I have an extreme phobia of clowns, so this McDonald's India ad seriously has me rattled. I'm not sure what the point is, but it was featured on Advertising Age, and I can't get the image out of my head.
As they put it over at AdAge, "Consider this a Hindu's revenge for all those hamburgers you've eaten. I don't know if this qualifies as an icon, but the poster child for McDonald's in India should have been thrown out with the bathwater."
I second that! It was featured in an article about the most creepy advertising icons according to the sites readers.
Unfortunately (or fortunately in my case), the video doesn't feature the creepy baby Ronald, but it is another glimpse into Indian marketing for McDonalds. Check it out!
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Creepy Advertising
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating less scary and more effective advertising campaigns.
- Cultural Sensitivity in Marketing
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating culturally sensitive marketing campaigns to avoid offending potential customers.
- Alternative Marketing Strategies
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in exploring unconventional marketing strategies that grab attention without being unsettling.
Where This Applies
- Marketing
- The marketing industry can benefit from exploring new and improved methods for creating engaging advertising that doesn't rely on fear or unsettling imagery.
- Fast Food
- The fast food industry must become more aware and respectful of cultural differences and customs to avoid losing potential customers and maintain brand reputation.
- Social Media
- Social media platforms can be leveraged to create viral marketing campaigns that are unconventional and engaging without being frightening or unsettling.
