Mcdonald's has a new mascot

[pendell]

replacing scary clown. It's a box with teeth! (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/mcdonalds-new-mascot-box-teeth-n109396).

...

So it's essentially nothing but an open mouth? What an apt metaphor for consumer culture.

...

Just how many millions of dollars did they spend to come up with a mascot which was, essentially, a talking box?

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[gooddragon1]

Partially relevant image:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/Ridureyu/mugen/ronald-happy.png

[erikun]

I've been fine with Ronald. I'm not sure why he gets such criticism.

Let's face it, McDonald's will be facing a lot of news and complaining regardless of what they do. It's one of the best known companies, and like WalMart, it's popular to hate it. (Note that I hate McD's because of it's food. I don't care about its mascots.) I mean, let's be fair. The article specifically stated that McD's did not spend "millions of dollars" on the mascot. It's an already existing mascot that's been in Latin America and Europe for half a decade.

I find it kind of goofy, but no goofier than talking M&Ms. And hey, those guys are pretty well off for advertisements.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/M%26M_mascots.png

[Mando Knight]

It's amazing that McDonald's actually managed to find something creepier than a clown that randomly appears in order to sell kids food...

[Mono Vertigo]

Heh. Here in Europe (or France and Belgium at least), we've had this mascot for years. Featured as toys and everything.

[Asta Kask]

It's amazing that McDonald's actually managed to find something creepier than a clown that randomly appears in order to sell kids food...

Creepy? I don't see it.

[Killer Angel]

Heh. Here in Europe (or France and Belgium at least), we've had this mascot for years. Featured as toys and everything.

Pretty much, it's no news at all. And I frankly like it far more than the clown (although i suppose that the clown would be decisely better for birthday parties at McDonald)

[The_Ditto]

They're replacing Ronald McDonald with a ... Mimic?!?! :smalleek:

[Kalmageddon]

Heh. Here in Europe (or France and Belgium at least), we've had this mascot for years. Featured as toys and everything.

This.
Anyway, I don't care for mascots, they all seem kinda pointless to me, but I wouldn't call it creepy, at all. It's just a box with a face and limbs, it's not like animated objects are a new thing in animation. The worst I could say about it is that it's unoriginal.

[2D.]

replacing scary clown. It's a box with teeth! (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/mcdonalds-new-mascot-box-teeth-n109396).

That looks like something right out of creepypasta. I look forward to seeing it in my nightmares and then waking up to a cold sweat. And just in time too. I was starting to get tired of Slenderman and Ben Drowned haunting my dreams, but this thing really razes the bar in creepiness.

[Frozen_Feet]

The clown was much more sympathetic than a box. :smallfrown:

[EmeraldRose]

They're replacing Ronald McDonald with a ... Mimic?!?! :smalleek:

Indeed. But I suppose if it's truly a mimic, then it can look like whatever the corporation wants? Whatever it looks like, it isn't going to stop my kids wanting McDonald's. Mostly because of the toys...which I eventually throw out since we have like 20 of each kind.

[5a Violista]

It's amazing that McDonald's actually managed to find something creepier than a clown that randomly appears in order to sell kids food...

I was surfing through YouTube, and I found a related comedy sketch, where McDonald's replaced Ronald McDonald with The Joker.
Youtube Link (http://youtu.be/-fK637Blc-s)
Turns out there are many things creepier than a clown dressed in bright yellow and red.

I don't really eat at McDonald's much, but when I did, I liked the clown.

[Worlok]

Can't beat the Grapist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yt0b_QBP_A). That is all.

[Lord Raziere]

How long do you think until they go back to the old mascot? I bet it won't last a month.

[Legato Endless]

This.
Anyway, I don't care for mascots, they all seem kinda pointless to me, but I wouldn't call it creepy, at all. It's just a box with a face and limbs, it's not like animated objects are a new thing in animation. The worst I could say about it is that it's unoriginal.

Brand recognition, merchandising, kid appeal. Appealing to the pathetic fallacy.

Seems pretty artless. The manic friendly expression is trying entirely too hard. Still far less creepy than Burger King though. That commercial where the guy wakes up with...that thing in his bed seems like a horror parody.

[Coidzor]

Wow, I thought that was fake the first dozen times I saw it floating around.

*eyes Europe suspiciously for liking that thing*

[Killer Angel]

Wow, I thought that was fake the first dozen times I saw it floating around.

*eyes Europe suspiciously for liking that thing*

It's not that we like the living box. It's that we cannot stand the clown (at least, I cannot). :smallwink:

[Ravens_cry]

Someone must have been a fan of Clutch Cargo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MHg1-mpcUY) Seriously, when has adding realistic teeth to ANYthing being not creepy as all heck?

