Today In Olympic News: Is McDonalds Selling Out To China?
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
I've been trying not to pay attention to the Olympics, but with nothing else going on outside of A-Rod doing Madonna, it's been tough. Today's interesting story out of China involves the Games' main sponsor McDonald's apparently selling out to sell burgers in the host nation. From SBB....
Ronald, Grimace, the Hamburglar, and the other characters at McDonald’s have chosen the slogan “Wo jiu xihuan Zhongguo ying,” for their Chinese marketing campaign. When translated the phrase means “I love it when China wins.” Think “I’m Lovin’ It” with a sino addendum.Yeah that's a bit over the top don't you think? It's a tough spot for McDonalds to be in, but in the end they're a Global company now and they have to think that way. It will be interesting to see if they either apologize or perhaps come up with a different campaign.
Brian Sullivan of the Fox Business Channel breaks sums up how all Americans should feel.
“Supporting the host nation is one thing … and you’re spending a lot of money on the Games and it’s appreciated. But show your appreciation to the American athletes and don’t openly pander to China’s Olympic fervor. Remember: you are an American company. You were built here”
McDonald’s Ad: “I’m Lovin’ It When China Wins” (Sports By Brooks)
10 Comments:
The schedule for the olympic games is out if anyone cares:
http://nbcumv.com/special/C__Documents_and_Settings_206070849_Desktop_24_Hour_Listings_Doc_PDF.pdf
"...don’t openly pander to China’s Olympic fervor."
Isn't that supposed to be "panda"?
Wouldn't "China" be Chinese for China and not Zhongguo???
my apologies:
http://nbcumv.com/special/S__Press_DEPTS_NBCMV_Press_Kits_2008_olympics_schedule08.pdf
will be the link.
McDonalds is horrible, anyway. The way I see it, this gives me just another reason to not like them.
This probably will cost them some business though, I'm sure the diehards will get upset over it and boycott the restaurant.
What are the odds Nike ever places an ad rooting for good ol' Team USA? Or Adidas doing the same for Germany during a World Cup?
This is just stoopid. I do not care how many brownie points they got, or how much pressure was brought to bear by the PRC. An international conglomerate needs to remain neutral.
I might be completely missing the sarcasm, in which case I apologize, GMoney, but Zhongguo is correct.
It literally means "middle kingdom"...so yeah, they really do think of themselves as the center of the universe.
In any case, Wendy's has become much better than McD's, in my humble opinion.
Guess I'll have to boycott them. Oh wait, I haven't eaten at McDonalds for 7 years anyway.
Sounds like boycott time to me. Not too hard since their food stinks.
EAH