# Brand-Boosting Mythology Hoaxes Fred & Farid Shanghai Made People Believe the Qilin Was Real By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-02-03 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fred-and-farid-shanghai References: [creativeguerrillamarketing](http://www.creativeguerrillamarketing.com/viral-marketing/chinese-jewelry-brand-qeelin-recreates-qilin/) & [fredfarid](http://www.fredfarid.com/eng/) Qeelin is an up-and-coming high-end luxury brand that consulted the [Fred & Farid Shanghai](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fred-farid) ad agency to help get its name into the market. The name of the jewelry brand, Qeelin, takes inspiration from the Qilin, a Chinese mythological creature that’s like a cross between [a unicorn and a dragon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unicorn-toots) that’s said to be an omen of prosperity. Qeelin wanted to capitalize on this creature, but the problem was that it doesn’t really exist — so this is where Fred & Farid Shanghai came in to craft an [elaborate hoax](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/switzerland-is-fake) to bring the Qilin to life. Quite simply, a baby Qilin was Photoshopped into old photos and added to a vintage film to make it seem like the creature had a place in history. Qeelin commissioned bloggers to spread the new evidence of the Qilins across social media. From there, the “babyqilin” hashtag took off and caused people to question if the creatures were really real. After four days, Qeelin revealed in a blog post that it was all a hoax and 2.1 million people read about it. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 95% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mythical Creature Hoax Marketing:** Brands may utilize the concept of mythical creatures to create a buzz in marketing campaigns. - **Innovative Digital Advertising Techniques:** Digital advertising companies can explore new methods, like using mythological creatures as a new promotional tool for luxury brands. - **Viral Marketing in Social Media:** Marketing professionals can consider capitalizing on popular social media platforms to increase brand awareness and create buzz for innovative marketing campaigns. ### Who This Affects Most - **Luxury Goods:** Luxury goods companies can use innovative and creative advertising techniques to boost their brand and create a unique buzz using mythological creatures in their products. - **Digital Advertising:** Digital advertising agencies can develop personalized, viral campaigns for luxury brands with the inclusion of innovative and new techniques like mythical creatures to create buzz. - **Social Media Platforms:** Social media platforms can be used as an effective tool by marketing professionals to increase brand awareness and create a buzz for their innovative campaigns that captivate users with mythological creatures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dragon-Inspired Luxury Skincare](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-year-campaign.md) - [Harmony-Emphasizing 3D Advertisements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-advertisement.md) - [Interactive Luxury Brand Storytelling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mystery-at-the-grooms.md) - [Premium Kitchen Pranks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eureka-spiritis.md) - [Fantastical Creature-Inspired Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/irnbru-xtra-legend-editions.md) - [Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innocean-berlin.md) - [Color-Changing Marshmallow Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lucky-charms-hidden-dragon.md) - [Fictional Brand Collaboration Websites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brxndai.md) - [High-Concept Brand Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legitimate-you.md)