Duolingo Bets Bad Bunny Can Save Its Struggling Stock
When your stock tanks 70%, sometimes it takes a reggaeton superstar to rekindle growth. Duolingo is launching a “Bad Bunny 101” Spanish crash course ahead of his Super Bowl halftime show. The marketing blitz comes as shares limp along just 8% above 2021’s IPO price — though the world’s largest hedge fund saw enough to scoop up shares.
- After 2024’s viral Super Bowl ad, Duolingo will air 15-second spots on CBS and Fox — supported by Spotify, SiriusXM, and Pandora placements leading up to Feb. 8’s kickoff.
- Despite Q4’s substantial 30% user growth, AI translation fears continue to weigh on shares — though Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater initiated a position, one of ten new picks.
Marketing-first: The campaign follows months of turbulence — including the departure of Duolingo’s critical social media strategist, backlash to CEO Luis von Ahn’s “AI-first” memo that sparked layoff fears, and a CFO transition. While the company diversifies into music, math, and chess courses, it’s hoping this Super Bowl blitz could help it get another growth boost. Even so, the irony is clear for this language app: viral marketing speaks louder than product fundamentals when Big Tech gives translation away for free.
