OAK BROOK, Ill. — With the Vancouver Olympics just weeks away, Game sponsor McDonald’s recently unveiled new advertising, athlete-themed packaging and the latest news on its signature programs for the 2010 event.
Earlier this week, Mary Dillon, McDonald’s Global chief marketing officer, John Betts, McDonald’s Canada president and olympians Shawn Johnson (U.S. gold medal gymnast) and Patrick Chan (Canadian men’s figure skating champion and world silver medalist) shared details of how McDonald’s programs will seek to enhance the Olympic experience for fans around the world during the Games this February.
“In addition to feeding the athletes, there is something for everyone to celebrate the Games at our 1,400 McDonald’s restaurants across Canada,” says Betts. “We want our customers to know McDonald’s is their Olympic Games headquarters and we look forward to welcoming the world to celebrate with us.”
At all 1,400 restaurants across Canada, including the 30-plus McDonald’s restaurants in the Vancouver and Whistler areas, customers can enjoy new limited-time menu offerings such as the S’mores Pie and the Crème Brulee Crunch McFlurry.
McDonald’s also unveiled Olympic focused international campaigns, which vary widely from country to country, revealing perhaps just a little about each nation’s sporting priorities.
In addition to six new television commercials, Canadian in-restaurant advertising will feature McDonald’s food favourites and Canadian Olympic athletes Cassie Campbell (women’s ice hockey), snowboarders Brad Martin and Crispin Lispcomb as well as Alexandre Bilodeau (freestyle skiing).
Customers will also see some of their favourite winter athletes on McDonald’s packaging at 15,000 restaurants across the U.S.
Curling and ski jumping fans in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway can look forward to viewing the latest Chicken McNugget’s television commercials, which include a fun twist on Olympic competitions.
In Russia, the iconic Big Mac sandwich will be featured in print and television advertisements. The new commercial celebrates athletes coming together at a McDonald’s restaurant following Olympic Games events.
The big event itself kicks off Feb. 12.
