Hails & Fails – April 1st 2022
It’s April 1st – and we all know what that means. We’ve seen brands respond brilliantly to the day with some fab April Fools’ PR stunts already today. Family amusement Park, and Brazen client, Fantasy Island gave us a ride that seriously satisfied our appetite, office furniture retailer Furniture@Work have given us a way to weep in the office when it all gets a bit too much and restaurant chain Frankie & Benny’s have banned condiments in all their UK restaurants. And while it might not strictly be an April Fools joke, there can only be one loser when it comes to April Fool of the week – Hollywood star Will Smith won headlines for all the wrong reasons thanks to ‘Slap-gate’.
HAILS
Fantasy Island unveils its first edible ride
Brazen client, Fantasy Island – the famous family amusement park based in Skegness – wowed everyone today when it unveiled an edible ride via its Facebook page. It announced the ‘Cuthbert the Caterpillar’ ride would launch covered entirely in chocolate, just like its famous friend Colin. And dared fans take a bite. Cue a social media frenzy as fans lauded the initiative – many admitting they were totally fooled – as the best April Fools’ prank they had seen this year. Tonnes of engagement and chatter too.
Furniture@Work unveils a dedicated space for worktime weeping
Workplace furniture manufacturer Furniture@Work announced a new soundproof cabinet for weeping at work this morning.
They announced that 8 out of 10 people have shed a tear in the workplace, so the new product would provide privacy for those in need of a lunchtime cry.
The cabinet’s key features include sound (and scream) proof walls, a Bean bag bawler, a Pick-me-up vending machine, Tear removal tissues and an ‘Occupied’ light. Hilarious! And great coverage too.
Frankie and Benny’s ban condiments
Italian-American restaurant, Frankie and Benny’s has today announced that it is banning guests from using condiments and has removed them from all restaurants across the UK.
They claimed you will no longer find traditional condiments at tables – meaning no ketchup, mayonnaise or even salt and pepper.
“No Condiments” signs have been dotted around restaurants alongside an all-new menu which includes a message that reads “Please note this is a No Ketchup Zone – we do not have condiments in restaurants from the 1st April”
Saucy and effective as the media lauded the April Fools’ stunt.
FAILS
Is Will Smith the biggest April Fool?
It should have been his defining moment but, Will Smith’s Oscar win for Best Actor was hugely overshadowed by the unceremonious slap he dealt to Academy Awards ceremony host Chris Rock over a comment about his wife.
Caught on live TV, along with a foul-mouthed tirade in Rock’s direction, there was no escaping the subsequent global hullabaloo.
Has it damaged the Will Smith brand irreparably? Only time will tell. It hasn’t exactly been the celebratory week an Oscar winner would have wanted though, has it?
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