I’m watching the super hot snowboarders women’s ski race today when a McDonald’s commercial comes on. They’re an official partner of the Olympic games, and that’s no big surprise because they’ve pretty much been involved with the games as long as I can remember. Then their slogan comes across the screen:
McDonalds. Eat Like An Olympian.
Um, what? Apparently, if I go to McDonald’s get some of their limited edition dipping sauce for my McNuggets, then it’s like I’m training for the Olympic Gold. Okay, I’m a grown woman and I know that is a bunch of bull, but my four year old looked up at me and said, “Mom, you’re wrong about nuggets not being healthy! If those sports people eat them, then they must be good for you!”
Yeah, McDonalds seriously undid all the work I’ve done to try to convince her that we don’t have to have every Happy Meal toy ever made.
What’s a mom supposed to do with these commercials, and why the hell is McDonalds getting away with this? I’m glad they’re sponsoring the olympics or whatever, but I could do without them trying to convince my child that if she eats a McRib, then she’s Kerri freakin’ Strug.
Screw you Ronald.
Have a Nice Day and Watch out for the Big Yellow Chicken.
20 Comments so far
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What’s in the “special edition” dipping sauce? Laxatives?
MeadowC´s last blog ..Reading Rain-bow: The Lightning Thief
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Jamie Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@MeadowC, haha like you’d need that after eating mcdonalds…
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By MeadowC on 02.15.10 4:34 pm | Permalink
You know, I had the same exact response when I saw this commercial a few days ago. Seriously, McDonald’s WTF? They really think that we’re all going to rush to McDonald’s because we actually believe Olympic level athletes are all hanging around scarfing down on McDonald’s food? Right. Uh-huh. One does not get to become an Olympic level competitor by snarfing McNuggets no matter how special the dipping sauce is. I know. I’ve eaten my fair share of nuggety type goodness from the golden arches and all it’s ever gotten me is a wider backside and an extreme proficiency at couch sitting…which, last time I checked, was NOT an Olympic event.
This might be the time for the ‘truth in advertising’ talk w/ the little one.
Rhonda´s last blog ..Happy Single Persons Appreciation Day!
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Jamie Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@Rhonda, haha we have this talk ALL the time. I hate how much commercials cater to them!
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By Rhonda on 02.15.10 4:36 pm | Permalink
I’m with you! And I don’t even have kids. But this is ridiculous. Very Mad Men of them.
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Jamie Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@Lara Zielin, haha way to go Mad Men! But yes that’s so true!
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By Lara Zielin on 02.15.10 4:49 pm | Permalink
Seriously, the marketing people behind McD’s are genius’ however, they are also the devil.
Fight the fine fight!
Jeannie´s last blog ..Poem: Winter
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Jamie Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
@Jeannie, haha yes. it’s a fine fine line they walk…
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By Jeannie on 02.15.10 5:04 pm | Permalink
*snort!*
My husband ski raced in college and has been coaching high school racing for eons, so I’ve been around alpine racing for longer than I’d like to admit. One thing you’ll notice is that all alpine ski racers, male or female, have ginormous butts. No joke. It’s a source of great pride, since the “ski racer butt” is generally a mass of hard-earned muscle. However, now that you’ve pointed out the McDonalds thing, I’m going to be looking at those ski racer butts in a new light. Are they the result of a solid weightlifting routine, or a whole lotta Big Macs? I think there’s potential for a whole new ad campaign here!
Love the blog!
Tawna
Tawna Fenske´s last blog ..Being funny without trying
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Jamie Harrington Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@Tawna Fenske, HA! I think you’re right… and at least that campaign would make a little sense
Jamie Harrington´s last blog ..McDonalds Wants Us To Eat Like Olympians?
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By Tawna Fenske on 02.15.10 5:58 pm | Permalink
Wow. Haven’t seen this one. I try to avoid commercials at all cost. Pretty disgusting though.
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Jamie Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
@Anissa, I’m the same way, but the Olympics are just so good live
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By Anissa on 02.15.10 9:31 pm | Permalink
There is definitely a disconnect there. But I guess they can say what they want since they pony up the big bucks.
And my kids get a Happy Meal about once a year. We are friends with the dollar menu, when we go to those places.
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Jamie Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
@nicole, I’ve gotten to where we just go in, get apple slices and play on the playground. Take THAT mcdonalds!
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By nicole on 02.16.10 9:58 am | Permalink
Um, so you mean that the gooey stuff clogging my arteries isn’t olympic gold? Crap! I thought I was on the right track…now I’ll have to start all over again.
Damn you, Ronald. And your little fry-kid, too!
Anyone for some wholesome fried chicken? I mean, grilled, right…
[Reply]
Jamie Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
@Chantal Kirkland, haha FRY KID!
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By Chantal Kirkland on 02.16.10 10:43 am | Permalink
Okay. I just found your blog (clicked on your link from KT Lit.I like to find other writers). This is awesome. You gained a new reader. I had to call my whole family in to hear your blog. Hilarious. Thanks for the laugh!!
Now I’m off to drive to McDonalds. I figure if I start guzzling that dipping sauce now I can qualify for the next Olympics with no problem. Screw writing, this is a much easier goal!
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Jamie Reply:
February 18th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@Callie Forester, haha the best part is, after I wrote it I TOTALLY wanted to try some of that dang chili sauce. Thanks for the awesome compliments
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By Callie Forester on 02.18.10 3:21 pm | Permalink
[...] quit. Asshole. I went home sick one day and he called the store owner to tell him he caught me at McDonalds! Ugh, I want to call that guy and call him names right [...]
By Totally The Bomb.com » Blog Archive » Jobs I Had Before I Was a Writer on 02.22.10 11:00 am | Permalink
[...] McDonalds is setting an incredibly bad example with their barrage of commercials for the 2010 Olympics. It’s not surprising for an organization like McDonalds to provide sponsorship for the event but these commercials have crossed a line. The video above shows a series of spots for the Canadian airwaves (a similar set was shown for the US). It’s absolutely ridiculous for these amazing athletes to purport this body-destroying junk. It may be true that some like to eat McDonalds [and occasionally at best if they want to remain competitive]. But the athletes are setting a terrible example for millions of kids, world wide, who idolize them, as one blogger as noted from her personal experience. [...]
By Apparently You ‘Eat Like Olympians’ at McDonalds « Arnav Shah's Blog on 02.23.10 11:52 pm | Permalink
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