Duolingo goes apple picking with cheeky iPhone Duo stunt
Duolingo executed a marketing stunt outside Apple stores during the iPhone launch, handing out green apples branded with its mascot, Duo. The campaign, which included cheeky social media posts, aimed to capitalize on the public attention surrounding Apple's product releases.
Why it matters
This illustrates modern 'trendjacking' marketing strategies where brands use viral social media tactics to associate themselves with major tech product launches.
Over the weekend, Apple fans formed winding queues outside Apple stores worldwide to get their hands on the new iPhone lineup, which officially went on sale on 23 October.
But standing just metres away from the snaking queues was Duolingo's ever-familiar green owl mascot, Duo, handing out what the language-learning platform called “Free Apple Duo”, according to photos shared on its Instagram page.
Accompanying the pictures was the cheeky caption: “I heard they're selling me today?” The brand had set up an apple cart outside an Apple store, with bright green apples bearing stickers of Duo shaped like an apple. Each sticker featured the words “Do your lesson” alongside a QR code that appeared to direct users to the platform.
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