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# Endearing Fast Food Ads
The Mcdonald's Apple Tree Ad Uses Animation to Draw You in

By Leslie Chen | Published 2011-05-18 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-apple-tree-ad
References: [adsoftheworld](http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/mcdonalds_apple_tree) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCPFbBBNqTk)

Using cartoon birds and a soft melody to promote McDonald's [Happy Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-meal-collectibles), the McDonald’s [Apple Tree](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-underdogs) ad is definitely different from what consumers normally see from the major fast food chain. Showing a family of birds as they live in an apple tree throughout the seasons, the animation and soothing tone quickly draws you in.

The McDonald’s Apple Tree ad starts off showing the tree being grown; then, the season quickly changes from spring to winter and back again. The advertisement ends with the birds’ nest being filled with apple slices and the family all flying away with the happy meal box.

Appealing to both parents and kids through the emphasis on family and the [use of animation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-holiday-munchkin), the McDonald’s Apple Tree ad is a highly effective combination of entertainment and endearment.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.3/10
- Popularity: 45% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food)

## Key Themes

### Key Themes Behind This Trend

- **Cartoon Fast Food Ads:** This trend presents an opportunity for fast food chains to use animated ads to appeal to a wider audience, especially families with children.
- **Emotional Storytelling in Advertising:** This trend highlights the potential for brands to create emotionally engaging advertisements that resonate with consumers on a deeper level and build brand loyalty.
- **Non-traditional Marketing Approaches:** This trend showcases the efficacy of employing unconventional marketing strategies, such as using animation and a soothing tone, to stand out in a crowded advertising landscape.

### Where This Applies

- **Fast Food:** Fast food chains can leverage this trend to create more captivating and endearing ads that differentiate themselves in the industry.
- **Advertising:** The advertising industry can adopt the trend of emotional storytelling and innovative approaches to create impactful campaigns for their clients.
- **Entertainment:** There is an opportunity for the entertainment industry to collaborate with brands to create animated content that captures audience attention and drives brand awareness.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Nostalgic Fast Food Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheeky-maccas.md)
- [Unusual Fast Food Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/believe-campaign.md)
- [Burger Ad Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-kings-new-campaign.md)
- [Playful QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-campaign-1.md)
- [Nordic QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-8.md)
- [Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-mcdonalds-campaign.md)
- [Playful Adult-Oriented QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adult-happy-meals.md)
- [Charming Christmas Advertisements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sainsburys-christmas-ad.md)
- [Film-Inspired Holiday Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grinch-meal.md)