Vadim Acosta’s Post

Here’s why you should keep up with Duolingo—they consistently deliver a masterclass on tapping into trends. Wondering why you saw a bunch of Duolingo mascots at Charli XCX’s 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳? It all started when fans noticed the color synergy between Charli XCX’s Brat album and Duolingo’s “brat summer” vibe. Instead of letting the buzz fade, they went all in. At last night’s 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳 opener, Duolingo’s iconic green owl mascot appeared, handing out exclusive Duolingo x Brat merch. <https://lnkd.in/e2HxxJRE> Charli even gave them a shout-out from the stage, spotting the Duo team in the crowd.<https://lnkd.in/eM-F3J2D> Duolingo turned this viral moment into a meaningful connection by engaging with Charli’s fanbase through live content and real-time interactions. Across X, Reddit, and YouTube, there have been 2.23K mentions and nearly 2M+ views and engagements across TikTok and Instagram of Duolingo at the concert. Many fans already knew the brand from TikTok, but this smart integration made Duolingo part of the experience. For marketers, this is a great example of how to lean into pop culture in a way that feels authentic while amplifying brand awareness. Sometimes, the best strategy is simply showing up where your audience is and having fun with it. #ViralMarketing #Trends #DigitalDebrief

When memes surpass suits. How Duolingo increased its download by 50 million. Remember those cheesy TV ads? Duolingo swapped them for tweets & memes, growing their user base a whopping 48% in 2022! Their secret weapon? Embracing the infamous "threatening owl" meme. Users turned mascot Duo viral, giving him cult status. Duolingo didn't shy away, instead leaning in with self-aware campaigns that resonated with Gen Z & Millennials. This authenticity fueled engagement & brand love. ❤️ Lesson learned: - Sometimes, the best marketing isn't slick, it's relatable & fun. - Ditch the suits, embrace the LOLs! #MemeMarketing #ThinkOutsideTheBox #Duolingo By the numbers: - User base growth: 48% in 2022 - Social media presence: 58M+ followers across platforms. - Meme magic: Duo is a certified internet icon

Everyone is always talking about Duolingo being unhinged on social. DuoLingo stepped outside their comfort zone and found their own unique voice super early on TikTok. They weren't afraid of failure, looking dumb, or taking risks. Stop trying to copy DuoLingo's strategy - their strategy was and has been being culturally ingrained, setting trends, and not being afraid to try something new. They dove in head first on TikTok before most brands were even aware of the platform. Try new platforms early and start when you are scared; you can never lose when you are showing up authentically and uniquely on social. This is what every brand should actually take away from DuoLingo's strategy... stop trying to steal their sauce and go create your own recipe. #brandstrategy #brandidentity #tiktokmarketing #brandvoice

See how Duolingo used multi-channel marketing to pull off the ultimate April Fool's prank this year.  From TikTok to YouTube, their "Duolingo on Ice" campaign went viral, proving that a well-orchestrated strategy across different platforms can work wonders. Read the full blog at: https://lnkd.in/esPKkS2a #MultichannelMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Duolingo #SocialMediaMarketing

Adrien Torres, Strategy Director at Brut., left a lasting impression on us during his interview 🧠✨ In just 30 minutes, he explained how the media company helps brands create content formats that keep them relevant with younger generations. A standout example? Duolingo on TikTok. Instead of simply promoting their product, they leaned into the fun aspect of language learning, transforming their mascot into a true entertainment icon. The result? Millions of organic views and an engaged audience that now associates Duolingo with the idea that learning a language can be fun. This is a key positioning move, reinforcing their brand image and creating an emotional connection with users, encouraging them to come back time and again. This is exactly the kind of strategy we break down in #ThinkVertical 📊 Access the full study and learn how brands like Duolingo are reinventing their communication to engage with younger generations ⬇️

