From producing fake reality TV shows to hiring an AI as a creative director, brands are pulling out all the stops for April Fools’ Day today.
As a treat, we’re bringing you our favorite tricks. Let’s dive in.
Duolingo teamed up with Peacock to create Love Language, a parody of the iconic British reality TV show Love Island.
In Love Language, the “hottest singles in the world will share a house in paradise in hopes of finding true love. The catch? None of them speak the same language.”
“I don’t understand a word he’s saying, but it’s so hot!” Love is Blind’s Francesca Farago says in the trailer.
Tinder pledges to ban all “fish pics” from its members’ profiles, poking fun at the quintessential man-holding-a-fish picture many on the app proudly display.
According to Tinder’s farcical press release, “92% of singles reported ‘getting the ick’ after coming across a potential match’s fish pic.”
California-based ad agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners hired its first-ever AI creative director: C.R.A.I.G.
“C.R.A.I.G. was created by observing real creative directors for hundreds of hours to ensure an authentic experience,” the narrator says. The short film references creative direction clichés.
Only Subscribers To be SHown on Twitter’s Main Page
Last week, Twitter announced that it will begin removing legacy blue verified checkmarks on April 1. Twitter users will have to purchase Twitter Blue in order to keep their checkmarks.
This week, Twitter CEO Elon Musk said only Twitter Blue subscribers will be eligible to have their tweets appear on the For You tab, which is the main page of Twitter.
Currently, Twitter is boosting the reach of 35 celebrities to keep them on the app. The secret list allegedly includes Elon Musk (of course), President Joe Biden, Ben Shapiro, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and LeBron James.
Twitter users all around are mad, including James.
Check out this Social Media Today analysis of how to evaluate whether you or your business should subscribe to Twitter Blue.
Other news
- Check out mattress startup 10:PM’s disgustingly effective launch campaign.
- The Lemon8 app, which is owned by TikTok’s parent company, rose to the Top 10 for overall app downloads in the U.S. App Store charts this week. The app has been described as a cross between Instagram and Pinterest.
- Pepsi updated its logo and visual identity for the first time in 14 years. Check out the brand’s bizarre (not fact-checked), former brand guidelines. Hopefully for Pepsi, this new logo maintains its gravitational pull.
- Levi’s is testing the use of AI models to create “a more diverse and inclusive customer experience,” said Amy Gershkoff Bolles, the company’s global head of digital and emerging technology strategy, in a statement. We think that is going to backfire. Proponents of diversity in fashion don’t just want representation—they want underrepresented (human) models to get paid and have equal opportunities. This is a bad look for Levi’s.
- The CMT Music Awards are happening this Sunday at the Moody Center. This is the first time the show will be held in Texas.
That’s all for this week’s Marketing Roundup. Check back in next Friday for more news. And subscribe to our newsletter below for additional updates.
