I spent the noon hour with three of my five kids at McDonald’s Play Land, because it was #3’s birthday. McDonald’s was crowded, dirty and greasy from my vantage point. From my son’s stand point it was amazing and the perfect place to celebrate turning four. I really don’t mind going to McDonald’s that much- it makes the kiddies happy as clams and the coffee is decent and cheap.
I just don’t understand why McDonald’s thinks it has to trick people into thinking it’s something it’s not. Their ad campaigns for the last decade seem to imply that American’s are super sized stupid. They think we have forgotten McDonald’s early beginnings with Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, Grimace and the rest of McDonald’s soggy crew.
I feel the need to remind people that
McDonald’s is NOT
- Upscale.
- It is not cool to eat there unless you are under seven years old
- It’s not a hang out joint unless you are a senior citizen.
- It does not serve healthy food.
- It is not a good value.
However it is fun for the kids and I think they should go back to marketing to kids, like this spot from the seventies with Mayor McCheese and Captain Crook!
Of course it could always be worse as this modern Japanese McDonald’s commercial shows. I never thought I would live to see the day they made Ronald sexy and for the record there’s a male version of this commercial too. Maybe I am wrong and we should petition McDonald’s to have the McStripper and the Chippenburglar in American commercials after all sex sells everything!!!
9 responses so far ↓
1 dcr | May 13, 2008 at 2:21 pm
On the video, why is Wendy at McDonald’s? I’m confused. Did she order a Whopper?
On another note, it is always cool to eat at McDonald’s.
2 Michelle Gartner | May 13, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for explaining it- Wendy’s grew up and now she is posing for Vanity Fair.
I just thought Ronald had gender issues.
3 MarketingDeviant | May 13, 2008 at 3:03 pm
That’s a cool commercial I have to admit (the last one)! Mc D is a place where you can be a kid again! (that’s a great marketing pitch, I swear)!
4 JD | May 13, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Ewwww. Maybe I’m old-fashioned and cranky, but that girl Ronald McDonald made me feel sick. That just seems wrong.
I hate to admit that I’m a huge fan of McDonald’s food, tho I would never actually eat in one of the restaurants (absolutely only for kids). I know it’s dirty and greasy and gross, but I heart Big Macs.
5 dcr | May 14, 2008 at 10:51 am
You know, on second read, I like how you’re preparing your kids for a society where you are known by numbers rather than your name. #3, indeed. Probably more like 555-89-20398-98403-1003.
6 Michelle Gartner | May 14, 2008 at 11:06 am
That’s just a way to maintain my children being anonymous on the web. In day to day life I can’t keep track of their names. After I call them by 2 or 3 different names, I end with
“whichever kid you are.”
7 J Adamthwaite | May 14, 2008 at 11:36 am
I’ve never thought of it before, but you’re right. Where did Hamburgler go? McDonalds was for kids but now it’s where we’re all supposed to go… this said, it’s probably a good thing not to be advertising fast food to children, but this isn’t in line with the media’s attitude to these things. Or maybe it’s just that what appeals to kids has changed - they used to appreciate the Hamburgler, but now, if it’s not cool and trendy, it’s not going to sell.
Also, that other advert is disturbing!
8 Bobby Revell | May 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Hi Michelle! I am so disgusted and repulsed by that McStripper, I will never eat at McDonalds again! How dare they not use fully nude models - it is a true disgrace:)
9 Debo Hobo | May 28, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Ah yes the Hamburger Royale, always a yummy choice in Pulp Fiction.
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