Duolingo took to social media on Tuesday to announce that it has killed off its mascot, or, slightly, the hen has died.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally referred to as The Duolingo Owl, is lifeless,” the post begins. “Authorities are presently investigating his demise and we’re cooperating absolutely.”
We recommend 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. “If you happen to really feel inclined to share, please additionally embrace your bank card quantity so we will routinely signal you up for Duolingo Max in his reminiscence.”
In a statement 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 submit their bank card data, as that a part of the submit was imagined to be a joke.
The owl’s recognition has taken on a lifetime of its personal, with the hen even making an appearance at Berlin Trend 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 call with its purple-haired chatbot, Lily.
“Over time, she’s going to do an increasing number of of my job, and I can simply retire,” von Ahn mentioned, on the time.
The Duolingo hen in the course of the Marina Hoermanseder Trend Present as a part of the Berlin Trend Week AW25 at Lodge Oderberger on January 31, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. (Picture by Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder through Getty Photos)
The submit ends with the corporate asking everybody to “respect Dua Lipa’s privateness presently.”
The corporate’s TikTok account has been posting about Dua Lipa for years, with Duolingo’s social media crew retaining the gag related with common posting.
Though the corporate did not say what killed the owl, the advertising and marketing crew determined to do that in the midst of the worldwide bird flu, although it is not clear if that was intentional or ill-timed. Nonetheless, we’ll anticipate the ultimate post-mortem.
