Turtle Wax and Russian Standard aim for fool's gold

by Staff, Brand Republic 01-Apr-09, 09:25

LONDON - Turtle Wax making its turtles free range and Russian Standard Vodka's lickable vodka-flavoured press ad were among advertisers' efforts to amuse the public on April 1.

Inspired by the handful of customers who ring up to ask whether its car cleaning products are actually made from turtles, Turtle Wax has created a short film pretending they are, and that it has improved its social responsibility credentials by ending its battery turtle farming practices.

Russian Standard Vodka could be accused of mental cruelty to tramps after it ran a press ad claiming to be the first vodka-dipped advert. Readers were exhorted to "Lick here", but reminded to "Please lick responsibly".

Waitrose boasted of exclusively stocking pinanas, a pineapple/banana hybrid, and let customers know that if the pinanas sold out there was 50% off its Essential Waitrose strawberries.

Walkers got involved in the Daily Mail's editorial fooling with a story claiming the brand is testing 'Ready Silent' quiet crisps in cinemas today.

BMW advertised a new technology called Magnetic Tow, which allows its vehicles to be pulled along by the car in front of them.

The Army's recruitment campaign seized the day with an ad urging people who had not been caught out by April Fool's stories to get in touch, because "we need people who aren't easily taken in".

Lest it be accused of spoiling the fun the ad took pains to point out: "We're not saying we don't want anyone who has fun on April Fool's Day."

Comments

Dan Leahul - 01/04/2009

I'm not sure about that particular ad, but apparently lickable ink is real, and coming to a newspaper near you http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2009/03/advertising_gets_new_flavor_at.php