Duolingo took to social media on Tuesday to announce that it has killed off its mascot, or, relatively, the fowl has died.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally often known as The Duolingo Owl, is lifeless,” the submit begins. “Authorities are at present investigating his dying and we’re cooperating absolutely.”
We propose checking the advertising and marketing division for proof.
“TBH, he most likely died ready so that you can do your lesson, however what do we all know?” the corporate continued. “In the event you really feel inclined to share, please additionally embrace your bank card quantity so we will mechanically signal you up for Duolingo Max in his reminiscence.”
In a assertion to a CBS affiliate, a Duolingo spokesperson confirmed that as part of a brand new model advertising and marketing marketing campaign, Duo is “lifeless” however folks should not really submit their bank card data, as that a part of the submit was speculated to be a joke.
The owl’s recognition has taken on a lifetime of its personal, with the fowl even making an look at Berlin Vogue Week final month.
It isn’t the primary time Duolingo has been unconventional in its strategy to advertising and marketing (and conferences). In November 2024, the corporate changed CEO Luis von Ahn on its earnings name with its purple-haired chatbot, Lily.
“Over time, she’s going to do an increasing number of of my job, and I can simply retire,” von Ahn stated, on the time.
The Duolingo fowl throughout the Marina Hoermanseder Vogue Present as a part of the Berlin Vogue Week AW25 at Resort Oderberger on January 31, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. (Photograph by Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder by way of Getty Photos)
The submit ends with the corporate asking everybody to “respect Dua Lipa’s privateness at the moment.”
The corporate’s TikTok account has been posting about Dua Lipa for years, with Duolingo’s social media workforce conserving the gag related with common posting.
Though the corporate did not say what killed the owl, the advertising and marketing workforce determined to do that in the midst of the worldwide fowl flu, although it isn’t clear if that was intentional or ill-timed. Nonetheless, we’ll look ahead to the ultimate post-mortem.
Associated: From an Airbnb Keep at Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse to Frozen Yogurt Flavors and Park Benches—The ‘Barbie’ Film Crew Is Going All In on Advertising and marketing
