Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly Fakevertising
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Jan 17, 2026 Dive into the quirky world of fake advertising where companies create comically fake products to grab attention. Discover how Obvious Plant turned pranks into a profitable venture and how Maybelline's subway mascara hoax went viral. Learn about clever stunts like Fevicol's glued-down free store and how Payless fooled fashion influencers with a luxury brand facade. Explore the psychology behind fake ads and why they capture our interest while still appearing genuine. Marketing has never been so entertaining!
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Planting Absurd Products In Real Stores
- Jeff Wysoski secretly planted fake, absurd products like "Showerkraut" on real store shelves to watch reactions.
- His Obvious Plant stunts became a viral business and led to paid product sales and Hollywood interest.
Fakery As Attention Strategy
- Marketers now create fake ads and experiences to earn attention rather than deceive.
- The trick is to look completely legitimate while gently pulling the audience's leg.
Maybelline’s Viral CGI Subway Stunt
- Maybelline posted a hyper-real subway mascara stunt that was actually CGI and went viral online.
- The fake video still boosted Sky High Mascara visibility and reportedly doubled year-over sales growth.