US EditionWhat We Can Learn From Those American Eagle and Dunkin Ads
UNITED STATES, AUG 1 – Dunkin's ad featuring Gavin Casalegno sparked debate over genetics-themed marketing, following American Eagle's campaign with Sydney Sweeney that generated over $65 million in free advertising.
- On July 29, Dunkin' Donuts launched a playful ad featuring Gavin Casalegno referencing his genetics, with social media scrutinizing the campaign's implications.
- Following the July 23 launch, American Eagle unveiled its 'The Sydney Jean' with Sydney Sweeney, which critics linked to eugenics, drawing comparisons to Dunkin's genetics ad.
- This past week, social media users discussed the ad's genetics mention, with some comments gaining significant attention and dividing opinions, as French explained.
- After online backlash, Dunkin' Donuts saw several users pledge to boycott, while Steven Cheung dismissed the reaction as 'warped, moronic, and dense liberal thinking.'
- Despite the controversy, American Eagle has driven over four billion impressions and secured more than $65 million in free advertising since July 23, despite reporting a $68 million loss in May 2025.
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Mythbusted: American Eagle and Dunkin' and the risk of ignoring cultural context in ads
American Eagle has joined the increasingly long list of brands that somehow didn’t see it coming. Like Bud Light, Target and Jaguar Land Rover before it, the retailer stepped into the culture wars with the kind of casual confidence that suggests senior marketers are still underestimating how combustible “just another campaign” can be. In this case, it was an ad featuring a white, blue-eyed blond film star Sydney Sweeney praising the culture of …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right7Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Right
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Right
54% Right
L 23%
C 23%
R 54%
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