Denim → damage control
Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle ad is making waves, but not for the reasons AE probably hoped. With wordplay like “my jeans are blue” paired with sultry stares and blue eyes, critics called out the campaign for glorifying a narrow beauty ideal that tiptoes uncomfortably close to eugenics. Internet backlash was swift, with memes, parody videos, and even Doja Cat jumping in to mock the tone-deaf messaging. Though the campaign includes a charitable angle supporting domestic violence awareness, many viewers were left asking: who thought this was a good idea, and do they even own a history book?
Chip happens
Doritos is turning up the heat with a retro-inspired campaign featuring Walton Goggins as a painfully professional plumber who only loosens up after tasting a Golden Sriracha chip. The ad, “A Spicy, but Not Too Spicy Plumber,” plays with innuendo and absurdity, swapping steamy setups for sink diagnostics and moaning for payment plans. With vintage flair, over-the-top characters, and a sausage delivery for good measure, the spot leans into humor while keeping things just this side of risqué. It’s the latest example of how brands are tapping into nostalgia to stand out, serving up throwback aesthetics with a modern twist to win over Gen Z.
The duo of our dreams
Oreo and Reese’s are putting rivalry aside (and peanut butter inside) with a mashup fans have been craving for years. Despite belonging to competing candy empires, the two are teaming up to launch a cookie-stuffed cup and a peanut butter-packed Oreo just in time for back-to-school snack runs. With snack sales slipping and cocoa prices climbing, the sweet alliance is a strategic sugar rush. It’s a double-stuffed play for attention in a world where cookies need more than creme to keep consumers hooked.
Pepper Pick
Happy August to our loyal readers! As summer flies by (sorry to break it to ya), we’re anxiously awaiting the return of all things autumn. If you haven’t yet reached the highest level of basic, we encourage you to try a PSL first thing on 8/26 so you can hang with the rest of us pumpkin peeps.
