Language learning app Duolingo recently revealed some sad news – its iconic owl mascot Duo, was dead. Well, surprise! After a dramatic fake death, the beloved bird is back, returning to berate avid linguists in a dramatic resurrection for the ages.
Duolingo is known for its impactful branding thanks to its legendary mascot, so when the bird's untimely demise was announced it seemed like a sacrilegious marketing move – in fact it was quite the opposite. With fans flocking to pay their respects by completing their language lessons (it's what Duo would've wanted, of course), the brand drummed up some serious engagement through the guide of collective mourning. Little did fans know the bird would soon be back with a bang.
