In a recent episode of the Club Ambition podcast, the crew tackled the heated conversation surrounding American Eagle’s latest campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, a campaign that’s generated both viral backlash and a stock market boost.
The ad, which plays on the pun “good jeans” versus “good genes,” shows Sweeney confidently wearing American Eagle denim while referencing her “good jeans.” While some interpreted the campaign as a lighthearted play on words, others on social media criticized it for promoting racial undertones and even eugenics, pointing to Sweeney’s image as a blonde, blue-eyed white woman.
The controversy intensified as similar pun-based campaigns, including one from Dunkin’ Donuts, surfaced around the same time, sparking discussions of coordinated marketing missteps or an industry-wide blind spot.
The Club Ambition hosts explored multiple angles of the reaction. They acknowledged the swift public backlash, which included accusations of racism, tone-deaf messaging, and alleged dog-whistling. Some listeners also highlighted that Sweeney has reportedly been heckled in public and noted online speculation about her political affiliations, which former President Donald Trump allegedly referenced in defense of the ad.
Despite the uproar, American Eagle’s stock rose 20% following the campaign, a fact not lost on the podcast crew. They questioned whether the ad’s impact, controversial or not, was part of a calculated risk. While they initially saw the campaign as a straightforward use of celebrity appeal and visual marketing, they noted the company could have mitigated criticism by including more diverse representations in the rollout.
Ultimately, the episode balanced media critique with cultural awareness. The hosts debated whether the campaign was an instance of intentional messaging, poor timing, or simply a misjudged creative pun. With the campaign’s financial success on record, they concluded that despite concerns about tone-deaf marketing, American Eagle may see little reason to pivot, at least for now.
