07/22/2025
BREAKING: Shakespeare is back — and he's writing copy for Gucci.
Einstein just dropped a collab with Tesla.
And Cleopatra? She’s the new face of Fenty Beauty.
Sound insane? Impossible?
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
AI-resurrected historical icons are being reimagined as brand ambassadors.
We’re entering the most controversial frontier in marketing history.
Picture this:
Steve Jobs pitching your SaaS startup.
Napoleon launching a skincare brand.
Einstein endorsing your coaching program.
The tech is here.
The content is already rolling out.
And the ethical guardrails? Still catching up.
So the question is no longer can we —
It's 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗪𝗘?
As a marketer, three deep concerns keep me up at night:
⚠️ 1. The Trust Crisis Is Coming
When no one can tell if that “old footage” is real, what happens to brand credibility? If audiences lose faith in content, we all lose.
⚰️ 2. Consent in the Digital Afterlife
We're obsessed with data privacy for the living — but what about the dead? If descendants can’t control the use of their ancestors’ likeness, we’re walking into a legal and moral minefield.
🎭 3. The Authenticity Paradox
Brands preach authenticity while literally putting words in dead people’s mouths. The irony is not just wild — it’s dangerous.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.
Spectacularly.
Because nothing drives engagement like controversy wrapped in nostalgia.
And the first brands to walk this ethical tightrope?
They’ll own the narrative.
So what should forward-thinking marketers do?
1️⃣ Prepare for the Post-Truth Era
Build systems for content transparency. Watermark your AI content. Make your authentication strategy part of your creative process.
2️⃣ Redefine Authenticity
Stop chasing “real.” Start earning trust. Be clear when you’re using AI — and why.
3️⃣ Make Ethics Your Superpower
Innovate boldly, but draw lines thoughtfully. Your ethics advisor should be in the creative brainstorm, not just legal review.
The dead are coming — not as memories, but as market competitors.
Are you ready to compete with history?
