Mark Ritson: Duolingo stupid to prioritize influencers over its unhinged owl

June 1, 2026 The Drum


Duolingo's recent shift from its quirky, engaging marketing to a more corporate approach, dubbed "Duolingo stupid," could spell disaster for the brand. This article dives into how Duolingo's explosive success stemmed from its unhinged, authentic voice on TikTok, and how abandoning this strategy—particularly after an AI initiative damaged their relationship with users—may lead to a decline in engagement and growth. Discover what went wrong and why staying true to brand personality is vital.

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