familiarize yourself with UCP and optimize your visibility in AI-driven shopping environments.
• Maximize Email Outreach January 20–30: Use this unique period for increased promotional email sends—data backs it as a prime window.
• Stay Skeptical of Retail Fads: Not every new vending machine idea or pop culture craze will stick—remain discerning.
• Be Mindful of Sensory Marketing: The scent-stacking trend is popular, but overdoing fragrance is off-putting to many.

Jay’s signature:
“Check out Google stuff. Get your emails out the door. Make it a great week and hit me up at jschwedelson.com… Go out there and crush it.” [12:10–end]

This lively, informative episode is ideal for marketers eager to stay on the cutting edge, delivered with Jay’s irreverent humor and practical focus.