Tag: April Fools

Singapore – Durex Singapore has launched on social media its ‘Come Run’ 2024 couples’ night running event as part of its annual April Fools prank content. 

Described by Durex as the most satisfying run of the year, Come Run is an adults-only night run that invites couples to come together on 6 September (69) and finish either a 6- or 9-kilometre run at their own pace. 

As part of the prank, Durex also released an accompanying race pack of Durex, Dettol, and Tempo products like the Come Run Finisher tee, Come Run Race Bib, Durex Mutual Climax condoms, Durex Invisible condoms, Durex Play Classic H2O Lube, Dettol Wet Wipes, Tempo Petit Facial Tissue, glow sticks, and vouchers. 

While the whole event is only an April Fools prank, Durex will still be giving away their exclusive race packs to the first 100 people who take the time to actually register for the non-existent running event. 

Durex is always on top of their game when it comes to April Fools pranks on social media. The brand behind the famous condoms and personal lubricant has duped customers with marketing faux brands like Durex Smoked Sausage in 2018 and Durex Mala HotPot in 2019. 

Recently, Durex Malaysia has also released their own version of their 2024 April Fools Prank with the launch of their Durex Energy Drink. 

Jerome Goh, head of marketing for OTC and Intimate Wellness for MY and SG, shared, “Another year has gracefully unfolded, brimming with delightful deceptions and playful pranks. At Durex, we tirelessly strive to deliver unparalleled amusement and merriment to the masses as we revel in the jubilant spirit of April Fool’s Day. Firmly rooted in our DNA, we ardently believe that fun ideas breathe life into our existence. COME RUN with us! ”

Malaysia – Durex Malaysia has once again joined in on the fun with the launch of its first-ever Durex Energy Drink on social media as part of its witty annual April Fools antics. 

Durex described the drink as a specially crafted one that can boost energy levels and enhance intimate experiences. And to take it a step further, the drink also comes in different local flavours like rambutan, coconut, and dragonfruit to satisfy every adult’s ‘thirst’. 

Durex has been known for its fun and witty April Fools pranks on social media since 2018. The brand behind the famous condoms and personal lubricants has been revered by social media users for their content, especially their antics during April Fools that don’t fail to make people laugh, smile, and even throw some ‘spicy’ jokes here and there. 

The brand started their pranks by announcing the rollout of different condom flavours, like Durex Smoked Sausage in 2018 and Durex Mala HotPot in 2019, on social media. 

Jerome Goh, head of marketing OTC and intimate wellness for MY and SG, said, “Injecting excitement into life is essential, and that’s exactly what Durex aims to do. With a playful prank for April Fool’s Day, Durex brings a whole new meaning to the occasion. Think of it as an invigorating energy drink that fuels us with boundless joy, laughter, and happiness. Durex, your trusted companion, is here to make every moment in life truly meaningful! ” 

Singapore – Popular furniture brand IKEA has joined the April Fools’ quirkiness by launching its own ‘INVSBÅL’ collection, inspired by makeshift home solutions to everyday clutter, and intentionally resembles convenient solutions that don’t fully address everyday messes at home, but over time, have become part of the home—simply because we grow accustomed to it.

Launched in time for April Fool’s Day and cheekily named the INVSBÅL collection (a play on “invisible”), the range features a see-through laundry basket, a transparent picture frame, as well as colourless storage boxes and clear shoe racks. 

Moreover, the campaign’s visuals are shot in real homes and featuring relatable everyday messy situations, and seemingly showcases an INVSBÅL product that offers to “solve” the mess for a low price of just $1.04. A keen eye will notice that there is no real product pictured in the frame, and the price tag hints at the fact that the entire collection is just an April Fool’s joke.

While the products might be made up, the INVSBÅL collection aims to serve a real purpose—to shine a light on such easily overlooked messes and subtly nudge homeowners to seek better home solutions with IKEA. 

