Okay, let's get into it. Is the new Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad campaign racist?

likehelpfulfunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

No. They’re saying she has great “genes” because she’s hot, not cause she’s white.

They probably could’ve done something a lot better, but influencer/celebrity as an idea is the only thing that wins now.

likefunny

Nope and she looks great!

like
Recent IconRecent

Yes, next question.

likefunny

That’s scary that you can’t tell.

like

It must be exhausting getting outraged at anything and everything on the daily

likeuplifting

People love to get offended

likehelpful

No. It’s the equivalent of people freaking out over the green M&M being too woke.

like

It’s neither racist nor any good. Let’s move on

like

feels like bad 90s advertising.

No and you’ve lost the plot if you think so

likesmarthelpful

I think it sounds a bit like a racist dog whistle, especially the video where she talks about genes being passed down. But I think it was intended to be nothing deeper than “we sell jeans and Sydney Sweeney is hot”.

But sure, let’s keep getting mad about this instead of literally everything else going on.

like

There are literal genocides happening today, slavery, children starving, wars, etc.

People here don’t seem to realize they have it so good that their only complaint is a tv commercial about jeans.

And let’s be realistic for a moment….put a black woman in place of Sydney and this campaign would be lauded.

Not every commercial has to feature a black person or lgbtq member.

like

Your opinion is subjectively more valued if you have an MBA

funnylike

You are consistent! As a commenter, you are proof that lot of things are possible if you go “all in” on a POV! 😄😄

likefunny

Yes but racism aside, it’s still boring and she’s cringey

like

These comments demonstrate how bad ideas get through the door with no one saying, “Hey this might come off as a little racist to some of our brand’s audience, how can we push the idea and make it better?”

AE’s stock value went up in anticipation of sales that aren’t following, and they have alienated a portion of their customer base that were hard won over the last decade. They created a campaign that seems mostly to appeal to a demographic that does not buy their clothing. Whether or not it’s intentionally racist, it’s incredibly dumb to burn brand equity like that.

like

No. We endured a slew of obese women in ads telling us they're pretty and healthy for half a decade. One hot blonde woman with a giant cans has made everyone's heads explode. It's a fact she has good genes. She's hot. They could keep the campaign going and say other hot ppl have good genes, if they even needed to. The ad was clearly successful. Look at their stock prices. We aren't here to socially engineer 2 million years of biological facts. We're here to sell items to consumers.

likesmartfunny

ACD1 - Correct. It's like that children's tale "the emperor's new clothes". It's a lie that everyone bought in on for fear of speaking out. It's subversion and social engineering It's nor factual. It's forced.

Marketing designer 1 - I am not a stock owner in this brand or group, no. But if I were the client or the agency that had this client relationship, those numbers would be great. Strong stocks are often a sign of a strong company. The board would love those numbers, and love who helped provide them. Giving this agency more money and notoriety and (hopefully) the ppl at that agency more money. Cuz that's why we all do it. Money.

like

Yes - we don’t live in a vacuum - given the political and cultural climate, context is key. Also it’s cringey.

like

Yes, and I am protesting by never wearing jeans again. Ever. Sorry, Not Sorry.

likefunny

Nope! It was a witty play on words that I would be willing to bet nobody at the agency even considered that this might offend anyone.

like

It’s heartening to see that we’re still getting all worked up over the same stuff we got all worked up about in 1980. There isn’t an original idea here.

https://youtu.be/AXzR5b6HoIA?si=NZhPFahMSdcbizQ9

like

It was a risk and in bad taste, unless they are planning more campaigns with more beautiful people of different races and ethnicities. The whole point is it IS playing on genes/jeans, and so hopefully they considered the importance of expanding on the definition of "good genes."

like

Yeah I think this would be a pretty good solve, although it still feels like a "these jeans are not for uggos" thing

like

Yes and to think otherwise is not just dumb, but dangerous too.
Eugenics -> superior race -> genocide

like

Strategist 3 - the irony is, I do understand how narratives in mass media can be used to further dangerous rhetoric and ideologies. You seem to adhere to just one of those ideologies made popular in the last 10 years. Highlighting the beauty of one group does not detract beauty from others. In fact, what you're saying is there's only one group who isn't allowed to be beautiful or talk about having great genes. Because recognizing what's right in front of you is some dog whistle? No, that's lazy. And it's a learned, honestly trained, reflex from one of those dangerous rhetorics or ideologies you spoke of.

like

It's not.

like

Related Posts

For those who had a successful pregnancy with ivf, do you remember when or if you had the symptoms? I am now 10 days post transfer and dont really feel anything except lazy and tired but that could also be from progesterone supplements.

