Numerous Brands Bid Farewell to TikTok with Wit and Honesty

During the final hours before the app went down, brands like Wendy’s, Sour Patch Kids, Scrub Daddy, Oreo, and Duolingo seized the opportunity to make a lasting impact on their followers.

Although TikTok is now back in operation, the experience was quite daunting for many during the 14-hour downtime. Let’s revisit some of the brands’ humorous farewell videos to recollect a period that felt reminiscent of the ticking hours leading up to January 1, 2000 (for those who remember the Y2K concerns).

Duolingo is no stranger to fun in their marketing. They’ve shared many videos that have left a lasting impression on viewers. So of course, the end of TikTok would mean they would just up their game and spread some joy and truths.

In one of their last videos, using the “Family Guy” “Griffins4U” sound, they came clean about one of their ongoing secrets.

In the viral video that has more than 10 million views, they reveal who’s in the owl costume.

“Since we’re all gonna die, there’s one more secret I feel I have to share with you,” the sound plays as the iconic Duolingo owl walks into frame. The costume comes off and reveals “Mark was in the Duo mascot suit the entire time.”

One viewer called it saying, “Imagine TikTok not getting banned and we know everyone’s secret now.” A few minutes ago, after TikTok came back, Duolingo commented, “well this is awkward.”

Leading up to the app going dark, Duolingo shared a few videos about learning Mandarin and moving over to RedNote.

Sour Patch Kids decided in the final hours of TikTok to be “sweet this one time” with a short but “sweet” video showing a blue Sour Patch Kid walking out of an elevator, with the caption, “me on my way to buy Tiktok so it doesn’t get banned tomorrow.”

The comment section shared more goodbyes, and many in humorous ways. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet commented, “after TikTok is gone, I hope y’all achieve all ur guys dreams and goals in life. it was an honor to share this app with y’all and those good times. good luck in life,” to which Sour Patch Kids replied, “I don’t even know u who are u.”

Another viewer brought up the ongoing beef between Sour Patch Kids and Oreo saying, “Oreo has been real quiet since this dropped.” Sour Patch Kids replied, “exactly.”

One person said, “Why is my search function suggesting: ‘what did Oreo do to sour patch kids??’ Why am I only learning of this now that TikTok will be gone in mere hours,” and Sour Patch Kids responded, “they know what they did.”

Shortly after TikTok came back for the U.S. this morning, Sour Patch Kids shared a video captioned, “TikTok really said sour, sweet, gone, SIKE.”

Charmin commented, “YESSSS MY BEST FRIEND IS BACK ON TOO,” and Hot Pockets added, “oh it’s on.” Many other comments were egging the page on to fight more with Oreo.

Oreo shared a teaser video about announcing new flavors on Saturday. They did not in fact go through with it, but many took to the comments to chat about the Sour Patch Kids beef.

“So Sour Patch Kids are throwing shade on u,” one person wrote. Another said, “Sour Patch Kids trying to save us….. and ur just teasing us.”

And while some viewers shared their thoughts for new cookie flavors, many others wanted to get the Oreo vs. Sour Patch Kids fight going strong.

“I’m eating some Sour Patch Kids right now,” one person shared. Another said, “I was just watching Sour Patch Kids.”

Wendy’s is not only known for their fast food, but also their dark and goofy humor on social media. Many of their posts have had viewers scratching their heads trying to figure out just what’s going on. Maybe it’s just clever marketing to get people coming back for more, but whatever it is, it’s entertaining.

They shared a farewell to TikTok video on Saturday captioned, “Gone but never forgotten until I forget in like 2 weeks.”

The video is hard to explain, but we’ll try. Or maybe we’ll just let you watch and figure it out on your own.

“Ma’am. THIS IS A WENDYS,” one person wrote in the comments. Wendy’s responded, “NO ITS A TIKTOK BAN.”

Another said, “BRING BACK VANILLA FROSTY,” to which Wendy’s replied, “BRING BACK TIKTOK.” (Well, one of them got their wish.)

Scrub Daddy, the popular sponge brand, took a fun approach to saying goodbye to TikTok. A few days prior to TikTok going dark, they shared a video captioned, “This isn’t goodbye. It’s see ya somewhere else,” where they recapped some good times and benefits from being on the app. Of course, there were lots of laughs included.

The video includes their partnership with Duolingo, the CEO streaking, lots of scenes with a gigantic yellow Scrub Daddy, and a big thank you to their more than 4 million followers.

Another video they shared had a bit of a different vibe. The video shared a final truth reveal that left viewers leaving interesting comments.

“I BEG UR FINEST PARDON!” one person wrote. Another added, “Todays algorithm is absolutely insane and I’m here for it.” One other viewer shared, “The season finale of TikTok has been WILD.”

Once TikTok was back up and running on Sunday morning, they shared another video asking viewers to “disregard my last post.”