3 sources·Entertainment

Duolingo's Mascot Duo 'Dies' in Viral Marketing Stunt, Sparks Online Mourning

Duolingo announces the 'death' of its owl mascot Duo, igniting a wave of tributes from fans and brands alike, including pop star Dua Lipa.

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
Balanced
The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.
Subscribe to unlock this story

We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!

Get Started
  1. Duolingo 'killed' off its mascot — and somehow captivated the internet

    The “death” of a beloved mascot has sparked the kind of online frenzy that advertisers dream of, with everyone from the World Health Organization to Netflix offering their condolences.

    Duolingo 'killed' off its mascot — and somehow captivated the internet

    NBC NewsNBC News·3M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  2. Rest in Peace Duo, the Duolingo Owl, Cruelly Murdered by ... a Tesla Cybertruck?

    While the online world awaits answers for what caused Duo's death (besides priceless marketing attention), the parts of the internet in on the joke will continue to mourn while others ask, in owl-like fashion: "Who?"

    Rest in Peace Duo, the Duolingo Owl, Cruelly Murdered by ... a Tesla Cybertruck?

    CNETCNET·3M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  1. NBC News
  2. CNET
  3. CNN
Updated: Feb 13th, 2025, 3:02 AM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Duolingo's beloved mascot Duo has been 'killed' in a tongue-in-cheek marketing ploy, sparking widespread online mourning and tributes from various brands. The language-learning app humorously claimed authorities were investigating Duo’s cause of death, asserting he may have 'died waiting for you to do your lesson.' The announcement featured a playful video depicting Duo's characters carrying his coffin, with responses from celebrities and brands like the World Health Organization and Dua Lipa, who commented on the faux tragedy. This stunt echoes past marketing antics, reminiscent of the 2020 death of Mr. Peanut.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

This story is either non-partisan or does not have the required sources to create partisan perspectives.

Duolingo's Mascot Duo 'Dies' in Viral Marketing Stunt, Sparks Online Mourning - Pano News