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Tag: McDonald’s

  • McDonald’s India – North and East reassures customers of safe service in these new series of videos

    McDonald’s India – North and East reassures customers of safe service in these new series of videos

    As the country returns to action in Unlock 1.0 and customers looking forward to once again enjoy their favourite meals, McDonald’s India – North & East is ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for its customers and employees. Whether it is dine-in, delivery, take-out or drive-thru, McDonald’s is making sure that the customers are served their favourites with assured safety. Adhering to the government-mandated safety measures and best global practices, the company has implemented nearly 50 plus process changes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers and restaurant staff. Underlining this commitment, the brand has released a series of videos on its social media platforms reassuring customers of quality food and safe service as the brand resumes its operations.

    Click here to view the videos: Video 1, Video 2

    What's new?

    –       At the outlets

    The company is building on the processes already in place such as thermal screening, masks and gloves for employees, frequent handwashing, and use of hand sanitizers. In addition to these, customers will experience enhanced safety measures such as having their temperatures were taken and the availability of hand sanitizers for everyone to use. To ensure everyone’s safety, customers with high temperature or flu-like symptoms or not wearing masks will not be allowed to enter the premises, as per the Government’s guidelines. As customers enter the restaurant, they will be able to see visual cues on the floor, as well as in the seating area indicating physical distancing. At the front counter, protective plexiglass shields have been introduced as an additional safety barrier for customers and staff. The company has also enhanced its sanitation protocol by introducing broad spectrum hospital-grade virucidal agent to disinfect floor, washrooms, and all frequently touched points/surfaces in the restaurants such as doorknobs/handles, POS, credit card machines, countertops, dining tables/chairs, our Ronald benches, hand dryers etc. 

    –       Drive-Thru and Take Away

    Preparation, packing and order handover is done in a completely contactless manner at the restaurant. Plexiglas sheets are installed at takeaway and drive-thru windows as a protective barrier between restaurant staff and customers. There are designated social distancing markings for all the customers while placing and collecting orders at the TA window. Hand sanitizers are made available for everyone to use.

    –       Contactless Delivery

    The brand is ensuring contactless home deliveries and has kept social distancing markings at the delivery window for delivery riders along with their mandatory temperature check before the order is handed over. It is mandatory for riders to sanitize their hands before order pickup. All delivery bags are sealed with tamper-proof tape with the bill attached to the bag for McDelivery.

    Customers can check the status of a restaurant near them on www.mcdindia.com.

  • Brands alter logos to spread awareness on social distancing

    Brands alter logos to spread awareness on social distancing

    MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: If there’s something sacred for any brand, it is the logo! A logo is like the skin to a brand’s soul. It is what distinguishes the brand from competitors and makes it identifiable with a distinctive character of its own. For decades, brands have invested significantly in promoting their identities using these signs and symbols and any changes in them require a huge strategic and economic planning. It is seldom that we see brands adapting their logos for moment marketing but the ongoing global pandemic of Covid-19 has made many brands take this crucial call.

    Understanding their social responsibility by virtue of their popularity, many brands have synced their logo designs with the message of isolation and social distancing. While most experts would suggest a likely hit on their revenues, some brands have made significant investment on this to show their commitment to the cause.

    The most prominent names in the list of brands that have rebranded their logos for the moment could be McDonald’s, which had its golden arches engraved in its logo in 1962, and Coca Cola.

    According to Mirum India executive creative director Naila Patel, all creativity done by the brands are welcomed. Majorly, at the time of crisis, this kind of move attracts the attention of consumers. “It puts the brand in a humane and emphatic light which increases positivity towards the brand. In today’s times, brands which have a cause in their corner attract consumers. The young, educated and evolved consumers identify themselves better with the brands that stand by causes or show empathy in tough times.”

    Brand-nomics managing director Viren Razdan said: “The Pandemic has brought the world together, united in fear and hope. As all the stops are being pulled out to spread the prevention message, iconic brands are making their popular following count by cleverly weaving in the message into their well-ingrained logos. Coca-Cola Times Square spot is perhaps the most expensive signage, and the impact would be great.”

    He also adds a word of caution for brands. “In the hypersonic media landscape we operate in, marketers and brands do their best to stay relevant in consumer conversations. But as McDonald’s would have learned, any such act requires your own house to be open to public scrutiny or else all this backfires as superficial, clever, opportunistic, and tactical brownie points. The McDonald’s campaign of moving the arches was withdrawn after public outcry on internal policies,” he adds.