like
like

If you were to articulate the relationship between change management and value realization, how would you do so? To your mind, is change management responsible for value realization? If so, how do?

like

Hello! I work in change management and am assigned to an IT POM transformation. I’m still in my fact finding/change readiness analysis phase, but struggling with the senior leadership team. Does anyone have any lesson learned or best practices in eliciting feed back from senior leaders? think SVP and above? I thought about focus groups, but their time is limited. Also, survey response rate tends to be low for these guys. Any ideas???

like

Hello Fishes,
Looking for a job change in DevOps role, please help with referrals.
Experience:5 years
Skillset: Linux, Docker, K8s, Python/Shell, Jenkins/GitLab CI, release management.
Notice period: 1 month

like
likeupliftingfunny

c9 salary in Citi India?

like

Had interview rounds with client, director, partner however no round with HR but today got a mail for documents. Can i expect HR round now?

like

Accenture offering crazy hikes what can be the reason?

like

How will be the life of a senior software developer - frontend will be in Freshworks?

I might be in Freshservice Team.

What is the range of annual stock refresher for Software Engineer II(62 level) at Microsoft, Bangalore?

likeuplifting

Is it safe to join CISCO? I have heard the layoffs happens there yearly.

like

What is the typical first level of “off grid” salary (ie 2022 base salary for class of 2013)? Asking for NY, M&A, AmLaw100 market.

like

Hi all, looking at exit paths, 3 years post MBA at MBB, would love some advice! Leaving aside company & comp, curious to get thoughts on roles & career paths.

What do you think of Operations (think run the core of the business) vs. Bizops?

I'm leaning Bizops since it's more similar to consulting and may be a smoother transition, but what's the career path there, if you already enter at a Director level? Would Operations position me better for future roles and complement my consulting exp?

like
like

Any insight into Robins Kaplan? IP lit, considering a lateral there. Maybe a bit small for the Big Law bowl but hey Big Law is an arbitrary designation anyway.

like

Hi all, im moving to London next year and looking to discuss roles in S&C - currently a SM at KPMG in our operations team (supply chain & retail). Anyone in that area keen to give me some info?

like

Any interview experience at paytm and PayU for data science role

like

Sorry is someone has asked this already. But masters vs certs which one gets you more money ?

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Manager texted me at ~10pm asking for a non-critical update. I chose not to respond (until morning) because I don't want to allow a bad habit to form. Thoughts?

like

Hypothetically, what might happen, if Strat said to fishbowl they needed a virtual hug? Other than CD potentially saying something snarky and mean ...hypothetically only.

like

Anyone still being asked to come into the office for pitches?

like

I'm so sick of this agency 🙄

like

Hi friends, I am reading this book ‘radical cander’ and was wondering if you have Fav way/ example of receiving and giving tough feedback? Or have any stories about feedback that have stuck with you through your career.

like

Okay let's say I got a job in the marketing department at Netflix. Would it be a plus to have a company like them on my resume, or make it harder to get back into an agency later on?

like

Is anyone else having trouble just BEING back at the office… for a full day? Even if it’s hybrid. It’s like driving me insane just sitting here in silence and making small talk from 9-5:30. I feel so trapped.

like

Ted Royer helping JL win VW. Rumor or true?

likefunny

Does anyone know of any platforms that are good for social media analytics, essentially one that can house data from multiple sources including Facebook, Instagram and Twitch?

like

Future 'Havas Health & You'ers (yes I know terrible name)... what's the verdict. Are they moving the 200 Hudson folks to 200 Madison?

like

How do some of y’all manage to go 2+ years without a raise? Like are you just really good at budgeting?

like

Like this post if you want to TP one of Sir Martin's houses with me.

like

What, exactly, are these Archive global creative "rankings" based on? I see people posting/humbled-and-honored'ing on LinkedIn and feel like posting that I'm the #17 CD/AD/Freelancer as ranked by both Better Homes & Gardens AND Cat Fancy Magazines.

likeupliftingfunny

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever gotten in this business?

Mine, as an account person: “You should take more credit for the creative that’s presented.”

funny

Love the role and opportunity, but anyone ever turn down a job offer because their prospective office looked like crap? Think 1980's old school office.

like

Thoughts on GALE? Just been offered a job there for paid social and wondering how their culture is? Thanks

like

Weekend chatter. What movie makes you cry every time you watch it? And what scene? I'll start: perks of being a wall flower when he calls his sister when she's at the party

like

I need infographic tips please!

likefunny

The agency I work at has been struggling for more than 1.5 years. A mass exodus ensued naturally. Do I stay or go too? I'm not that unhappy and things have to get better?

like

Anybody have success requesting to go from 100% on one account to 50/50 or at least floating around a bit more? Any tips welcome 🙏

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal