Running a business in the high-stakes beverage industry is a serious undertaking – for 364 days of the year, that is. But today, April Fool’s Day, is more of a laughing matter.
While “pranking” consumers with eccentric new product launches like sour cream and onion-flavored prebiotic soda, pre-stained t-shirts and pet hydration cubes, brands leveraged holiday social media posts as part of their respective marketing strategies to deepen relationships with consumers over a shared joke or two.
Here are six of this year’s best pranks we hope you didn’t fall for.
Chamberlain Coffee
As a testament to the universal truth that coffee often leads to messiness, Chamberlain Coffee today unveiled its very real limited edition Oops Collection. The capsule offers consumers playful solutions to coffee-related “oopsie” moments with a “Life is Messy” baby tee (pre-stained so you can drink your coffee in peace), a spill-proof cold cup (to keep your drink extra secure) and a coffee-scented “Oh Shit!” candle (to recreate the scent of your favorite coffee shop at home). All three products are now available for purchase via the brand’s website.
OLIPOP
From green bean casserole sparkling water to turkey gravy soda, savory flavors have been taking the beverage aisle by storm as of late. The latest entrant? OLIPOP x Pringles Sour Cream & Onion prebiotic soda. With the new release, consumers will no longer have to enjoy their chips and soda separately as the dynamic duo “can now be enjoyed in one flavor-packed, craveable can.”
Waterdrop
European hydration brand waterdrop is throwing a playful bone to pet owners with the launch of waterdog, the world’s first microdrink specifically formulated to keep pups hydrated, energized and zoomie-free. The plant-powered, 100% vegan product features a free-range, plant-based chicken flavor and provides essential vitamins D,O and G.
Air Up
Air Up, the water bottle that flavors water through scent alone, recognizes that the one downfall of improved hydration is frequent trips to the restroom. The brand is playing off the pee talk by announcing the launch of its latest flavor pod, Pee. With this joke, Air Up is hoping to get consumers talking about their pee, as the color of such is one of the best indicators as to whether you are properly hydrated.
Bored Cow
Just weeks after debuting a new line of drinkable alt-dairy yogurt at Expo West, Bored Cow has unveiled its latest innovation: Bored by Bored Cow skincare. Coming soon to a beauty aisle near you, the three-SKU collection features a cleanser, lotion and hand cream.
Scotch
With a brand name like Scotch, it was only a matter of time before the tape producer entered the spirits industry. Aged in oak barrels for 14 years, Scotch Single Malt Scotch Whisky hails from the Scotland highlands and “is a magical experience whether you take it neat, over ice or in any of your favorite classic cocktails.” Consumers have taken to Scotch’s Instagram post with important questions such as, “Will it stick or go down smooth?”