# McDonalds India Uses Baby Ronald Scaring Customers Away? By Bianca | Published 2007-09-28 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-baby-ronald References: [adage](http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=120746#comments) I have an extreme phobia of clowns, so this [McDonald's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-and-mcdonalds) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/believe-campaign) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grimace-game-boy). Check it out! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Retro QSR Meal Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonaldland.md) - [Reimagined Fast Food Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-and-mcdonalds.md) - [Burger Ad Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-kings-new-campaign.md) - [Nostalgic QSR Miniature Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-meal-collectibles.md) - [Nostalgic Fast Food Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheeky-maccas.md) - [Nostalgic Kidult Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-meals-for-adults.md) - [Playful QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-campaign-1.md) - [QSR-Backed NFT Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grimace-1.md) - [Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-mcdonalds-campaign.md)