McDonald's asks America to top its classic ad jingle
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Food
Just what do marketing agencies do these days, if companies are increasingly turning to regular folks to create their jingles and add campaigns? The latest to step into the user-generated content fray is McDonald's, which is reviving its classic jingle from 1974, "Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame-seed bun."
The user part is to create a new version of the jingle -- using the same words, in the same order -- and post it on MySpace.com. They have received over 1,000 submissions so far, and you can vote on the top five, who are all men, interestingly enough.
The New York Times digs into the background of the ad and all the particulars of the campaign, including touching base with the original creator of the slogan, Keith Reinhard, who is "thrilled" that the jingle is being revived.
Nothing much is new under the sun in advertising, of course. McDonald's is touting this campaign as a major revival of the jingle for Big Mac's 40th anniversary, but it has revived it in the past for other commercial campaigns. Other products have also tried the user-generated concept. Doritos did it in a much bigger way during the Super Bowl last year.
I actually prefer when companies pull out old campaigns like this and re-run them as they were originally. It livens up the hyper-stylized marketing of today's TV ads and gives you a sense of perspective.
I was only a toddler when the first version of this McDonald's ad came out, but I certainly remember the slogan, and probably every other McDonald's commercial of my childhood. There was even a hand-slapping game that we used to play at camp to the tune of McDonald's food itmes (Big Mac, Filet of Fish, Quarter Pounder, French fries, icy coke, thick shake...does anyone remember the rest?). But I cannot tell you the gist of any recent advertising campaigns.
If you're up for a challenge, you could try out our Brand Slogans Quiz.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
7-18-2008 @ 5:52PM
suz said...
you can't improve on the original of this one!
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:38PM
B said...
I agree with you on that one. I also remember the one with the older couple clapping hands to the beat with each other while eating.
7-18-2008 @ 8:15PM
Nonya said...
Big Mac, Flilet o Fish, Quarter Pounder, French Fries, Icy Coke, Thick Shakes, Sundaes, and Apple Pies. It also came from one of the old advertising campaigns. If I remember it featured kids jimping rope and playing hopscotch.
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 8:26PM
Doug said...
If they could only get back the service they had then.It takes longer now in a Mc Donald then a IHOP.Wafflle House or Huddle House
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 8:29PM
Donnagbsn said...
It's big mac, filet of fish, quarter pounder, french fries, icy coke, thick shakes, sundaes and apple pie
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 8:30PM
Donnagbsn said...
Oops....took a little too long to post and I was beat to it. LOL
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 8:31PM
TR said...
Vintage ads, contemporary pop, it's still advertising highly unhealthy, crappy tasting food. Re-watch 'SuperSize Me'.
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 8:32PM
tom@cubensis.com said...
I'll have a Mc Seizure with a side of Death, please
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 2:25AM
vicki said...
First of all chill out! No one is making you eat mcdonalds.
YOU ARE NOT VERY NICE!
7-18-2008 @ 8:37PM
sean said...
Big Mac, Fillet of fish, quarter pounder, french fries, icy coke, thick shakes, sundaes and apples pies......and the cup ran away with the spoon.
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 8:39PM
Suzana said...
I thought the original McD song was "You deserve a break today, so get up and get away to McDonalds"...
Reply
7-23-2008 @ 10:17PM
Starpunk said...
I remember that jingle too.
Trivia Question #1: who wrote that jingle for Mickey-Dees?
Answer: None other than Barry Manilow himself, before he stepped out on his own solo career. He was an advertisement jingle-writer before his pop success. Keep cool.
7-18-2008 @ 8:51PM
snakedaddy said...
I say bring back the ORIGINAL mcrib because the ones they come out with now SUCK!!!
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:07PM
elwood blues said...
Heh, Heh, Would you like some secreate special sause on that. Heh, Heh, Heh
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:08PM
zengen666 said...
Grimace molested me.
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:08PM
Robin said...
I deserve Frequent Flyer Miles from McD's because I live next door to one and have spent an inordinate amount of $ on McD's because of my 2 sons.
I think I'd be a millionaire if I got back 1/8th of the money I poured into McD's!!!!!!
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:25PM
fred said...
McDonalds food is unfit for human consumption!
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:26PM
Cactus Flower said...
I Love McDonalds,but recently I just quit going there since they do not have water anymore,you have to buy a bottle of water..Have you ever heard of such a thing,as not being able to get a cup of water?
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:54PM
finkelstein said...
cactus ..... a cup of water ? are you Jewish like me? We should sue.
7-19-2008 @ 10:41AM
Miss Kelli Taylor said...
i have learned that ALL McDonalds are now supporting homosexual
agenda and I'm taking petitions against them. I will WIN and I will
make sure ALL McDonalds do lose their supports period (100)
percent.
Miss Kelli Taylor
E-Mail Address is:Katbolady2@aol.com