Tag Archives: McDonald’s

by | Tuesday, June 2, 2015 · 9:05 am

McDonald’s Turns Bags into Trays

McD

Do you ever feel guilty crumpling up a takeout bag after a trip to a fast-food restaurant? McDonald’s has a solution with a cleverly-designed takeout bag now being used in Hungary.

Aptly named the “BagTray,” the eco-friendly, recyclable paper bag utilizes a perforated strip near the bottom of the bag. A single rip separate the bag into two pieces, turning the reinforced cardboard bottom into a handy tray. The new BagTray acts as a plate, making it easier to eat messy foods on-the-go. And, helping to keep the grease off our desks.

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss packaging concepts – utility, form, function, design, material, color, etc. What makes effective packaging?
  2. Poll students about packaging that could be improved.
  3. Show the video: https://vimeo.com/126129580
  4. Now, have students brainstorm ways to redesign the packaging they identified earlier.

Source: Gizmodo, Time, Business Insider

 

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by | Friday, April 24, 2015 · 5:34 am

Big Mac Décor for the Home

Dog

Branding is an incredibly valuable part of a company’s portfolio. Companies strive to get logos and products placed in unexpected places. While we are now used to seeing brands promoted in movies and television shows, companies have to do more surprising placements to get our attention. Enter McDonald’s “lifestyle collection” of Big Mac- themed items available for purchase online.

Big Mac is the most popular hamburger in Sweden, and McDonald’s sponsors the Swedish Alpine and Cross Country Ski Team. As part of the sponsorship, thermal underwear carrying Big Mac icons was produced for the team members. Now, the collection has been expanded to include such items as Big Mac wallpaper, Big Mac sheets, Big Mac raincoat, Big Mac Wellington boots, and a Big Mac dog coat.

No word yet on what seeing the Big Mac picture everywhere does to one’s appetite for burgers.

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss product placement and branding.
  2. Divide students into teams. Have each team list the product placements they can remember.
  3. Show the Big Mac Shop Web site:

http://bigmacshop.se/

  1. Divide students into teams and assign each team an iconic brand. Have the team develop a series of products using the brand, logo, or product image.
  2. Have each team present its product set, and then have the class vote on which products best represent the brand and have the opportunity to increase awareness or sales.

Source: Ad Age Daily

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by | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 · 6:52 pm

Pay for Burgers using Cans!

Cans

In a nutshell: Hungry, but short on cash while in Stockholm, Sweden? Forgot your credit card? No problem – McDonald’s in Stockholm are using metal, in the form of cans, as a currency to pay for those burgers and fries.

The campaign used outdoor media to launch and placed billboards announcing that the Golden Arches would accept payment for food with “cards, cash and cans.” For 10 cans, a customer could buy a hamburger, 20 cans are needed for cheeseburgers, and for a mere 40 cans one could get a Big Mac.

Sounds like a great way to recycle and still satisfy a craving for fast food!

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss payment options that retailers use.
  2. How can payment options be re-created to impact society? Use the white board to list ideas and encourage creativity.
  3. Next, explain the McDonald’s solution in Stockholm. What are the implications of the campaign?
  4. Divide students into teams and have each select a retail chain. Have each team develop a socially-responsible payment campaign for that retail chain.
  5. Debrief the exercise. What are the common elements used in the campaigns?

Source: Ad Age Daily, Creativity-online

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