This week's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was delayed for an hour because political demonstrators blocked the route. Of course, this was a huge press event that happened directly in front of Ronald McDonald's ballon. Across the world, there are pictures and videos of Ronald appearing to be supervising or involved in the demonstrations. Let's hope it looks like he disapproves.
8 comments:
Im surprised theres even a Ronald balloon/float anymore given the Chicago marketing geniuses decision to stop using Ronald. Morons.
Yet they use Grimice like they invented him (her/it).
That balloon wasn't built for cheap; I guess using it once a year is smart.
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#BringBackRonald
If Ronald is perceived as a "scary clown" (as per McD marketing), why isnt Grimace perceived as a scary purple monster??? The people making these decisions stopped using Ronald, the second most recognizable icon in the world (behind Santa Claus). Dumb if you asked me.
It is good. Free advertising. People will think of Big Mac and fries. Deliciousness compared to violent rhetoric. Win.
I remember when Tom Brady went through Deflategate. He and Bill Bellichick were on TV every day, multiple times per day with a giant Dunkin' Donuts logo behind their heads. Dunkin did not mind, I'm sure. Delicious coffee and donuts and the GOAT QB and GOAT coach. Nobody got confused and they didn't with Ronald, either.
"Scary Clown"? Wasn't there a movie about a scary clown about the time this group of pajama boys took over McDonald's? It seems like they used that as an excuse to eliminate another important aspect of traditional McDonald's culture.
Yes, some kids are scared of clowns—I'd guess it's about 5% of the kid population. But that doesn't erase the thousands of thrilled kids I've seen at Ronald appearances around the country, and the millions at other appearances, and the thousands of adults eager to shake Ronald's hand.
But you'll always have the oddball. My youngest son was afraid of Santa Claus until he was two - then he discovered that Santa brought toys.
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From "Remembering Larry Light"
by Joan Kidden (from NOA website)
"Larry once dressed up as Ronald McDonald, makeup, red shoes, wig, gloves and costume. He was committed to making Ronald McDonald important again. As the most famous global icon second to Santa Claus, Larry saw the promise that Ronald McDonald could offer the organization. One of Larry’s most favorite moments was delivering a speech to all of the Ronald McDonald’s at the world-wide clown convention. As Larry liked to say, “I freed Ronald McDonald from his Play-Place prison.” Ronald McDonald became an ambassador for the brand."
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Larry was a class act, very pro operator, and is sorely missed. I am proud that the NOA honored him at the most recent annual meeting in November.
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