April Fool’s Day is a great opportunity for fun and light-hearted pranks, but don’t believe everything you read on April 1st. From Google Nose to WD-40 aftershave we share with you our top April Fool’s Day pranks.
WD-40 Aftershave
The sweet smell of success – back in 2010 the Connect PR team delivered an April Fool’s masterclass with our announcement that WD-40 would expand its product line to include WD-40 aftershave, ensuring its products would not only be in every shed, garage and toolbox, but also in the bedroom. Encased in the famous blue and yellow can, the aftershave even came with a new smart straw option for those who required a more precise spray. The spoof left many disappointed that their favourite spray wasn’t actually set to become a staple in their morning routine.
Big Ben going digital
BBC’s overseas news service announced that London’s iconic Big Ben was going to be given a digital facelift, with readouts being digitalised. The joke backfired on the BBC when staff received phone calls from furious listeners who opposed the change and then had to spend several days apologising to listeners for the prank.
Google Nose
In 2013 Google announced the launch of Google Nose BETA, a product that promised to ‘offer the sharpest olfactory experience available’ whilst searching for smells from the 15 million scentibyte database. The hoax product even covered mobile devices with ‘Ambient Odour Detection’, which collected smells from phones. With an introductory video explaining the programme, this prank was one not to be sniffed at.
#BootyBra
Last year British lingerie brand Curvy Kate launched the world’s first push-up bra for bottoms helping you to achieve Kim K like curves. Titled the Booty Bra, the buttock enhancing pants patented with ‘upfront engineering’ promised to accentuate curves and was available in cup sizes D, G and J. We were left wondering how many secretly wished this prank was real!
Swiss Spaghetti Harvest
Sometimes the old ones are still the best! In 1957 the BBC fooled the nation with a hoax Panorama programme showcasing Swiss farmers harvesting their spaghetti crops, resulting in a huge number of viewers contacting the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. Whilst some criticised the BBC for airing the prank during a serious factual programme, many tried planting a tin of tomato sauce and sprig of spaghetti hoping for their very own spaghetti tree.