    Let’s take a look at some of the brands that have re-shaped their logos.

    Sending out the message that social distancing is the only way to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus, McDonald’s Brazil changed the logo for the company on its official social media handles, separating the letter M, saying “Separados por um momento para estarmos sempre juntos” which translates to “separated for a moment to always be together.” The brand has recently extended the campaign in India and Pakistan as well.

    The quick service restaurant chain, through its social handles including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, has urged citizens worldwide to stay indoors.

    Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has changed its ad on Times Square billboard with letters spread apart in its spelling. The new tagline of the reads, “Staying apart is the best way to stay connected”.

    According to reports, the changes will only be seen on Times billboard.

    German multinational automotive manufacturing company Volkswagen and Audi are also changing their logos temporarily.

    The iconic Volkswagen logo now has its ‘V’ and ‘W’ separated to project the distance that needs to be maintained in this crucial time. Audi has also done the same thing by separating the four rings that have been associated with the brand since the 1930’s.

    Another brand joining the league is Swiss banana producer and distributor Chiquita Brands International. The company posted a new version of its logo without Miss Chiquita saying, ‘I’m already home. Please do the same and protect yourself’.

    Argentina’s ecommerce platform, Mercado Libre, too, tweaked its logo, changing the shaking hands to elbow bumps.

    Closer home, in India, Shopper’s Stop has launched a new creative logo, transforming its identity into a heart-and-infinity sign to salute and applaud frontline professionals for their dutiful actions during these tough times.

    CARS24, a tech-enabled used car platform, has launched “Home24” campaign urging people to stay at home and spreading awareness around hygienic practices including washing hands and self-isolation. As part of this campaign, the company has tweaked its logo from ‘CARS24’ to ‘Home24’ to spread awareness about COVID 19 and conveying the importance of social distancing and ‘stay at home’. The logo has replaced the old logo of CARS24 on the company’s website and across all the social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    Not just logo designs, brands are actively playing with their propositions to spread awareness during these tough times.

    As published in USA Today, Nike is promoting social distancing through a new ad highlighting the importance of staying apart. The ad reads: “If you ever dreamed of playing for millions around the world, now is your chance. Play inside, play for the world.”

    The sports company has, in fact, shut down stores in some countries until 27 March.

    Sports icon Michael Jordan, who had worked with Nike contracts, also shared a message, “Now more than ever, we are one family. #JUMPMAN #playinside

  • McDonald’s launches two TVCs to promote festive “Ab Sabka Combo Chalega” offer

    McDonald’s launches two TVCs to promote festive “Ab Sabka Combo Chalega” offer

    MUMBAI: To promote its offering of more than 30 combos a price of Rs 59, McDonald’s in West and South India (operated by Westlife Development Ltd through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd) has launched two TVCs conceptualised by DDB Mudra, tapping into the festive season.

    The first TVC shows two kids dressed as a lion and a deer ordering for a veg and a non-veg combo. After the server gives non-veg combo to the lion and veg combo to the deer, the kids quickly swap their order as the lion turns out to be a vegetarian.

    The second TVC features a man dressed as Raavan placing his order for multiple combos. The server takes the order and looks up to confirm and asks ‘that’s it sir’ and after seeing the costume with multiple heads, quickly corrects himself to say ‘sirs’. 

    These TVCs went on air early this week and will be aired on leading channels supported by digital and outdoor.

    Sharing his views on the newly launched campaign and TVC, Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd Director – Marketing and Communications Arvind RP said, “We are an everyday value brand and with McSaver combos, we are giving our customers great variety at a compelling price point, truly bringing alive the promise of value. The TVCs tap into the festivities and communicate the proposition in a quirky way.”

  • This festive season head to McDonald’s for ‘Asli Bachat’ with the dhamaka – McSaver combo offer @ Rs. 59

    This festive season head to McDonald’s for ‘Asli Bachat’ with the dhamaka – McSaver combo offer @ Rs. 59

    MUMBAI: McDonald’s India (West and South) has kicked off the festive season in style by launching by giving customers ‘Asli Bachat’. The brand is offering more than 30 combos of scrumptious burgers/sides along with select beverages at an irresistible price of flat INR 59.

