Back to school with a new mobile phone

In its latest promotion, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is getting its younger customers right where they live: their mobile phones.

In a back-to-school offer from July 21 through August 3, every customer who tries on a pair of AE jeans receives a free smartphone after an instant discount. There is a small catch—the consumer must cover the cost of a new two-year service plan.

Customers can choose from more than 40 phones from a variety of brands including BlackBerry and Android smartphones. Every customer who takes advantage of the promotion will also receive a $25 AE Money Card redeemable online or in stores.

Online shoppers are not eligible for the phone, but if they purchase AE jeans during the promotion, they will receive the $25 AE Money Card in the mail.

“American Eagle Outfitters wants to send our customers back to school in style with new denim and a new phone,” says Fred Grover, executive vice president of marketing, American Eagle Outfitters, No. 51 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide. “This promotion adds a level of excitement and fun to our customers’ shopping experience, as well as making a powerful statement about our confidence in the denim collection.”

As customers exit an AE fitting room after trying on jeans, they will receive a special card that explains how to select their phone and carrier at AE.com/jeans. The new phone and $25 AE Money Card is sent to the customer via FedEx. Users will be given the opportunity to download an AE logo to their phone desktop that acts as a direct link to the AE m-commerce site.