Distraction Marketing: Sex, Scandal, and Sydney Sweeney
American Eagle’s ad with Sydney Sweeney sent their stock flying, their mentions surging, and the internet into meltdown. But was the controversy part of the plan? In this episode, we break down how brands are using distraction and deliberate outrage to win the attention economy.

From Gwyneth Paltrow being hired as crisis cover after a Kiss Cam catastrophe, to Donald Trump’s strategic smoke bombs to bury headlines he doesn’t like, we explore how controversy converts—and when it backfires.

Plus, a surprising look at how AI adoption is following the same curve as e-commerce, and what it means for marketers.
All that, and a few hot takes from the TikTok comments section. Spoiler: Colbert vs. Rogan isn't the fight you think it is.

In this electrifying episode, we unpack three stories shaking the world right now: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron's explosive Kiss Cam scandal at a Coldplay concert—is his career truly over, or can scandals this massive become epic comebacks?

We then dive into OpenAI's game-changing ChatGPT agent, promising everyone a $38,000/year personal assistant for less than your weekly coffee spend.

Finally, we dissect CBS's cancellation of Stephen Colbert—did politics, economics, or digital disruption drive this shocking move?

Tune in as we debate scandal survival, AI taking your jobs, and mainstream media’s slow demise.

In this episode of BRANDED Weekly, we break down the brand moves (and misfires) dominating headlines:– Grok’s AI glitch: What happens when your chatbot forgets the filter?– Nvidia’s China play: Smart diplomacy or dangerous double game?– Amazon’s 4-day Prime Day: A flex or a flop?– KFC’s rebrand: Why the Colonel’s now obsessed.– Superman x Roku: Movie marketing meets voice AI.– Sprite’s spicy stunt: Burn your mouth, boost your brand.