    This exciting new campaign is in line with the company’s strategy to build the McSavers value platform and give customers great variety and convenience at an unparalleled value.

    These combos will be available across all 300 McDonald’s restaurants in the West and the South starting now. And for the first few days this too-good-to-be-true offer can be availed of exclusively on the PayTM app. All customers need to do is buy the INR 59 voucher off the app and redeem it at any McDonald’s restaurant in West and South against their favourite combo.

    Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Arvind RP, Director – Marketing and Communications, HRPL, said, “Our strategy is to build McDonald’s as an everyday value destination delivering on variety and a differentiated experience. We started off the year with a ‘McSaver Meals’ campaign that resonated strongly with our customers. With this ‘McSaver combos’ campaign, we are further solidifying this platform by giving our customers a great menu variety at a compelling price point.” 

    That’s not all! To add to the excitement, McDonald’s is also creating limited edition collectible coins – ‘Bitecoin’, which will be given out to a few lucky customers. If you are excited to get your hands on these coins, tune into McDonald’s social media platforms!

    McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India are operated by Westlife Development Ltd. (WDL), through its wholly owned subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (HRPL).

  • McDonald’s launches quirky TVCs

    McDonald’s launches quirky TVCs

    MUMBAI: Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd, the master franchisee of McDonald’s in West and South India, has launched three new TVCs to promote its ‘Thank God It’s Fry-Day!’ proposition. The restaurant is offering the customers free fries with its medium McSaver meal.

    The three TVCs, which have been conceptualised by DDB Mudra, reinforce the company’s brand promise of ‘easy to feel good’ and capture the customers’ absolute delight on getting free fries in a fun and quirky way. With this, the brand is all set to make its customers say ’i’m lovin’ it’ over and over again.

    This is an integrated campaign which will be aired across TV, digital and social platforms.

    Sharing his views on this campaign, Hardcastle Restaurants director – marketing and communications Arvind RP said, “At McDonald’s, we believe in offering our customers unparalleled value. Value for today’s customer is a combination of price, experience and variety and that is the key insight behind this campaign. We want to delight our customers and offer them wholesome and nutritious meal options, complete with our iconic fries. Our strategy is to drive value for our customers through our McSavers platform and position McDonald’s as a meal destination for all consumer groups.”

  • McDonald’s offers decade old menu prices for #10yearchallenge

    McDonald’s offers decade old menu prices for #10yearchallenge

    MUMBAI: While several brands have undertaken the #10yearchallenge in the past few days, McDonald’s latest attempt might be the best take so far. The brand is aggravating nostalgia amongst its patrons by offering its products at 10-year old prices. The offer can only be availed by McDonald’s app users for 10 days starting 23 January.

    The customers can simply show the offer within the app, which was launched by  Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd earlier this month, to the counter crew while placing the order, at any McDonald’s restaurant across West and South India.

    Hardcastle Restaurants general manager – brand extensions Akshay Jatia said, “As the 10 year challenge gained momentum, we at McDonald’s wanted to do something beyond just posting a picture or putting a post out on the social media. Over years, we have delivered unparalleled value to our customers. Through our own 10 year challenge, we wanted to provide our customers a unique value proposition and reinforce that while we have evolved over the last 10 years, we have not changed – we still continue to deliver unparalleled value.”

    Speaking further on the ‘McDonald’s’ app launch, he added, “We are committed to enhancing our digital capabilities and leveraging technology to deliver enhanced value and convenience to our customers. The new McDonald’s app, that lets our customers avail of a slew of attractive in-store offers at their fingertips, is a step in this direction.”

  • Arvind RP is new director of marketing, communications for McDonald’s west and south

    Arvind RP is new director of marketing, communications for McDonald’s west and south

    MUMBAI: Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Westlife Development Ltd and master franchisee of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has announced the appointment Arvind RP as its director-marketing and communications . He has been trusted with the responsibility of leading the overall marketing and communications strategy for brand, to further strengthen its leadership in the QSR space.

    Prior to this, Arvind was working with Kaya Ltd as the head of marketing and analytics for the past six years.

    An alumnus of Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Trichy, Arvind has completed various executive education programs from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, as well.

    He has over 18 years of experience in marketing and sales and Arvind has worked across geographies and categories including retail (Levi Strauss), consumer goods (Britannia), and automobiles (TVS Motor Company).

