American Eagle Shares Soar 30% on Sydney Sweeney Ad Campaign Boost

American Eagle Outfitters experienced a significant surge in its stock price, rising over 30% following the success of its controversial advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The campaign, which played on the pun between "genes" and "jeans," sparked backlash over perceived racial undertones but also drove record-breaking new customer acquisition and increased brand awareness across demographics, as confirmed by CEO Jay Schottenstein and CMO Craig Brommers. The ads helped the company exceed second-quarter revenue and earnings estimates, with over 700,000 new customers gained and strong sales continuing into August. Additionally, American Eagle's collaboration with NFL star Travis Kelce further amplified its appeal to younger consumers, generating billions of ad impressions and reinforcing its market position. Despite political controversy and criticism from some online voices, including debates on race and Western beauty standards, the campaign received public support from President Donald Trump, who praised Sweeney and the brand's success. Market analysts anticipate continued momentum for American Eagle as it leverages these celebrity endorsements ahead of the holiday season.