What on earth would Slashfood be doing reading Autoblog?! We wouldn't have fast-food drive-thru windows if we didn't have cars.
Over at Autoblog, they're having an interesting discussion about McDonald's new Happy Meal Hummer tie-in. I won't comment about the fact that "girl" Happy Meals get Polly Pockets and "boy" Happy Meals get one of six miniature Hummers. No, the discussion over there is about the New York Times article that "offers up a plodding critique of the promotion, McDonalds, and of course, GM / HUMMER. The reactions collected are so over-the-top, the article practically reads like satire."
Is the Hummer tie-in such a bad thing?
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-15-2006 @ 8:56AM
Chad said...
I guess for the typical fat American McDonald's customer, including a toy replica of the vehicle that epitomizes American excess and over-consumption fits right in. A match made in deep-fried Evangelical Christian heaven.
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 12:00PM
calamari said...
The Hummer tie-in is perfect for McDonald's. It also fits beautifully with the trend of fast food chains not even pretending to be healthful or environmentally friendly any more -- come on in and get your FAT! And here's the gas-guzzling vehicle you aspire to load your FAT behind into!
Why does the Sierra Club even waste time being surprised? Have some nuts and berries...
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 2:49PM
frodo said...
Yeah, if you are basing your child's nutrition on McDonalds you might as well go full-boar and base their idea of transportation on excess and lack of concern for the environment as well. Unless you have a girl. I can't say much bad about Polly Pocket.
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 3:01PM
Vesna said...
We were at McD's the other day and saw the Hummers in person. I was surprised at how small, light, flimsy and cheap-looking they were.
They are everything that a Hummer is not! Perfect irony!
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 3:05PM
Rick Dobbs said...
McDonald's is spending a fortune on proving how eco-friendly they are and not completely destroying the planet, now they come out with a promotion for a vehicle that is the exact opposite of the message they're trying to send.
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 3:08PM
james b said...
Next time I get a happy meal for my little girl I wll be sure to ask for the boy meal so she doesn' t have our societal norms of gender sterotyping imposed on her by the corporate establishemnt. Varoom. Belch. McDonalds tastes good.
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 3:54PM
Vesna said...
Right on, james b! I am with you. Best yet, refuse to refer to it as the "boy meal." It's the meal with the car. Same for the other one -- it's just the meal with Polly Pocket.
Reply
8-15-2006 @ 5:09PM
Carol said...
Why not add a pack of Marlboros and an airplane mini of scotch to Happy Meals? Go whole hog! Why stop at a little toy car? Mommy and Daddy already drive an SUV (all the better to cram more kids and more food into) but they're probably too sanctimonious to smoke and drink...why not market to the next generation?
Sickening. Almost as sickening as my Hummer-driving neighbor with her "SAVE THE BAY" license plates.
Reply
8-16-2006 @ 10:20AM
David T said...
Wow guys, could you be any more self righteous? It's a toy in a Happy Meal. Move on with your lives.
Reply
8-16-2006 @ 4:09PM
Matthew said...
Environmental Working Group is taunting McDonald's Toy Hummer Giveaway with this interactive site that lets users bust rip on the promotion:
http://www.ronaldmchummer.com/
Reply