April Fools' Day pranks: From Dr. Pepper Tic Tacs to a scam-sniffing AI nose
1. April Fools' Day saw creative pranks like Dr. Pepper Tic Tacs hitting the shelves. 2. A new AI nose was introduced to detect scams, adding a unique twist to the day. 3. Companies and individuals showcased their inventive ideas with playful hoaxes. 4. The spirit of humor and fun was alive and well on April Fools' Day with a range of quirky pranks.
Spring brings April Fools' Day, a day when brands and companies try to spring some goofy pranks on you – remember last year's “Baby Translator” app and 7-Eleven's hot dog-flavored water? There's a long history to April Fools' Day, a tradition that may date back to the 15th century. But these days it's mainly about getting attention for your product or brand – despite companies' gags occasionally backfiring; Volkswagen and Google, we are looking at you.
Why would a brand put itself out there on April Fools' Day? Well, it can pay off, says Guido Campello, co-CEO of lingerie and pajama brand Journelle. The holiday "presents a unique opportunity for brands like Journelle to engage customers with a playful twist," he told USA TODAY. "By incorporating humor and cheekiness into our marketing, we can create memorable campaigns that stand out in a crowded marketplace."
Journelle's April Fool's Day Prank
Back in 2020, Journelle teased men's lace lingerie on April Fools' Day. Later in the year, the company began actually offering men's lingerie and it's become a top-selling category, said Campello, who heads Journelle with his wife and co-CEO, Dr. Sapna Palep. This year, Journelle's foolish frippery is a new Mood-Matching Lingerie collection, intimate attire that changes color based on your mood just like a mood ring (yes, you can still get those). Not sure which colors tell if you are in the mood or not, however.
Journelle will promote the Mood-Matching collection on its website and app, social media channels, and in email. When customers click to explore, they'll get an April Fools' message and a discount off a purchase. "This strategy not only attracts new consumers but also fosters a sense of community among existing customers who appreciate a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously," Campello said. "It allows us to showcase our personality, turning the shopping experience into a delightful adventure."
More April Fool's Pranks
Here are some more of the pranks looking to give you a laugh today:
- Omaha Steaks' 'meat-cute' April 1 romance novel
- Spritz Society's new foolish flavor
- Crunch bar's quieter candy caper
- Stay the night with Nutella
- A new tack for Tic Tac
- Curry and ice cream – together?
- Baby gear delivered by drone?
- Tabañero hot sauce for your body
- No time to work up a sweat? No problem with new workout gear
- Mini products hint at need for 5% plastic solution
- Guardio's scam-sniffing AI nose device
- Popeyes Pickle Menu: No April Fool, it's the real dill
April Fool's Day Deals and Specials
A few companies are passing on pranks and giving their customers deals or specials.
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow Mike on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider or email him at msnider@usatoday.com.