[Hyena]

Wow, this new mascot is so... bland. I mean, Ronald was creepy, but he was awesome at the same time.

[Fragenstein]

Wow, this new mascot is so... bland. I mean, Ronald was creepy, but he was awesome at the same time.

I liked Ronald when I was a kid. He came off as of enchanted guide and fictional authority figure. Like a burger-hucking Mary Poppings or Santa Claus. Now, he just seems creepy as hell.

Not as creepy as that weird-ass box, though. At least Ronald had magical powers and looked pretty normal in cartoon form. This guy...
http://cdn.thefiscaltimes.com/cdn/farfuture/w7DqSvlXt706gWg-2d4TezhxykKtwqVyrsT3oCiyWQo/mtime:1400617274/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero/public/05202015_Mcdonalds_Mascot_The_Shining.jpg?itok=vuy 82nUn

I don't think so.

[Malimar]

replacing scary clown.

Replacing Ronald, or augmenting him? Unless they're specifying he's being replaced, I don't see them putting Ronald out to pasture any time soon. (They'd have to rename Ronald McDonald House Charities!)


But the real question: Exactly how long has Happy been around in foreign markets? 'Cause the ads with him I've watched have seemed like near-exact copies of the minions from Despicable Me, what with the creepy teeth and the juvenile antics and the annoying laughter.

[erikun]

I liked Ronald when I was a kid. He came off as of enchanted guide and fictional authority figure. Like a burger-hucking Mary Poppings or Santa Claus. Now, he just seems creepy as hell.

Not as creepy as that weird-ass box, though. At least Ronald had magical powers and looked pretty normal in cartoon form. This guy...
http://cdn.thefiscaltimes.com/cdn/farfuture/w7DqSvlXt706gWg-2d4TezhxykKtwqVyrsT3oCiyWQo/mtime:1400617274/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero/public/05202015_Mcdonalds_Mascot_The_Shining.jpg?itok=vuy 82nUn

I don't think so.
Y'know what this reminds me of?
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/newsfeed/000/163/290/Revoltech-Woody-CGB-003_1274873453.jpg

[Skeppio]

That looks like something right out of creepypasta. I look forward to seeing it in my nightmares and then waking up to a cold sweat. And just in time too. I was starting to get tired of Slenderman and Ben Drowned haunting my dreams, but this thing really razes the bar in creepiness.

Sooooo, does this mean we're gonna have to make a new creepypasta about Ronald McDonald and/or Happy the Unimaginative Mascot? If so, I'd like to suggest "Ron Drowned" for a title. :smalltongue:


Y'know what this reminds me of?
*snip*

Damnit, now I can't unsee it.

EDIT: A gift, because I felt like it: http://i57.tinypic.com/2rhprx4.jpg

[Dusk Eclipse]

How long do you think until they go back to the old mascot? I bet it won't last a month.

The box replaced Ronald years ago in Latin America (and apparently in Europe too), so I wouldn't be so sure about that.

[Coidzor]

The real question is, will this guy get his own promotional direct to video movies too?

[Dusk Eclipse]

Ronald got movies? :smallconfused:

[Ravens_cry]

Still not as creepy as, as . . . this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO57P3xKUko).

[Zrak]

I'm a real Hamburgler man, myself. I still say "Robble robble" when I'm, well, robbling.

[Coidzor]

Ronald got movies? :smallconfused:

Well, he got these (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wacky_Adventures_of_Ronald_McDonald)and some other stuff at least, yes.

[Ravens_cry]

Don't forget (or rather, do, please do) Mac and Me (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_and_me)*
*does not lead to TV Tropes, but it does lead to Wikipedia, which can be just as bad.

[Mando Knight]

I don't really eat at McDonald's much, but when I did, I liked the clown.

Sure, when I was 7 or whatever, the clown was perfectly fine. Now, though, he seems weird. (Also really dated, come to think of it)

The box just looks creepy.

[Jaycemonde]

What an apt metaphor for consumer culture.

I wear a Dr Pepper shirt and F♥X wristbands around the house; I for one am quite comfortable with my Corporate Overlords.
Fight me.

[Solse]

Don't forget (or rather, do, please do) Mac and Me (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_and_me)*
*does not lead to TV Tropes, but it does lead to Wikipedia, which can be just as bad.

Oh, God...why did you have to remind me? Oh God no...

[Fire Tom]

replacing scary clown. It's a box with teeth! (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/mcdonalds-new-mascot-box-teeth-n109396).

Well that thing is truly terrifying.:smalleek:

[Rawhide]

Repost from Random Banter, because I didn't know about this thread (thanks Skeppio!).

http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/uploads/2014/05/happpy.jpg

[Killer Angel]

As already said, the "new" mascot, here in Europe, is around since 2010 (and probably even before). An old french commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNIXsr4tEi4).

