A Closer Look at McDonalds

Hello readers, today we are going to take an in depth look into one of the greatest advertising companies of present day.  McDonalds has been around for over 50 years, and is one of the most recognized brands in the world.  This is due to a strong marketing strategy that they have presented in the past.  McDonalds also holds a reputation of being bad food, however they must be doing something right to attribute to their success.

Just like with any other company during the early 60's, McDonalds first started advertising using print before the use of TV commercials became popular.  "In 1961 McDonalds launched its first ad campaign with its new logo, the slogan being, 'Look for the golden arches'" (Timeline).    This is just one example that McDonalds used to advertise their products.  The company has had a few slogans that aid their advertisements, but the most recent one has been around for over a decade.  "I'm lovin' it" is a phrase that can be associated with McDonalds in most countries and is the slogan that has carried the majority of their ads in the past decade or so.  Bellow is the first printed ad that McDonalds used to advertise their restaurants.  

http://www.dailyfork.com/2009/02/10_noteworthy_vintage_fast_foo.php

During the mid 60's McDonalds aired its first commercial, introducing their most famous representative, Ronald McDonald.  He also made his first appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  "Ronald McDonald was an instant hit after his appearance in the Macy's Day Parade in 1966" (History).  What people did not realize back then, is that Ronald McDonald would become the most globally recognized representative of any company in history.  I remember as a younger kid I would love watching McDonalds commercials and guess what?  They would always leave me craving a kids meal.  

"In the mid 90's, McDonalds signs a 10 year promotion deal with Disney that enables McDonalds to advertise with the help of Disney, and the inverse effect" (Timeline).  When the deal was in effect, Disney would promote one of its movies by placing toy characters from Disney movies in the happy meals.  These two powerhouse companies teaming up to both advertise in a way that made both companies happy was probably one of the biggest advertising campaigns that McDonalds has ever had.  

Now McDonalds is coming out with their "Random Act of Lovin' campaign.  This is a strategy that is getting people through the door around the country to get a relatively free meal.  At random, McDonalds will select customers to pay with a random act of kindness as opposed to with cash.  This is definitely something that is catching people's attention.  It could backfire in the end, but as of now it is stimulating consumers to walk through McDonald's front door.  It will be interesting to see where this campaign lands the company, and if it will be a successful strategy.  McDonalds has a long history of successful marketing, and it will come as a little bit of a shock if they don't pull through for this advertisement.

Sources:

"McDonald's Timeline." Advertising Age Special Report McDonalds 50th Anniversary RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2015. (Timeline). 
http://adage.com/article/special-report-mcdonalds-50th-anniversary/mcdonald-s-timeline/104055/

"History of McDonald's Advertising (with Images, Tweets) · Czakas1." Storify. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2015. (History). 
https://storify.com/czakas1/history-of-mcdonalds-advertising