"We train more people than the U.S. Army." -Karen King, McDonald's USA's East division president According to Ad Age, Karen King joined McDonald's 30 years ago in Lawrenceville, Ga. Today she manages some 5,000 restaurants, comprising 36% or $10 billion of revenue for the domestic system. Today she's also the star of a new ad campaign that seeks to rid the world of the very concept of "McJobs." "If you have the …
Smells Like Egg Sandwich: Starbucks Stinks
French novelist Marcel Proust wrote a famous series of autobiographical novels called In Search of Lost Time (or Rememberance of Things Past) in which the sense of smell, among others, triggers vivid, emotional memories and unconscious associations. What Proust understood as a writer, Long Horn Steak House and bagel shops understand as marketers: aroma is primal advertising; it can evoke emotions--feelings of comfort …
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Iowa Writer’s Workshop Grad Deconstructs McDonald’s TV
It's been a long while since I clicked by Cup of Chicha, a site I used to frequent. I certainly did not expect to find advertising criticism. But I did. Here it is: With “The Pinky,” my name for McDonalds’ latest TV ad campaign, advertising’s fascination with the hipster lifestyle comes to its final vulgar climax. Co-opting youth culture’s propensity for sign language (e.g., the finger-figurations for signing peace, …
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Stop Projecting Human Qualities On Inanimate Objects
Marc Babej points to this Seed Magazine piece that debunks the idea that brands have personalities. Researchers from the University of Michigan and Harvard University discovered that despite being told over and over again, the American public won't really be "lovin'" their meal at McDonalds, doesn't actually believe Disneyland is "happy" and isn't under the impression that United Airlines' skies are all that …
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American Brands Take A Beating In Pakistan
From AP: Thousands rampaged through two cities Tuesday in Pakistan's worst violence against Prophet Muhammad caricatures, burning buildings housing a hotel, banks and a KFC, vandalizing a Citibank and breaking windows at a Holiday Inn and a Pizza Hut. At least two people were killed in Lahore, where intelligence officials suspected outlawed Islamic militant groups incited the violence to undermine President Gen. …
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Tempeh Burgers Up Next
Boston Globe: McDonald's is giving a jolt to the New England coffee market. Starting next week, the fast-food chain will replace its brew in all 600 New England stores with Newman's Own Organics Blend produced by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. in Waterbury, Vt. It's the only place in the country where McDonald's is making the switch, and the move, analysts say, will help the Golden Arches capture part of the …
Don’t Judge A “Ham + Cheese” By Its Wrapper
Thanks to Frederik Samuels for posting the following ad, created by Heye + Partners. Translation: Nice Try, Mom... …
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McD’s Not Lovin’ This Media Placement
Steve Hall at Adrants brings us this awesome out-of-home juxtaposition. …
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