Sydney Sweeney ad campaign sends American Eagle – Business News
American Eagle Outfitters shares soared into “meme stock” territory — after the teenager retailer revealed Sydney Sweeney is main a steamy new ad campaign for the autumn.
The company’s shares surged practically 10% on Thursday after it unveiled its new advertising blitz, which options the “Euphoria” star sporting a denim jacket over her in any other case naked torso.
In a sultry video spot, Sweeney leans underneath the open hood of a classic Mustang GT350 in a tight tank high, then slams the hood shut — and wipes her arms on her butt earlier than hopping into the car and peeling off.
Sydney Sweeney fronts American Eagle’s fall denim campaign, serving to ignite meme stock buzz across the model. American Eagle
The edgy advertisements appeared to defy the “wokism” recently embraced by some main manufacturers — generally with disastrous results, based on commenters on social media.
“Based ad campaigns are back, and wokery is gasping for breath,” commented X consumer Zia Yusuf — utilizing the Gen Z time period “based” that sometimes signifies one thing which is controversial but true.
“Take note Jaguar,” Yusuf added, referring to the UK car maker’s flopped ad campaign final fall that includes androgynous fashions.
American Eagle shares have gained 10% right this moment (including $200 million of market cap) after unveiling a new ad campaign fronted by Sydney Sweeney.Based ad campaigns are back, and wokery is gasping for breath.Take notice Jaguar. pic.twitter.com/W7pQRUNKt4— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) July 24, 2025
“Sydney Sweeney drops a cheeky ad, American Eagle stock soars 22%,” one other X consumer gleefully noticed. “Woke’s dead, baby. Woke’s dead.”
American Eagle joins a risky cohort of newly anointed meme shares, together with GoPro and Krispy Kreme, which noticed sharp price swings in Wednesday’s session.
Earlier within the week, meme merchants targeted on names like Opendoor Technologies and Kohl’s, creating temporary rallies pushed largely by social media buzz slightly than earnings or company information.
The stock surged on Wednesday after the company rolled out the ad campaign that includes Sweeney. Google Finance
Analysts and merchants famous that the Sweeney campaign had helped reframe sentiment across the company, whose shares had fallen 35% this yr forward of Wednesday’s close.
The retailer’s robust model recognition and more than 13% short curiosity, based on FactSet knowledge, made it a natural magnet for meme stock merchants looking for short squeezes and speculative positive factors.
Chatter about American Eagle gained momentum late Wednesday on the favored Reddit discussion board Wall Street Bets — best identified for its function within the 2021 GameStop and AMC rallies.
The denim-heavy campaign with Sweeney comes as retailers lean into the Western fashion revival. American Eagle
“We do not comment on trading activity or fluctuations in the stock price,” an American Eagle spokesperson mentioned. “We remain focused on executing our strategy and taking actions to position the company for long-term performance.”
American Eagle noticed a 6% stock surge after naming Sydney Sweeney the face of its fall 2025 campaign. American Eagle
Last yr, Sweeney partnered with males’s personal care model Dr. Squatch for a multi-platform advertising blitz that helped propel the company to a $1.5 billion acquisition by Unilever much less than a yr later.
The campaign — dubbed the “Body Wash Genie” — solid Sweeney in a playful, satirical function throughout TV, YouTube, podcasts and social media.
One limited-edition product, a “Bathwater Bliss” cleaning soap made with droplets from one of Sweeney’s baths, offered out immediately and triggered a frenzy of resale listings on eBay, the place particular person bars fetched as a lot as $2,000.
Sweeney’s campaign for American Eagle sparked dialogue on Reddit’s Wall Street Bets as merchants took discover. American Eagle
The campaign overwhelmed Dr. Squatch’s web site and generated huge viral buzz.
The outcomes have been staggering: Dr. Squatch acquired over 800 media placements, 11.9 billion impressions and a spike in client engagement that accelerated its retail growth and model valuation.
The campaign was described by the model as the proper combine of “ease, attitude, and a little mischief.” REUTERS
The Sweeney campaign was credited by industry observers as a key driver in Unilever’s choice to amass the company for $1.5 billion final month.
Unilever’s press release cited “viral social-first marketing strategies, partnerships with celebrities and influencers, and culturally relevant collaborations” as central to Dr. Squatch’s fast growth — a clear nod to Sweeney’s function in elevating the model.
Last yr, Crocs’ stock jumped more than 4% after its Heydude model introduced Sweeney as international spokesperson, with analysts crediting the transfer for renewed investor optimism.
A spokesperson for Sweeney declined to remark. The Post has sought remark from American Eagle.
