The Empire State Building climbing stunt is now brand-trend slop

The Empire State Building is one of (if not the most) iconic symbols of New York City, so it’s unsurprising that many people go to extreme lengths to see it. But a recent pair of visitors have taken it too far. On July 1, a couple wearing all-black masks and clothing climbed to the top of the Empire State Building’s 204-foot spire and quickly went viral for it. Holding hands at the pinnacle, the couple flew a pro-peace banner for the city to see, and even managed to get engaged and take breathtaking pictures during their expedition. The couple has since been identified as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, a couple with a daredevil past notable enough for a Netflix documentary, with the Empire State stunt just the latest in their slate of adventures (and probably a way to promote their film). By the time the couple made it back down, it wasn’t just law enforcement that was waiting for them—it was social media, too. As soon as close up images of the couple and the billowing flag dropped on sites like X and Instagram, it all quickly became a meme ripe with potential for thirsty brands trying to ride on their coat tails, turning the moment into brand slop. In real life, the couple’s black banner with white text read: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” But on social media, the banner became a template for brands looking to tap into the viral moment through their own PSAs. The UK-based retailer Currys posted an edited image of the couple and the flag, with advice about brewing tea in a kettle instead of a microwave, its post on X said. “The Empire State climbers had an important message,” stated the caption. The Empire State climbers had an important message 👀 pic.twitter.com/Gq1x11rwFb— Currys (@currys) July 2, 2026 The cookware brand Caraway issued a caution about PFAs. Brands like Petco, Loverboy, and Spritz, among dozens of others, also tapped in. And loyal sports fans expres