Personalized Pranks takes on election season
Former Berks County resident launches light-hearted business in time for election season
Finally, a lighthearted way to get back at that friend or family member who always feels the need to talk politics — by announcing to their entire neighborhood they’re voting for the other guy.
Former Berks County resident Todd Krise is going into the funny business with Personalized Pranks, an e-commerce store specializing in customizable gag gifts.
Krise’s signature product: political yard signs that display the prank victim’s name and photo alongside 2020 presidential candidates Donald Trump or Joe Biden.
“I hope with all the partisanship people can see the humor beind it,” said Krise, a full-time communications director based in Louisville, Ky. “Especially after they’ve spent three-and-a-half years arguing about it.”
Next door neighbor always ranting about what he or she saw on Fox News? Put them on the ticket with Biden and add a decoration to their front lawn. Crazy aunt or uncle trying to push a liberal agenda at every family gettogether? Slap their picture next to Trump’s and watch their face turn red.
It’s all in good fun, insists Krise, adding his products are designed to elicit a reaction from both the gift giver and the receiver.
Incidentally, they’re perfect for social distancing during a pandemic, too.
“When somebody hears prank, they immediately think something mean, but this is just a very personalized, customized gift,” said Krise.
“I hope my future shoppers see it the same way. If they’re going to pay for something, I want them to see the value in it, give a personal gift and get a laugh.”
The begining
For Krise, having a little fun at another person’s expense is nothing new, fully admitting he’s known for playing practical jokes — particularly on his in-laws, but “no one is immune,” he said.
As the gags became more elaborate, often using intricate props specially created to further the deception, Krise began to see opportunity in his hobby.
“Personalized Pranks is a combination of the last 12 years of professional development and using those skills to torment people,” said Krise.
“It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do in life. As a little kid, every April Fools’ Day I tried to get my mom, grandparents, everybody. It only got more sophisticated as I’ve gotten older.”
The custom political signs Krise is using to launch Personalized Pranks were born out of the current polarized social media landscape — not as a means to stoke rage, but rather an attempt to provide levity and cut through the toxicity of those online discussions.
“I used to have conversations with a friend on social media and would fight outwardly in public about some topics,” said Krise.
“We would have to send texts saying, ‘I’m sorry, hope you didn’t take it personally.’”
“It hit me then.”
Take the argument offline, Krise recommends.
“We can have our differences and see the lighter side of it, too,” he said.
Krise acknowledges some potential targets may not see the humor in being identified with the wrong politician or party in this charged political environment.
In his own extensive pranking experience though, people generally appreciate the thought and effort that goes into the gift once they know they’ve been had.
“It’s taking some quirky information about that person and turning it into a different form of media,” said Krise. “That’s what I love is their reactions. Their minds are blown.
“And it’s a two-way communication. Not only is somebody getting a gift, but you get a notification they received the prank and know when to expect an angry text message. It’s an experience for both parties.”
Next up
As long as customers order their customer signs from PersonalizedPranks.com by Oct. 26, they are guaranteed to arrive before Election Day on Nov. 3. Of course, the sooner you order, the more mileage the gag can get.
The custom political signs currently retail for $39.99.
Krise is fully aware the presidential race will eventually end, even if nasty political discourse doesn’t, and Personalized Pranks will need to release new products that can access different revenue streams.
The start-up is currently devising a holiday-themed gag.
“A Christmas prank for parents,” said Krise. “Something along the lines of elf on the shelf. Parents will be able to print their kids’ picture, then somebody places the sign outside that says these children are on the naughty list.”
The long-term plan for Personalized Pranks is to tap deeper into the first part of the name — personal.
Krise would like to develop an artificial intelligence chat that can interact with customers and obtain more details about the would-be victim.
“I’d like to add a data scientist as part of my leadership team who will help me develop a bot that can extract information from a customer,” said Krise. “We can use AI to understand the person being pranked.
“That’s one of my main goals for the future because it’s very hard unless I hop on the phone or have a lengthy conversation to get that information.”
The idea is to eventually create and sell pranks completely unique to the user instead of working off of templates — exactly like Krise would do for his in-laws.
“It’s all about the detail you put in to individualize it,” said Krise.