An ad about jeans. A storm of global opinions. And a brand caught in the middle.
In this episode of Making the Moment, host Aja Bradley Kemp dives deep into the viral “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” ad that dominated headlines and split the internet—with hot takes from Donald Trump, Doja Cat, and everyone in between. But was this viral moment a marketing masterstroke or a brand misstep?
Joined by a panel of seven expert marketers, including Hailey Knott, the former American Eagle social media lead, we explore what this media storm reveals about risk, reputation, and relevance in an always-on, always-reacting world.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways for marketers navigating today’s cultural and reputational minefield:
- When does disruptive marketing cross the line into divisiveness?
- Why agency-brand dynamics and internal culture shape crisis outcomes
- Why having a crisis playbook is non-negotiable for bold campaigns
- What Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect and demand from the brands they support
If you are a brand marketer, CEO, or social media manager you do not want to miss this episode!
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- Host: Aja Bradley Kemp
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