It’s almost time for the annual day of pranks and playful hoaxes from brands – April Fools’ Day.
Loathed or loved, this day has delivered some corkers in recent times.
Our very own Sean Wozencroft has compiled a list of some of his favourite recent April Fools’ Day gags pulled by brands.
Pineapple on pizza? Not at Deliveroo
Remember the great pineapple on pizza debate? Well, Deliveroo seemingly took a stand on April 1st, banning all Hawaiian pizzas from their platform. They even claimed to have gained support from major Italian restaurants and internal stakeholders before making the (fake) decision.
Bovril goes bottomless at the stadium (maybe)
Fans of the classic drink Bovril might have gotten excited about this one. They announced a partnership with Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club, to offer bottomless Bovril dispensers directly at fans’ seats. While tempting, this unfortunately turned out to be a playful April Fools’ prank.
Busch Light says ‘Pee in a Busch, Save a Tree’
This prank combined humour with a touch of environmental awareness. Busch Light launched a limited-edition ‘Pee in a Busch’ funnel kit, encouraging consumers to avoid relieving themselves on trees and instead use the reusable funnel. While the prank itself was lighthearted, the company did actually sell the funnels with all proceeds going towards tree-planting initiatives.
Scotland’s Tunnocks & Iron Bru inspired kit
This prank tapped into the 2020 Euros excitement. Tunnocks and Iron Bru revealed a new Scottish national football kit design featuring their iconic branding. The playful design received an overwhelmingly positive response, with many wanting to purchase the (non-existent) kit, proving the power of creative brand partnerships, even if they’re fictional.
McDonald’s unveils the Big McNugget Boot
Who wouldn’t want footwear inspired by their favourite fast food? McDonald’s playfully announced the Big McNugget Boot, a shoe supposedly launching through their app. While it was just an April Fools’ joke, it’s a reminder of the playful side of brand marketing.
WD-40 aftershave
Of course, I’ve saved the best until the last. Who can forget that famous WD-40 aftershave launch back in 2010? Delivered by the 8848 team, it went viral before viral existed.
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