If you were one of the millions of people that watched either the Green Bay Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL playoffs or the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, one ad probably kept you from checking your phone or heading to the bathroom during the commercial break. And that ad came from none other than the fast food mac daddy of them all, McDonald's.
You may even still be thinking about that ad hours later today. So are many others who witnessed its TV debut. However, that's not necessarily a good thing.
McDonald's is causing a bit of a stir on the Interwebs today for its latest commercial featuring snapshots of the signs at local restaurants across the country. Instead of listing menu items or promotions, these signs showcase messages of support for the local community, such as "Thank you veterans," "We believe in you Crystal" and "Boston Strong." The soundtrack to this sentimental visual is equally sentimental with a children's choir singing a cover of Fun.'s "Carry On."
All of the signs are authentic and have been used within the past 20 years, according to McDonald's. The fast-food chain even set up a Tumblr where you can read about the true stories behind the signs. Even though McDonald's intended this commercial to show how it connects with and supports the local community, many found it strange and ill-timed for the fast-food company to espouse its benevolence when its employees very publicly went on strike last year to fight for a living wage.
McDonald's! We care about america but not actually paying workers what they need to live.
— Dejected Spilliam (@IAmSpilly) January 11, 2015
McDonald's is presenting itself as the face of corporate kindness? PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES A LIVING WAGE. #GoldenGlobes — Alonso Duralde (@ADuralde) January 12, 2015
Others thought McDonald's was exploiting natural disasters and tragic events for its own economic gain.
And in the middle of NFL anarchy, we have McDonald's using national tragedies to sell ammonia-laden hamburgers. — Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) January 11, 2015
McDonald's is there for you from one senseless tragedy to the next. Remember that next time you're at the Burger King drive-thru...
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) January 12, 2015
Some, including me, just found the ad unsettling.
Creepiest McDonald's ad.
— Jody Rosen (@jodyrosen) January 11, 2015
Meanwhile, this McDonald's sign commercial is one of the most dystopian things I've ever seen — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) January 11, 2015
However, the commercial still had its fans.
That @McDonalds signs ad is masterful advertising. Surprised it wasn't saved for the Super Bowl https://t.co/4d6tvQdqeB
— Brook Silva-Braga (@Brook) January 11, 2015
I know I'm a sap- those McDonald's ads that show the signs under the arches make me want to cry. #NFLPlayoffs
— Liz Habib (@LizHabib) January 11, 2015
If you also enjoyed the new McDonald's ad, you'll find loads of more fun on the company's official Tumblr. As for the rest of us, maybe this finally gives us an excuse to switch over to Burger King. They're apparently lowering their prices anyway.
