Duolingo took to social media on Tuesday to announce that it has killed off its mascot, or, moderately, the chicken has died.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally often called The Duolingo Owl, is lifeless,” the publish begins. “Authorities are at the moment investigating his dying and we’re cooperating absolutely.”
We recommend checking the advertising 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. “Should you really feel inclined to share, please additionally embody your bank card quantity so we will mechanically signal you up for Duolingo Max in his reminiscence.”
In a press release to a CBS affiliate, a Duolingo spokesperson confirmed that as part of a brand new model advertising marketing campaign, Duo is “lifeless” however individuals should not really publish their bank card info, as that a part of the publish was purported to be a joke.
The owl’s recognition has taken on a lifetime of its personal, with the chicken even making an look at Berlin Style Week final month.
It isn’t the primary time Duolingo has been unconventional in its method to advertising (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 increasingly of my job, and I can simply retire,” von Ahn stated, on the time.
The Duolingo chicken through the Marina Hoermanseder Style Present as a part of the Berlin Style Week AW25 at Lodge Oderberger on January 31, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. (Photograph by Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder through Getty Photographs)
The publish ends with the corporate asking everybody to “respect Dua Lipa’s privateness right now.”
The corporate’s TikTok account has been posting about Dua Lipa for years, with Duolingo’s social media crew conserving the gag related with common posting.
Though the corporate did not say what killed the owl, the advertising crew determined to do that in the midst of the worldwide chicken flu, although it is not clear if that was intentional or ill-timed. Nonetheless, we’ll look forward to the ultimate post-mortem.
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