April Fool is one of the most sought-after days of the year, mainly by brands who wait to drop their creatively charged campaigns that blur the line between reality and satire. April Fools Day is often seen as a playground for creativity, viral buzz, and audience engagement.
On April 1st, 2025 we saw a real battleground of brands who were dropping the creative bits one after the other, from AI stunts to classic pranks — some brands truly nailed it.
Let’s take a look at some of the best April Fool’s Day campaigns from this year and what made them work:
Dazed’s Balenciaga Prank Goes Viral
Dazed Magazine sparked a huge buzz when it made a fake announcement that Charli XCX was named as the new creative director of Balenciaga. Though completely made-up, the internet took it up like wildfire. Charli XCX even tweeted, “Balenciaga XCX era,” which drove engagement even higher.
The success came from brand familiarity, celebrity involvement, and the creation of a huge “what if” moment that sparked curiosity and surprise.
Kraft Heinz Dubai Goes Local & LOL
Kraft Heinz Dubai came up with a very tongue-in-cheek idea, introducing flavors such as Shawarma Beans, Machboos Beans, and Harees Beans. Inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, the idea was bizarre — yet many claimed they’d actually try them. The regional cultural reference and humor made it memorable.
Krispy Kreme’s Glazed Donut Scare
Krispy Kreme shocked fans by announcing the removal of their iconic Original Glazed doughnut. Outrage and disbelief followed on social media, only for it to be revealed as a prank. The campaign’s success lay in its emotional trigger — familiarity and attachment to a beloved product.
KFC’s Chicken Toothpaste Prank
KFC joined the prank game with a fake product: Fried Chicken Toothpaste. The internet’s response was so enthusiastic that KFC eventually turned it into a limited-edition item. It worked by leaning into absurdity, FOMO, and user-generated content.
April Fools’ Day Campaign Spotlight: Dyson’s AirBrow Stunt
Dyson introduced a fictional device — the Dyson AirBrow — for eyebrow styling. Though entirely fake, it looked so believable that users started asking where they could buy it. The campaign was clever enough to act like product testing disguised as a prank, reinforcing Dyson’s innovative image.
What made them work
So, why did these campaigns — even the weirdest ones — actually work?
- Brand consistency: The best pranks felt native to each brand’s identity and tone.
- Audience interactivity: The campaigns encouraged user participation, reactions, and engagement.
- Effort and execution: From fake products to full mockups, the more effort put in, the better the results.
The Real Joke? It Worked.
April Fools Day isn’t just about pranks — it’s a brand creativity test. It’s the perfect chance to push boundaries, test bold ideas, and see what sticks.
The best April Fools campaigns weren’t just funny; they were smart, strategic, and completely on-brand. They created content that sparked conversations and earned shares — proving that even the most absurd ideas can go viral when executed well.
At Sustainable Mindz, we specialise in crafting smart, on-point, scroll-stopping campaigns — whether it’s an April Fools’ stunt or the next viral trend. If you’re looking to create engaging content that connects, converts, and gets people talking, we’re here to help you bring bold ideas to life.
Let’s turn your next campaign into a conversation starter.
