April fools day
1st April 2023
posted 1st April 2023
It's that time of the year again when we can all let our inner prankster out to play! If done correctly, April fools' jokes can help build brand awareness, positive association and engagement. In this article we look at some of the best and worst April Fools' pranks companies have played.
Google Nose
Over the years Google has become notorious for its April Fools' Day jokes, with the tech giant often going all-out to create elaborate pranks that are both hysterical and spectacular.
In 2013 they announced Google Nose, a new service that would allow users to use its search engine to search for smells. Have you ever wondered what the inside of a new car smells like then 'Google nose!'.
BMW - No fool
Picture the scene. It's the 1st of April and you see an advert on the front page of your local newspaper that says:
'April fools' day special. Be the first person to bring your car, along with this coupon into the BMW dealership this morning, ask for Tom and we'll swap your old car - whatever it is - with a brand new BMW.'
Would you take the bait? Well Amy and Teyana the eternal optimists decided to take a risk and won themselves a brand-new car! BMW decided to take the traditional holiday and flip it on its head with its memorable 'No Fool' campaign.
Burger King - Whopper toothpaste
In 2017 Burger King France released a video claiming that they would be releasing toothpaste based on one of their most popular burgers. The advert states that some people will do anything to keep the taste of the Whopper in their mouth (no giggling), and then cuts to a man who claims he's not brushed his teeth for two weeks to let the taste remain, thus inspiring Whopper toothpaste.
Webfactory - Websights
We've even got in on the action ourselves. In 2022 we announced a brand-new product called 'Websights'. These stylish glasses (it was claimed) would allow you to view your website anywhere, anytime. If you are still waiting for your order, we promise it will be with you shortly...
'Introducing Websights - view your website anywhere, anytime! The stylish 1970s frames and large lenses not only look great but also provide 4k UHD display for stunningly realistic detail right before your very eyes. Your website has never looked so good. Upgrade to Websights today! *Tash & mullet not included'
Lucid Mattress - The Harambed
However not all companies manage to pull of April fools' pranks quite so well. In 2016 Harambe a male western lowland gorilla gained international attention after he was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, United States after a three-year-old boy fell into Harambe's enclosure.
Harambe began to drag the boy around. The zookeepers, fearing for the boy's safety, made the difficult decision to shoot and kill Harambe. The incident sparked widespread controversy and debate about whether the zookeepers made the right decision.
Harambe became very popular in pop culture and featured heavily in Internet memes at the time. Because of this Lucid (a mattress manufacture) decided it would use this notoriety in one of its April fools' campaigns which sparked outrage at the time.
However its interesting that the video still remains on Lucid's Youtube channel to this day which does play into the old adage 'there's no such thing as bad publicity'.
Why get involved?
Playing April Fool's Day jokes can be a great way for your company to engage with your audience, generate buzz around your brand and potentially drive traffic and sales. Here are a few reasons why you might want to participate in the tradition:
Brand awareness
April Fool's Day jokes can help put your company's name in front of a larger audience. If the joke is creative and funny it may go viral and be shared widely on social media, which can help increase your brands recognition.
Positive association
If your April Fool's joke is well-received, it can help create positive associations with your brand. Consumers may see your company as playful, creative, and willing to take risks, which can help build brand loyalty.
Engagement
April Fool's Day jokes can be a way to engage with your audience in a fun and light-hearted way. This can help build a sense of community and increase your engagement on social media.
However, it's important to be mindful of your audience and ensure that your jokes are appropriate and in good taste. Jokes that are offensive, insensitive, or in poor taste can backfire and harm a company's reputation.