Duolingo took to social media on Tuesday to announce that it has killed off its mascot, or, moderately, the hen has died.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally often called The Duolingo Owl, is lifeless,” the put up begins. “Authorities are presently investigating his demise and we’re cooperating totally.”
We propose checking the advertising and marketing 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. “In the event you really feel inclined to share, please additionally embrace your bank card quantity so we are able to mechanically signal you up for Duolingo Max in his reminiscence.”
In a assertion to a CBS affiliate, a Duolingo spokesperson confirmed that as part of a brand new model advertising and marketing marketing campaign, Duo is “lifeless” however folks should not truly put up their bank card data, as that a part of the put up was presupposed to be a joke.
The owl’s recognition has taken on a lifetime of its personal, with the hen even making an look at Berlin Vogue Week final month.
It is not the primary time Duolingo has been unconventional in its strategy to advertising and marketing (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 hen in the course of the Marina Hoermanseder Vogue Present as a part of the Berlin Vogue Week AW25 at Lodge Oderberger on January 31, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. (Picture by Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder by way of Getty Photos)
The put up 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 group retaining the gag related with common posting.
Though the corporate did not say what killed the owl, the advertising and marketing group determined to do that in the midst of the worldwide hen flu, although it is not clear if that was intentional or ill-timed. Nonetheless, we’ll await the ultimate post-mortem.