Every year, companies post April Fools Day pranks ranging from weak to hilarious. Here’s a quick roundup for April Fools Day 2013:
Site: ThinkGeek.com
Prank: Batman Family Car Decal Set
My Take: I don’t understand why people put little stickers depicting their family on their cars in the first place…what message are they trying to send? So making fun of the people that put the “look at me, I have a family” stickers on, while simultaneously highlighting Batman’s tragic upbringing is always good for me.
Grade: A
Site: Hubspot.com
Prank: Google Glass-like Sunglasses that allow marketers to find qualified prospects wherever they go.
My Take: Really, really well done. Though it would be a nightmare to have marketers stop you in the grocery store to offer an ebook, I often wish I could have these powers. Great job.
Grade: A
Site: Contactually
Prank: Um, something about cats, I guess.
My Take: Taken over by cat sorcerers? Lowest common denominator. Weak.
Grade: F+
Site: YouTube
Prank: YouTube is really to “select a winner” of best video. They’ve closed the site for submissions and will announce the winner in 10 7ears
My Take: I don’t love it, but it’s kind of clever.
Grade: B
Site: Google
Prank: Google Nose. Smelling is believing.
My Take: At first, I didn’t love it, but I’m into it now. I like Google’s ability to make fun of itself, and the imagery and actual integration of the prank into Google search is a real commitment.
Grade: A-
Site: Twitter
Prank: Announcement of the new service Twttr, where you cannot use vowels
My Take: Meh.
Grade: C
I’ll keep adding if I see any other good ones.
