# Hideously Cute PR Stories Detroit Zoo's Baby Aardvark Woos the Press With Its Ugliness By Cowbag | Published 2009-01-19 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hideously-cute-pr-stories-dertoit-zoos-baby-aadark References: [mlive](http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/hideously_cute_baby_aardvark_b.html) This chap is beyond cute, I am just so in love with him. My reaction is a perfect example of how Amani, a [baby aardvark](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moo-deng-collectible) at the Detroit Zoo, can spread [good feelings to people](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heartwarming-hugs). Of course it also helps that he was rather brilliantly described as "hideously cute" by the Associated Press, who had a field day showcasing images of this fellow. Amani is 23-inches long and weighed 3 pounds, 10 ounces at birth. He has a face really only a mother could love. I’m sold. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Cute-ugly Animal Craze:** Opportunity to capitalize on the demand for cute yet unconventional-looking animals in the pet industry, bringing in more revenue and redefining mainstream beauty standards. - **Zoo-based Digital Marketing:** Opportunity to use social media and digital marketing strategies to increase awareness and tourism to zoos and other animal-related attractions, increasing accessibility and exposure to lesser-known species. - **Emotional Marketing Tactics:** Opportunity to utilize emotional marketing tactics to appeal to audiences, showcasing the positive effects that animals can have on mental health and wellbeing, and create unique narratives that promote empathy and environmentalism. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Pet Industry:** By catering to the cute-ugly animal craze, pet stores can diversify their offerings and provide unique, unconventional animals to consumers, tapping into a previously unexplored market. - **Digital Marketing Industry:** Zoos and animal attractions can create partnerships with digital marketing firms to create effective and impactful campaigns that increase awareness of the unique animals that live within them. - **Tourism Industry:** Capitalizing on the emotional aspect of animal-related attractions may increase tourism revenue to zoos, aquariums, and other animal-related experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Humorous Mens Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axe-campaign.md) - [Hygienic Hippo Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/confessions-of-moo-deng.md) - [Anthropomorphic Cup Plush Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amusesable-coffee.md) - [Plush Toy Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urupochachan.md) - [Fluffy Plush Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urupocha-chan.md) - [Unsightly Oatmeal Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quaker-deliciously-ugly-campaign.md) - [Bionic Panda Cubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anan-bionic-panda-cub.md) - [Plush Monster Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/labubu.md) - [Cuddly Plush Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skoosherz.md)