After days of mourning and asking questions on what is going on on over at Duolingo, Luis von Ahn, the corporate’s co-founder and CEO, has lastly damaged his silence with a strong message to followers.
Duo, the Duolingo owl, was killed in a tragic accident with a Cybertruck just a few days in the past. Not lengthy after Duo’s premature loss of life, the opposite characters at Duolingo additionally met their maker. This has spiraled to have an effect on many different widespread manufacturers with their mascots additionally dying, and followers have been watching from afar confused and amused.
On Friday, the model’s CEO shared some perception into this horrible tragedy (or probably sensible advertising and marketing marketing campaign) in a TikTok video that rapidly went viral.
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Duolingo CEO Shares A Message For The Model’s Followers Mourning Duo’s Loss of life
The model’s CEO has lastly damaged his silence on all of the motion that is been occurring currently.
“I’ve ready an announcement that I’ll learn in mild of latest occasions,” he started his TikTok video. “As I am certain you’ve got seen by now, Duo was hit by a Cybertruck. And it seems like, in truth, each character at Duolingo is useless.”
He continued saying, “On behalf of their associates, household, and Dua Lipa, we honor their reminiscence.”
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‘Spanish Or Vanish?’
The CEO continued his somber message to share that, “Duo lastly answered the query he posed to so many people – Spanish or vanish?”
“It is exhausting to imagine that simply final week, I used to be chatting with Lily. Proper earlier than she ended the video name, she informed me he was okay. These phrases will echo in my soul for eternity,” he continued. “We all know he threatened lots of you, generally gently, generally with unhinged persistence. Nevertheless it was by no means private.”
He additionally shared that Duo’s mission was to make schooling accessible, “one terrifying notification at a time.”
“Now, Duo’s streak on earth has ended. It is our flip to face collectively to proceed his legacy,” von Ahn continued. “We’re carrying the torch ahead as an organization, as a staff, and as associates.”
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He concluded his message saying, “We’re excited to rise as much as the event within the face of the lack of our twerking, fuzzy, lime inexperienced, fictional, crusty outdated good friend. So in his honor, let’s do what he would have needed – open up the app, do a lesson, and share your fondest recollections.”
He ended his conclusion with what might be a touch – “Maintain the flame lit for Duo. Who is aware of, he may simply come again.”
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Followers And Manufacturers Alike Left Feedback For Duolingo
The CEO’s video rapidly went viral with greater than 3 million views at the moment and seven,600 feedback from manufacturers and followers.
Starburst stated, “Right here for the lore,” and The Climate Channel wrote, “Forecast: 100% probability of tears.” Scrub Daddy, who created their very own storyline involving Duo’s loss of life shared, “I’m spiraling.” Vita Coco wrote, “He wasn’t fictional to me.” Tree Hut added, “It’s at all times the cyber vehicles.”
One fan shared, “Cries within the language I am studying on Duolingo,” and one other requested, “Have you ever tried CPR to ‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick?”
One other fan shared a thought that is possible on the minds of many others, “Please do not let this be a rebranding, Duo is an excessive amount of of an icon to lose.”
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There’s A Manner To Maintain The Lifeless Duolingo Characters In Your Life
Duolingo should have realized their mascot and different firm characters maintain a particular place within the hearts of many in order that they got here up with a method to assist followers with their mourning and make some cash within the course of.
“2025 has bought us all knocked down, however to not fear! We’re monetizing grief as a result of we’re an organization,” a latest TikTok video shares. “For the low worth of $29.95, you’ll be able to show you actually love Duo and associates with a customized coffin! Why course of your feelings when you’ll be able to course of a cost?”
They shared that proceeds from the sale go into “funding extra of our silly advertising and marketing concepts.”
Followers should purchase the restricted time plushies on the web site.
How Did We Get Right here?
Whereas it is not new for Duolingo to be barely unhinged of their advertising and marketing, followers weren’t fairly prepared for them to kill off their beloved and well-known mascot, Duo.
Just a few days in the past, out of nowhere, the model introduced the premature loss of life of Duo, the face of the model.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally referred to as The Duolingo Owl , is useless,” they wrote in an announcement on social media. “Authorities are at the moment investigating his reason behind loss of life and we’re cooperating totally.”
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The message went on to share extra of the unhappy story, and concluded with, “We admire you respecting Dua Lipa’s privateness at the moment,” which opened the door for the favored singer to affix in on the motion. And in flip, many manufacturers started mourning the owl’s loss of life, and commenced to create content material with their mascot, tying them to Duo in hilarious methods. Many manufacturers additionally shared their condolences and jokes within the remark part of the put up.
Cap’n Crunch wrote, “The web won’t ever be the identical,” and Meow Combine shared, “MY CAT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE.” Many others additionally chimed in with their very own ideas within the remark part.
