McDiversification

McDonalds is pushing the limits with unique ad campaigns

Implications - McDonalds isn’t a company people typically associate with killer advertisements, but they have really ramped up their marketing game. What’s interesting is that they aren’t sticking to a specific ad genre, but are testing the waters of everything from viral marketing to living eco billboards.

Trend Themes

  1. Interactive Advertising — McDonald's is testing the waters of everything from viral marketing to living eco billboards, indicating the growing trend of interactive and innovative advertising.
  2. Mobile Loyalty Programs — McDonald's Japan has started an innovative new Contactless Coupon loyalty and payment program that has been under development for nearly a year, suggesting a growing trend in the use of mobile technologies for loyalty programs.
  3. Employee Branding — McDonald's staff attire and environment has been revamped in recent ads, suggesting a growing trend in leveraging brand-consciousness among employees as highly visible brand ambassadors.

Industry Implications

  1. Marketing and Advertising — Interactive advertising campaigns and creative billboards are on the rise, creating a disruptive innovation opportunity in the marketing and ad industry.
  2. Mobile Technology — Mobile loyalty programs are becoming increasingly popular, indicating a growing trend in the use of mobile technologies as a platform for marketing and customer loyalty.
  3. Employee Wellbeing and Satisfaction — Employee branding is gaining traction as an important aspect of brand visibility, representing an opportunity for companies to leverage employee wellbeing and satisfaction to better represent their brand.
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
11 Featured
243,690 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Feb 08 — Sep 08
Trending:
V. Hot
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Racist McDonalds Ad?
Racist McDonalds Ad?
Look Closer : Individuals
At first glance, this new McDonalnds Swedish ad looks very offensive and racist. It says in bold typical McD yellow font "We don't hire Turks, Greeks, Poles, Indians, Ethiopians, Vietnamese, Chinese or… MORE
2 Creative McDonald's Ads
2 Creative McDonald's Ads
WiFi + 24/7 Drive Thru
McDonald's marketing team has been releasing very creative ads lately. I particularly like the minmalist and subtle aspects of their new ads. Take the 24/7 Drive Thru ad created by DDB Auckland ad agency,… MORE
Puzzle Billboards
Puzzle Billboards
McDonald's Sort Your Head Out Campaign
McDonald's has been on a roll with some very creative campaigns recently. The latest is an outdoor billboard that invites you to "sort your head out" with their 1 Euro large coffee. The billboard is… MORE
White Space in Ads
White Space in Ads
McDonalds Draws a Blank
Every designer knows that a good use of white space can be very effective. Keeping a certain proportion of an advertisement without clutter is vital, but just how much is the right amount? McDonalds… MORE
Wind-Up Promotional Toys
Wind-Up Promotional Toys
McDonald's Cranks it Up for Coffee
Be warned Starbucks, McDonald’s is making a very strong push to promote its coffee. Following the unusual Sort Your Head outdoors campaign, Alma DDB has created a fun print ad campaign promoting McDonald’s… MORE
German McDonald's Viral
German McDonald's Viral
Move Your Lederhos'n
If you've ever seen a better German viral than this one for McDonald's then please, send it to us at Trend Hunter! The Huettengaudi is absolutely hilarious. The viral ad, which runs under the tagline… MORE
Ads That Can Only Be Read At Night
Ads That Can Only Be Read At Night
McDonald's Creative Night Adshell
As part of their campaign to announce that McDonald’s restaurants are open all night, DDB Sydney designed a creative outdoor ad that could only be read at night. During the day, it displays the reverse… MORE
Sheltervertising
Sheltervertising
McDonald's Creative Outdoor Billboards
This is a great demonstration of how a good creative direction can utilize the advertising medium and transform a simple ad into something much more interesting. This new 2008 outdoor ad from DDB Denmark… MORE
McDonalds by Mobile
McDonalds by Mobile
Japan's RFID Contactless Coupon Program
McDonald’s Japan has started an innovative new Contactless Coupon loyalty and payment program that has been under development for nearly a year. The program started with 175 stores and will expand gradually… MORE
McDonalds Makeover
McDonalds Makeover
Hip Store, Sleek Uniforms
McDonalds UK revamped their interiors and got new designer chairs and muted colours, but then they didn't stop at that and decided the staff needed a makeover too. McDonalds has replaced the brightly coloured… MORE
Overly Stimulating Ads
Overly Stimulating Ads
Swedish McDonalds Coffee Ads
Featuring cheesy family shots and corny music just won't make the cut for Swedish McDonald's commercials. In a way, it only makes sense to develop something as outrageous as this. Since McDonalds has… MORE