A spokesperson for The Secret Little Agency (TSLA), the agency that conceptualised this campaign, said, “Life goes by so quickly in Singapore, and little things tend to add up around the home. To keep up, we often find ourselves using quick-and-easy solutions to contain the mess, and we eventually become used to the mess itself. It’s like the mess blends in, and becomes part of the furniture. That was how the INVSBÅL collection came about.”

To achieve this, the social posts drive users to an IKEA webpage that shares more details on the INVSBÅL collection—but also cleverly leads visitors to check out other existing IKEA collections and items if you “can’t see what you’re looking for”.

In addition, IKEA Singapore also created a new trend on Instagram Stories, inviting fans to snap and share photos of their own INVSBÅL solutions at home.

Another TSLA spokesperson added, “We knew that every other brand would be jumping at the chance to share a funny joke or a prank on April Fool’s. But we wanted to go beyond that, and use April Fool’s Day as a platform to highlight a real pain point in Singaporean homes, and offer a real solution—but in a joyful and light-hearted way.”

Singapore – As part of its April Fools Day campaign, condom brand Durex in Singapore has unveiled its ‘Happiest Meal’, encouraging its consumers to ‘dig in’.

Known for their April Fools antics, Durex continues to be revered by social media users following their April Fools prank from 2018 where they rolled out different flavours such as Durex Smoked Sausage and Durex Mala HotPot in 2019. This year, the brand took a step further by introducing real food in a box.

The said meal included nuggets, fries and an ‘Invisible’ drink — which incorporated the brand’s products, ‘Invisible Extra Sensitive’, ‘Fetherlite’, and ‘Real Feel’, amongst others. 

‘Happiest Meal’ was also made available for one day only on April 1 at the Guardian Marina Bay Sands and Watsons Bugis Junction in Singapore.

It’s that time of the year again: April Fools’ Day just recently happened, where practical jokes and gimmicks are seemingly normalised. And of course, brands are not late in riding this day of humour and jokes–all in the name of bringing laughs to their customers and presenting themselves as a more ‘approachable’ brand.

In the Philippines, brands are no stranger to these quirky April Fools’ gags, and so we listed some of the wittiest campaigns they did for this particular day.

Jollibee

The popular Filipino fast-food chain has its own April Fools’ gag in some of its markets. In the United Kingdom, it announced that it is rebranding to ‘Jolliwasp’, a gag referring to the change of the animal mascot from a bee to a wasp. In Canada, it announced that it is launching a limited-edition Jolly Spaghetti sandwich.

The Jolly Spaghetti sandwich from Jollibee Canada
The ‘Jolliwasp’ rebrand at Jollibee United Kingdom

Angkas

If the popular motorcycle-hailing app is known for just motorcycles, is there a new vehicle they can tap next? As a gag, Angkas has announced the launch of ‘Bang-kas’, a play on the word bangka (vernacular for boat) and includes boat-related services such as boat-hailing, package delivery via boat, and we kid you not–watersports.

McDonald’s

Ever got that unsure moment when you were asked ‘what would you like to eat?’ Worry not, because these latest April Fools’ packaging gags from McDonald’s Philippines encapsulate that feeling. Some of the phrases include kahit ano (just anything), ikaw bahala (up to you), and iniisip ko pa (I’m still thinking).

The McDonald’s PH Packaging Gag – Ewan (I Don’t Know)
The McDonald’s PH Packaging Gag – Kahit Ano (Just Anything)

Pizza Hut

Playing on the recent Internet craze on grilled balut (cooked fertilised duck egg), the Philippine arm of Pizza Hut has announced that it is launching a stuffed crust pizza with grilled balut.

Chooks to Go

This popular Filipino roast chicken brand just seemingly ignored its tagline Masarap kahit walang sauce (Delicious even without sauce), as it now announced that its roast chicken will now include a separate sauce packet for each purchase.

Trust

This April Fools gag will just make you ask “why”, as the condom brand Trust has said that it is launching a fried chicken-flavoured condom.