[TheSummoner]

So, in need of a place to charge my laptop, I stopped at a McDonalds today.

That friggin' box is one of the creepiest things I've ever seen. There was a poster of the thing and the actual physical boxes the kids meals came in had it on them too. Something about the eyes and teeth on it are just unsettling. Compared to that thing, I think I'd rather deal with the clown who may or may not be abducting children to turn into what McDonalds claims counts as hamburgers.

[Ravens_cry]

As already said, the "new" mascot, here in Europe, is around since 2010 (and probably even before). An old french commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNIXsr4tEi4).
:smalleek: I thought it might be less creepy in motion, maybe, perhaps, but, no such luck, and oh gods, the laugh is even worse!:eek:

[smuchmuch]

I guess it kinda work in motion, it looks less creepy and just... very cheap and bland.
Which is quite appropriate for a Mc Donald mascot I suppose


*eyes Europe suspiciously for liking that thing*

I'm sorry, you seem to be confusing 'like' and 'being vastly indifferent too'

edit: so it was made by the same studio who made the minion from 'despicable me', ... yeah I can see the familairity.
As long as they keep in slapsticky animated qshort, I think it'll stick with kids.

[erikun]

As already said, the "new" mascot, here in Europe, is around since 2010 (and probably even before). An old french commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNIXsr4tEi4).
That looks fine, and rather silly. The Raving Rabbids there (the rabbit-things from Rayman) are far more disturbing to look at.

[AtlanteanTroll]

Thought I had made this comment already, but evidently not.

Having recently stared a job at Micky D's and having handed these out to parents of small children, I simply thought that we were running some oddly timed Despicable Me promotion. The boxes honestly don't seem that weird.

[Legato Endless]

Thought I had made this comment already, but evidently not.

Having recently stared a job at Micky D's and having handed these out to parents of small children, I simply thought that we were running some oddly timed Despicable Me promotion. The boxes honestly don't seem that weird.

Get out now.

[Lappy9001]

I dunno, replacing a very 'safe' mascot with Ronald (not that I think they will 'replace' him. He's too well known) with something terrifying and creepy? Sounds kind of awesome :smallcool:

I'm sure they knew what they were doing. Something like that just has to get people talking.

[Slipperychicken]

I liked Ronald when I was a kid. He came off as of enchanted guide and fictional authority figure. Like a burger-hucking Mary Poppings or Santa Claus. Now, he just seems creepy as hell.

Not as creepy as that weird-ass box, though. At least Ronald had magical powers and looked pretty normal in cartoon form. This guy...
http://cdn.thefiscaltimes.com/cdn/farfuture/w7DqSvlXt706gWg-2d4TezhxykKtwqVyrsT3oCiyWQo/mtime:1400617274/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero/public/05202015_Mcdonalds_Mascot_The_Shining.jpg?itok=vuy 82nUn

I don't think so.

The little guy kind of resembles a Modron.

http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/richgreen01/12599175/133753/133753_640.jpg

[AtlanteanTroll]

Get out now.

Look at the box's eyes and mouth. Now look at a minion's eyes and mouth. Now look back at the box's...

[Ravens_cry]

Look at the box's eyes and mouth. Now look at a minion's eyes and mouth. Now look back at the box's...
Minion teeth are somewhat realistic, but they are still more cartoony than Captain Syncro-Vox over here.

[BWR]

The box makes me want to take kids to McDonalds (http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp05302014.shtml)

[Killer Angel]

The box replaced Ronald years ago in Latin America (and apparently in Europe too), so I wouldn't be so sure about that.

It must be said that tastes may differ, between different countries. For example, Disneyland parks are a success in USA (afaik), while in europe, Paris was basically a failure.

[smuchmuch]

It must be said that tastes may differ, between different countries. For example, Disneyland parks are a success in USA (afaik), while in europe, Paris was basically a failure.

I think there's another things to consider. None of us (likely) are part of the targeted age group. simple as that.

[Killer Angel]

I think there's another things to consider. None of us (likely) are part of the targeted age group. simple as that.

And also the nostalgia effect. If someone has grown up with the clown, won't like the change.

[Durkoala]

This is one of the few times I'm happy with Britian's indecisive approach to being part of Europe. I never want that near me ever.:smalleek:
I thought I was pretty resiliant with creepy mascots, but no... no....:smallfrown:
Even the Name's terrible! 'Happy.' That's neither reassuring nor imaginative. Only something with a hidden agenda would choose that name, and I can't see that agenda being a good one.

I haven't been this creeped out since I discovered Pob (link later). Or maybe even the rogue glister, one of the scariest monsters in my childhood.