Pringles “Duck Lips” Ad – Funny Flap or Marketing Genius?
TL;DR: Pringles’ new TV spot (called “Duck King”) leans into absurdist humor: a man amuses his date by placing two chips in his mouth to make “duck lips,” only to have a flock of real ducks swarm in and crown him their leader. In this lighthearted campaign, FCB New York revives the vintage “Once You Pop” slogan (tweaked to “Once You Pop, The Pop Don’t Stop”) for a Gen Z audience. The result is a goofy, memorable scene that fans find hilarious and nostalgic, but others might roll their eyes at the silliness. We break down what works, what’s odd, and why there’s surprisingly no real controversy – just a lot of quacking.
A Classic Gag, Taken to Extremes
The ad starts simply: a young couple is on a park bench, and the man jokingly sticks two Pringles crisps between his lips. This “duck lips” trick is an old gag – once a cheesy photo pose – but here it backfires hilariously. The flock of ducks in the park treats the crunchy duckface as some kind of call to leadership. They approach him, place a little crown on his head, drape him in a cape, and carry the bench away as he waves goodbye to his date in befuddled triumph. It’s slapstick-level absurd: the chips-in-mouth joke is pushed to the 100% – the man literally becomes “Duck King” of the pond.
This scene nails a timeless classic prank in a fresh way. As one ad critic quipped, the Pringles duck lips trick is “a timeless and classic joke,” and here it delivers a “magnificent” payoff as our hero is hoisted aloft by his quacking subjects. The imagery is memorable: ducks on a royal procession, a man happily quacking at his new flock, and even the final gag of ducks serving him a can of Dill Pickle Pringles (a flavor nod to TikTok trends and fan favorites). All of this underscores the brand’s playful side: Pringles aren’t just chips, they’re the trigger for fun chaos.
Nostalgia and Gen Z Vibes
Behind the silliness is smart branding. Pringles has dusted off its famous 1990s tagline “Once You Pop, The Fun Don’t Stop” – rephrased for today as “Once You Pop, The Pop Don’t Stop.” This update acknowledges both the old slogan’s legacy and the new, social-media-driven audience. Research shows 69% of people still recognize “Once You Pop,” giving the campaign built-in nostalgia. The creative team leaned into that by combining retro appeal with absurd “meme-ready” humor that plays well on platforms like TikTok. In short, Pringles isn’t just selling flavor; it’s selling a whimsical brand identity that feels both classic and oddly current.
The ad’s humor is unhinged by design. Pringles’ US marketing head Mauricio Jenkins says it’s “packed with the kind of humor and energy Gen Z loves. And indeed, many viewers online found it hilariously shareable. The bizarre image of a human crowned by ducks is the kind of goofy content likely to get reposted and parodied – exactly what a snack brand aiming for viral buzz would hope for. In a sea of generic snack ads, going full “duck crown” helps Pringles stand out.
*The absurd climax: a flock of ducks carries off the park bench and crowns the “Duck King” on a pillow of Pringles cans. The surreal visual is the ad’s biggest punchline.
What’s Good… and What’s Quacky
Pros: The ad is undeniably funny and memorable. Its visual absurdity is a strong creative hook – people won’t forget a man being carried by ducks. It re-engages older fans with a beloved slogan while feeling fresh to younger viewers. The execution is slick (even real ducks were wrangled on set!), and it doesn’t take itself seriously. Many advertising reviewers praise it as a brilliant blend of old-school tagline and new-school memes. It also ties back to the product (Pringles) by literally having ducks deliver chips, so the brand stays front-and-center.
Cons: On the flip side, not everyone will “get” or enjoy this brand of humor. Some might find the premise too silly or childish – it’s essentially a pun turned physical gag, after all. If you hate corny viral challenges (like the infamous “duck face” trend), this could feel like Pringles making a desperate bid for internet clout. In fact, one satirical take noted that Pringles even launched a “Duck Lips Selfie Challenge” – reviving a fad that media outlets had already pronounced dead. To older or more serious audiences, the joke might seem flat (“I tried it and ducks didn’t swarm my bench,” one commentator joked). In marketing terms, the ad’s connection to eating the chips is indirect – it’s entertainment first, product second – which some critics could see as a missed opportunity to emphasize flavor or variety.
Controversy? Not Exactly
Interestingly, this ad hasn’t sparked any major public outcry or scandals. It’s light and goofy, not touching any political or sensitive topics, so there’s no real controversy to speak of. (No animal-rights protests about ducks, no cultural gaffes. It’s just ducks being, well, ducks.) The only “criticism” we found is that single sarcastic note about the challenge fad – hardly a serious backlash. In other words, Pringles chose a safe, silly route: some viewers will laugh, some will roll their eyes, but few will be genuinely upset. The balance of opinions is about taste: if you like bizarre comedy, this ad will seem hilarious; if you prefer straightforward ads, it might miss the mark.
The Verdict: Quack or Clack?
Overall, the Pringles “Duck Lips/Duck King” spot is a wacky, feel-good ad that leverages nostalgia and internet humor. It doesn’t break new ground in terms of messaging, but it sure grabs attention. In our view, it succeeds on its own terms: it’s funny, on-brand, and (most importantly) shareable. It may not convince everyone to buy a can of chips, but it makes people talk – which is a win for advertising. Unless the internet collectively decides ducks in parks are no laughing matter (not likely!), the only thing this commercial ruffles is feathers in a very good way.
