Duo's Demise: Duolingo's Viral Rebranding Stunt

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Ryan and Roland dive into the fascinating world of brand marketing, using Duolingo's recent "killing" of their mascot Duo as a springboard. They explore the nuances of rebranding, the power of storytelling in marketing, and discuss strategies for creating memorable brand identities - from founder-led campaigns to fictional spokescharacters. Highlights: "Most rebrands are astoundingly stupid. They're self-congratulatory."  "If you're going to do a brand change, at least have some fun with it."  "The founder is typically going to be the most effective key person of influence."  "Tell a story, not just an announcement."  Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Personal Updates 04:27 The Duolingo Duo Death Story Begins 10:07 Marketing Strategies Behind the Mascot's Demise 17:57 Brand Changes and Earned Media 22:45 The Power of Founder-Led Campaigns 29:37 Celebrity Endorsements and Equity Stakes 31:20 The GEICO Model: Multiple Fictional Characters 34:58 Principles of Effective Rebranding 36:33 Predictions for Duo's Future 38:23 The Ultimate Goal: Brand Exposure CONNECT  • Ask Roland a question HERE. RESOURCES: • 7 Steps to Scalable workbook  • Get my book, Zero Down, FREE To learn more about Roland Frasier 👉  https://msha.ke/rolandfrasier/ Connect with me on social: 🎵 TikTok:  / rolandfrasier    📸  Instagram:  / rolandfrasier   📱 Facebook:<a...