WHEN BRANDS GO WILD: A QUICK LOOK AT BRANDS PRANKING THEIR AUDIENCES
Ah, California, the breeding ground for April Fools' Day antics that linger in memory like salty sea air. Let's take a saunter through the annals of pranks, shall we? In '93, San Diegans were treated to a cosmic tease: the promise of a space shuttle gracing their local airstrip. KGB-FM orchestrated the illusion, spinning a tale of Discovery's diversion to Montgomery Field. The result? Traffic snarls and police hustle for a celestial no-show. Then, in '96, Taco Bell spun a spicy yarn, claiming ownership of the Liberty Bell to tackle the national debt. Renaming it the "Taco Liberty Bell," they whipped up a nationwide stir, even hoodwinking a few radio hosts. The National Park Service fielded irate calls, assuring patriots that our cherished bell remained untarnished. Fast forward to today, where 7-Eleven dabbles in whimsy with "Big Bite Hot Dog" flavored sparkling water. A concoction so surreal, it blurs the line between thirst-quenching and carnivorous delight. A prank that tickles the taste buds and sparks a chuckle. But the crown jewel? The Hundreds' '08 stroke of brilliance, conjuring a faux Forbes article announcing their acquisition by fashion titan LVMH. A prank that riffed on the cultural divide between streetwear and haute couture, leaving tongues wagging and minds reeling.
by Maurice Pendarvis •