April Fools’ Day is a time for playful mischief. In the world of marketing, it is also a huge opportunity. Major brands will often spend a lot of time and money to create elaborate, fake products and announcements. These pranks are designed to get a laugh, to go viral, and to show a more human and humorous side of the company. Here are five of the most famous and successful pranks that major brands have pulled on their own shoppers.
1. Burger King’s “Left-Handed Whopper”
This is one of the most legendary April Fools’ Day pranks of all time. In 1998, Burger King took out a full-page ad in USA Today. The ad announced the launch of the new “Left-Handed Whopper.” It claimed that all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the comfort of left-handed customers. The prank was so convincing that thousands of people went to Burger King that day to order one.
2. Taco Bell “Buys” the Liberty Bell
In 1996, Taco Bell pulled off a massive and audacious prank. The company ran full-page ads in major national newspapers. The ads announced that Taco Bell had purchased the Liberty Bell to “reduce the country’s debt.” They said they were renaming it the “Taco Liberty Bell.” The prank caused a brief but very real national panic. Thousands of concerned citizens called the National Park Service to complain.
3. Google’s “Smell-o-Vision”
Google is famous for its elaborate April Fools’ Day jokes. One of its most memorable was the 2013 launch of “Google Nose.” The company claimed that its new “Smell-o-Vision” technology would allow you to search for and to smell different things right through your computer screen. They even created a very convincing promotional video. The prank was a perfect satire of the tech industry’s constant and sometimes absurd innovations.
4. Warby Parker’s “Warby Barker”
The trendy eyeglasses company Warby Parker is known for its clever marketing. For one April Fools’ Day, the company announced the launch of “Warby Barker.” This was a new line of eyewear specifically for dogs. The prank was so popular and so well-executed that the company eventually turned it into a real, albeit small, side project. They even created a real website for the fake brand.
5. Cheetos Lip Balm
The snack food giant Frito-Lay once announced that it was releasing a new, Cheetos-flavored lip balm. The announcement was accompanied by a realistic-looking product image. The idea of a cheese-dusted lip balm was so bizarre and repulsive that it instantly went viral. The prank was a huge success. It generated a massive amount of free publicity and social media buzz for the brand.
A Masterclass in Marketing
These famous pranks are a masterclass in modern marketing. They show that a brand can connect with its customers by being playful and by not taking itself too seriously. These jokes are a welcome and very funny break from the usual, more deceptive tricks of the retail world. They are a reminder that sometimes, the best way to win a customer’s loyalty is to simply make them laugh.
What is your favorite prank that a major brand has ever pulled? Let us know in the comments!
What to Read Next
- 8 Grocery Pranks That Got Shoppers Kicked Out of Stores
- 12 Things That Were Normal in the ’90s But Would Be Banned Today
- 5 Times Fast Food Workers Went Viral for Saying What It’s Really Like Behind the Counter
- Why Costco’s New Pizza Rule Has Customers Outraged
- 6 Times Cashiers Warned Customers Not to Buy Certain Items
The post 5 Times Major Brands Pulled a Prank on Their Shoppers appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