  • McDonald’s shows that you’re never too old for toys

    McDonald’s shows that you’re never too old for toys

    MUMBAI: McDonald’s Happy Meal was best known for the toy that came with the pack. Now, the brand is allowing any meal to be made into a Happy Meal by adding a toy for just Rs 35.

    Inspired by the hundreds of entries McDonald’s received for the biggest Happy Meal fan search, the campaign focuses on kids of all ages — a unique search for the biggest Happy Meal Toy collectors in India!

    Conceptualised by Leo Burnett, the digital campaign brings to the fore the heart-warming story of Sunil Chawla, a 35-year-old man, based in Bangalore. Sunil has, over the years, collected over a whopping 300 Happy Meal toys! The film shows Sunil speaking fondly about how his obsession with the Happy Meal toys began. He describes his possessiveness and how over the years he’s made sure to travel far and wide just to complete his toy collection.

    McDonald’s India senior vice president of strategy, innovation and capability Seema Arora Nambiar says, “Since the launch of the iconic Happy Meals in India in 1997, it has grown in popularity. The toys that our customers have collected bring back the happy memories created over food. We wanted to celebrate the emotional connect that our customers have with the brand through their Happy Meal toys, which is why we have featured a real life Happy Meal toy collector and his story in this ad film!”

    Leo Burnett South Asia chief creative officer Rajdeepak Das adds, “There is a child in all of us, and we keep indulging this child with its favourite treats however old we may be. McDonald’s has just made it easier for everyone to embrace this child. We don’t stop liking toys, for instance, just because we grow up, do we? The joy of collecting toys knows no age. This simple idea got us to the story of Sunil, and we knew it was a story that our consumers would instantly resonate with.”

    The new campaign employs digital and social media as touch points.

  • Brands kick off holiday ads way before Christmas

    Brands kick off holiday ads way before Christmas

    MUMBAI: A famous quote in advertising correctly justifies the medium – ‘Creativity without strategy is called art, creative with strategy is called advertising’. 
    It does stand true as advertising is creatively conveying your message to the viewers. Ad folk are obsessed with creativity which brings out the best in agencies that end up becoming memorable. 
    With holiday season around the corner, brands world over are pulling up their socks (did we hear Santa?). Holidays also give the audience more time to watch the ads as people tend to sit back, relax and enjoy some “me-time” by watching television or browsing social media platforms. Holiday ads are also significant as people tend to shop and splurge on gifts for family and friends around Christmas and New Year. 
    In our constant endeavour to bring forth interesting content to our readers, Indiantelevision.com has commenced a new weekly series, wherein we would showcase prominent international campaigns of the week that went by. 
    To kickstart the holiday season, we list down some of the most creative campaigns around the world this week. We are sure that these ads will get you in holiday mood ahead of time.
    LEGO Australia Christmas ad:

    Lego Australia created a stop-motion animation about a Lego Santa finding his way home to save Christmas, thanks to a surprise help from a spirited stranger, Sensei Wu. The campaign is a delightful little story that perfectly illustrates the sort of elaborate world-building Lego toys foster and the imaginative play that can happen within the little universe. The campaign was created by CHE Proximity agency. 
    Apple Holiday ad:

    Mobile giant Apple launched its holiday campaign called “Sway”. The ad features a brief appearance by the new iPhone X, but mostly revolves around AirPods and sharing an experience with music with someone special. The protagonist runs into a guy, imagines sharing an AirPod with him and the two fall in love before returning to reality where they pass by each other in the street. 
    Heathrow bears Christmas ad: 

    In the latest campaign by London’s Heathrow airport, much loved teddy bears Mr and Mrs Blair make a comeback to celebrate Christmas. During the two-minute video for Britain’s biggest airport, the emotional story follows the married couple from 1967 to the present day over the decades, as they longingly wait for each other in arrivals. The ad has been produced by Heathrow airport and is sure to make you teary-eyed. 
    Otto retail Christmas ad: 

    The short film revolves around the tale of a trapped Bolivian traveller to inspire togetherness in Christmas. Produced by BIGFISH, the campaign aims to get us into the spirit of Christmas regardless of where we are.
    McDonald’s reindeer ad: 

    McDonald’s has come up with an ‘awee-worthy’ ad this holiday season that talks about the tradition of leaving a gift for reindeers on Christmas for their hard work. The campaign conceptualised by Leo Burnett is part of McDonald’s #ReindeerReady Christmas menu.