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, brands are constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to engage with their audience and achieve sustainable growth. For Duolingo, now a leading language learning platform, a bold and unconventional shift in its social media strategy paved the way to remarkable success. As a part of the Terribly Tiny Tales strategy masterclass assignment, I've chosen to take a look into Duolingo's strategy change and study the steps they took to reflect their changed positioning. The details are given in the slides below. 👇 #wtspro #ttt #brandstrategy #duolingo #languageapp #marketing

🦉 We've all been there: trying to learn a language, life gets hectic, and suddenly Duo the owl is giving you passive-aggressive shade. (Speaking from experience, see my guilt trip from Duo below 😉 ) 👯 But hey, these "playful pushes" (read: hilarious guilt trips) are exactly why Duolingo has become a social media darling. Their quirky mascot, Duo, transforms a faceless app into a relatable friend (albeit a slightly judgy one) on your language journey. Read more on my latest blog about how Duolingo built a brand on relatability and fun! https://lnkd.in/g4DkDt9B #CX #Brandexperience

Ever wondered why Duolingo is everywhere on your feed? It's not magic; it's genius! 😜 Here's the scoop: ▶ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀: Duo, the green owl, is more than a mascot—it's a personality. Duo’s hilarious, relatable posts keep us hooked! ▶𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆: Duolingo jumps on trending topics faster than you can say "Mumma"! ▶𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Ongoing jokes and rivalries make us laugh and come back for more. ▶𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆: TikTok, Instagram, Twitter—each has its own tailored content. Remember, engagement is the game, and Duolingo plays it like a pro! #Marketing #SocialMedia #Duolingo #ContentStrategy #brand #brandbuilding

In light of the recent buzz around Duolingo's innovative approach to user re-engagement, I feel compelled to share my thoughts on an aspect that, in my opinion, warrants more attention: the immense value of nurturing existing customer relationships. While Duolingo's strategy has undeniably proven effective in reigniting user interest, it serves as a potent reminder of a broader marketing principle often overshadowed by the allure of new customer acquisition. The truth is, securing new business can be exponentially more costly and challenging than retaining existing clients. This reality underscores the critical importance of not just attracting, but also maintaining and enhancing the value offered to our current user base. In our pursuit of growth, it's crucial to remember that the longevity and sustainability of a business heavily rely on its ability to foster loyalty and continually meet the evolving needs of its existing customers. Neglecting this aspect can lead to a shrinking customer base, ultimately impacting the company's size and market presence. Therefore, as we applaud Duolingo's team for their clever engagement tactics, let's also take this moment to reflect on our strategies for product improvement and customer retention. It's not merely about the initial win but about building enduring relationships that stand the test of time. To the product marketing and design teams out there, your efforts in creating meaningful, user-centric experiences are the unsung heroes of your company's success story. Here's to recognizing the indispensable role you play in not just sustaining, but elevating our businesses. #CustomerRetention #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Duolingo

Usually when the owl icon pops up on socials, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive and supportive, so I was intrigued seeing the mixed reactions to Duolingo’s recent marketing shenanigans. It’s also a good example of a key 2024 marketing trend highlighted by numerous companies stating that consumers were seeking highly personalized experiences from brands, which is reflected in people’s distaste for this saying: > “I’m active on Duolingo, so why am I getting this?” > “I did my lesson today, so why do I still have a grumpy face?” > “I deleted the app because of this” or “I removed it from my home screen” So this is your daily reminder that not all your marketing efforts are going to resonate with your entire audience, even for a well loved, household brand like Duo, and that’s okay. But you should also be aiming to deliver highly personalized experiences and content to your audience, and monitoring sentiment so you can adjust your approach if your campaigns aren’t landing. I don’t use Duo, so as an observer, I think it was a cute initiative but it’s valid for those who feel shamed or guilted into engagement are deleting the app. It seems like they could’ve taken a more targeted and responsive approach in who received the grumpy owl. Fellow marketers, what are your thoughts?