April Fool’s Day all-time classics: a look back on the best brand stunts
From Honda’s emoji license plates to Aldi’s budget airline launch, here are some of the best brand April Fools from the archives.
Pot Noodle x Papa John’s – a collaboration that (thankfully) never saw the light of day
April Fool’s Day has long been a stage for brands to unleash their creativity, offering audiences a blend of humor and surprise. In times dominated by serious headlines, these playful pranks provide a refreshing respite, reflecting a brand’s personality and its ability to engage with consumers on a lighter note. However, the line between a successful joke and a misstep is thin, and when crossed, can lead to unintended consequences.
By now, you’ll have checked out 2025’s best brand efforts. How do they compare to the all-time classics? Well, judge for yourself as we bring you a compilation of 20 memorable April Fool’s Day campaigns sourced from The Drum over the years...
Tinder’s height verification badge
In 2019, Tinder introduced a satirical ‘Height Verification Badge’ to promote honesty in online dating. Users were prompted to verify their height by submitting a photo of themselves standing next to a commercial building.
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Honda’s Emoji License Plates
Honda UK introduced emoji license plates, allowing drivers to personalize their vehicles with expressive symbols, tapping into the ubiquity of digital communication.
Amazon’s Petlexa
In 2017 Amazon unveiled ‘Petlexa,’ a version of its voice assistant designed to understand and respond to pets, humorously suggesting a new level of smart home integration.
Velveeta’s Skincare Line
Velveeta announced a luxury skincare line infused with cheese, blending indulgence in food with self-care, much to the amusement (and slight disgust) of its audience.
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Cruisebound’s Silent Cruises
An online cruise booking platform unveiled ‘Hush Cruises’ – the world’s first exclusively silent cruise line. The faux cruise line promised muted voyages through the Great Lakes aboard slightly refurbished 1970s ocean liners, complete with a strict no-talking policy, silent dining, gesture-only trivia, and excursions to thrillingly quiet destinations like Gary, Indiana.
Durex’s Fish Skin and Mala Hot Pot Flavored Condoms
Durex teased new condom flavors inspired by fish skin and the spicy Chinese mala hot pot, aiming to ‘spice things up’ for couples.
Jameson’s Glittering Deterrent
Jameson introduced ‘Catchmates,’ a fictional bottle equipped with ‘glittershot’ technology designed to deter whiskey thieves by covering them in green glitter upon opening.
Boden’s Brexit Breton Top Ban
British retailer Boden humorously announced a ban on Breton shirts due to Brexit, offering a ‘Breton stripe removal service’ called ‘the Bret-off’ to help customers comply with the fictitious regulation.
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Travelodge’s Bedshare Service
Travelodge promoted a ‘bedshare’ service, offering guests a 50% discount if they agreed to share their room with another guest, with the room clearly divided down the middle to ensure fairness.
Tinder’s VP of Ghost Hunting
In 2024, Tinder posted a job listing for a ‘VP of Ghost Hunting,’ humorously addressing the common dating phenomenon of ‘ghosting’ and showcasing the brand’s playful side.
Innocent’s Edible Slippers
Smoothie brand Innocent introduced ‘edible slippers,’ combining comfort and snackability, and highlighting their commitment to reducing waste in a humorous manner.
Aldi’s Budget Airline Launch
Aldi UK teased the launch of ‘AldiAir,’ a budget airline promising cost-effective flights, humorously challenging established low-cost carriers.
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Walkers’ Bread-Shaped Crisps
Walkers announced ‘Bread-Shaped Crisps,’ designed to fit perfectly in sandwiches, addressing the common issue of crisps falling out. The prank resonated with fans of crisp sandwiches.
Ocado’s ‘Britain in a Jar’ Range
Ocado introduced a convenience range featuring British staples like ‘Sundae Roast’ in a jar, playfully mocking the trend of compact, ready-to-eat meals.
Sainsbury’s Double Decker Shopping Trolley
Sainsbury’s introduced a ‘Double Decker Shopping Trolley,’ humorously suggesting a solution for shoppers struggling with space during their ‘big shop.’
Papa John’s and Pot Noodle’s ‘Pot Pizza’
In a bold flavor mash-up, Papa John’s and Pot Noodle collaborated on the ‘Pot Pizza,’ combining popular pizza varieties with classic noodle flavors.
Iceland’s CBD Hash Brown Fries
In 2022, UK supermarket Iceland announced ‘CBD Hash Brown Fries,’ claiming to offer a stress-relieving breakfast option. The prank tapped into the growing trend of CBD-infused products.
Lubella’s Macaroni Macarons
Polish pasta brand Lubella unveiled ‘Macaroni Macarons’ – a fusion of French patisserie and classic Italian comfort food. Flavors included spaghetti bolognese, pesto fusilli, and mac ‘n’ cheese. This playful nod to food mashups highlighted Lubella’s pasta dominance in Poland and captured consumer attention.