Where Curiosity Meets the Right Information

Tuesday , 10 February 2026

Where Curiosity Meets the Right Information

Tuesday , 10 February 2026
Brand Updates

The Best Marketing Stunt Of The Year: Payless Pranks The Influencers

Share
The Best Marketing Stunt Of The Year: Payless Pranks The Influencers
Share

How would you feel if I tell you that you have to pay $600 (roughly BDT 48000) for a shoe that normally costs around $20 (roughly BDT 1600)? No, it’s not a prank.
I know, you will be furious! But now think in reverse and imagine you can have a shoe for BDT 1600 which seems like a shoe that costs BDT 48000. Most importantly if this information reaches to you from your favorite online influencer, then you will be like-

“Take my money and give me those shoes!”

To your much pleasant surprise, “Payless- the discounted footwear retailer in America” has pulled of the best marketing prank of this year recently. The brand arranged a brilliant social experiment where they opened an extremely fake luxurious boutique outlet called Palessi and invited a group of influencers to come and shop the brand’s new styles in LA.
According to a report by CBS, Payless invited around 60 influencers to attend their launching of the fake luxury store and charged their products with an staggering 1800% mark up. Surprisingly, all the influencers were happy to pay the amount.
You will be surprised to see their testimonials while purchasing the product. Have a look:

All the guests were stunned when they were told about the actual experiment. Well, eventually all the influencers got their money back and were allowed to keep the shoes as gift.
If you want to know more about Payless products and their designs, then you should visit their website.
What a brilliant move from Payless and the agency named DCX Growth Accelerator that made it all happen. You won’t find a better example this year of promoting your brand as a symbol of luxury within the affordable range. Tricking the influencers to have proper testimonials was the game changer here.
This campaign also indicates towards the power of branding in today’s capitalist world. Payless wanted to influence the consumer perception on how much luxury should cost and they have nailed it with perfection.
So, well done, Payless! Behold.

Share

Leave a comment

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Related Articles
Image 3
Brand UpdatesLatest Happenings

HONOR Bangladesh hosts workshop for BJIF journalists to explore responsible AI use in media

HONOR Bangladesh successfully organized “Practical AI & Media Integrity Workshop with HONOR...

Mr. Mohammad Masum Parvez.jpg
Brand UpdatesEconomy & IndustryLatest Happenings

Energypac promotes Mohammad Masum Parvez to Chief Operating Officer

Energypac has announced the appointment of Mohammad Masum Parvez as its new...

Grameenphone Logo 500x313 1
Brand UpdatesLatest Happenings

Country’s Largest Telecom Operator Grameenphone Records Eight-Year Low Profit in 2025

Grameenphone, the country’s largest mobile operator, recorded an 18% decline in profit...

Apple compra Q.ai
Brand UpdatesGlobalLatest Happenings

Apple Marks Second-Biggest Acquisition with Nearly $2 Billion Investment

Apple has acquired Israeli artificial intelligence startup Q.ai for approximately $2 billion,...