Recall that the Little Black Book advertising insider website ran a story about the “PIRACY IS THE FUTURE” campaign in which it credited American Eagle Outfitters and Mr. Brad Spang in connection with the Chiat Day campaign.

I spoke to Mr. Brad Spang at American Eagle Outfitters this morning who said that neither American Eagle Outfitters nor Mr. Spang are affiliated with Chiat Day’s “PIRACY IS THE FUTURE” campaign.  “Someone” purchased ad space above the American Eagle Outfitters store in Times Square for the campaign “like anyone else would”.  Mr. Spang did not know who it was who actually purchased the billboard space.

However, Mr. Spang confirmed that he has asked that both American Eagle Outfitters and his name be removed from any connection to the campaign.  We take him at his word.

So presumably, this means that the Little Black Book got the story wrong.

However–listing AEO in the credits filled an important hole: Who paid for it?  And now that Mr. Spang has confirmed that AEO just sold the space (which may be poor judgement, but that’s not a crime), that hole is reopened.

Who is paying for this campaign?

UPDATE: American Eagle Outfitters says that they paid the band “a nice fee”.  So that’s good, right?  Although it might have been more appropriate if AEO just took the band’s music without paying them, right?  Isn’t that what this “edgy” campaign all about?  Ah, well.  I guess life doesn’t imitate art after all.  Or commerce.

UPDATE: American Eagle Outfitters also says that the band’s manager negotiated for “advertising credits” to get the billboard space in Times Square.  Great news, guys.  How will the value of those advertising credits be reflected on your 1099?  But I’m sure Chiat Day already advised you about that, right?

UPDATE:  Looks like Chiat Day took down the credit for American Eagle Outfitters on Little Black Book:  Check it out, Music Piracy. Is it Stealing or is it Sharing_ _ LBBOnline and Music Piracy. Is it Stealing or is it Sharing_ _ LBBOnline No Credit.  Abracadabra baby.