American Eagle vs. Dove: Great Jeans Sparked Buzz, Real Beauty Built a Brand

When it comes to marketing to women, confidence is a commodity. But while American Eagle is blowing up over its choice to release—and then continue to defend—a headline-chasing campaign, Dove’s decades-long commitment to sincerity and openness is proving that purpose still pays off.

In this episode, Tom and Veronica break down how American Eagle’s “Great Jeans” campaign went viral for all the wrong reasons, while Dove’s focus on Real Beauty continues to build lasting trust. From risky brand messaging to Gen Z credibility, we’re diving into what today’s signals say about tomorrow’s brand equity—and who really wins when it comes to heat vs. heart.

For the episode research and reference materials, visit stirlingbrandworks.com.