Monday, September 26, 2011

McDonald's getting it done with social media!

We all use facebook, twitter and other social media outlets to get the latest news on athletes, celebrities, friends, family and even our favorite companies and services. Well guess what? McDonald's is doing the same thing!

 Play games, make donations, keep up with the foundations McDonald's is supporting, take a glance at recipes and new products you can do it all on the  McDonald's Facebook  page!!!  

On McDonald's Twitter Page  you can follow the McDonaldsCorp and RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities) which helps kids get quality care in over 53 different countries! Way to go McDonald's always looking out for the kids.

   If you were to look at any of McDonald's social media pages you would be overwhelmed with how much they give back to the community. Almost all of there tweets and facebook updates have to do with charity work, fundraisers and donation opportunities for different causes that McDonald's sponsor.


National Family Day, Chicago Marathon, Latino Grammy Awards are just a few of the things you'll see when you first take a look at the facebook or twitter page.
RMHC Global                                                                                     

RMHC Global

McDonald's Facebook page has separate sub pages for different outlets of the Mickey D's corporation like:

Locations, Info, Friend Activity, Local, Latest, Me Encanta, McCafe, Burgers, Happy Meal, McRib, Links, Videos, Polls, Events, Quality and Careers!

                                               
 Other outlets to follow McDonald's are YouTube , Flickr , and McDonald's RSS Feeds .
I think McDonald's PR is doing a fabulous showing everyone how much McDonald's loves all of us via all the social media outlets. Everyone loves how McDonald's tastes but now they are aware of how much else they do besides provide our favorite fast food.
And for those who are against fast food, well if you walk into a McDonald's anytime soon you may not see just the stereotypical,l obese American that some poorly correlate McDonald's with. You'll see mothers with their kids, active, in shape high schoolers and teens, athletes, girls, grandma, grandpa, everyone!! That's all because McDonald's is offering so many healthy option to out duel their unhealthy competing fast food rivals. And you want to know how Mickey D's is getting their new image out there! Yup, you guessed it social media!
Here is a recent  press release about McDonald's new and improved healthy menu choices!
If your not convinced about the new healthy options by listening to Chef Dan then chances are you'll be miserably because you'll have missed out on the joy of Mickey D's! 
McDonald's does a greattttttt job with its Public Relations reputation management. Showing America a healthy image, giving back in every way possible to struggling families, children, women, poverty stricken, different cultures; you name it, McDonald's PR staff has covered it brilliant fashion. I'd like to see some more information on new products and meals and food related things on some social media places. I mean I can find it but it isn't the first thing you see on all the pages. You probably hear enough of it on radio and television that Mickey D's doesn't need to promote products that much anymore unless it's a new health option like yogurt, fruits etc. but primarily all their charity work is front and center on their pages. Obviously its been working for them and well it reassuring that their primary focus is the community and the environment. Go McDonald's!
Until next time, this McDonald's lover is out! Peace everyone.  

Monday, September 19, 2011

Everyone loves McDonalds

McDonald's is the largest fast food restaurant chain in the entire world, everyone pretty much knows that and if you don't then you must have been living under a rock since the time you were born. McDonald's restaurants are found in 119 countries and serve 58 million customers each day. For a world that is supposedly shying away from the fast food diet and into the modern health craze, McDonald's must be doing something right.

I chose to create a blog about McDonald's because as a child I loved to eat McDonalds. Basically everyone has a memory of McDonald's from their childhood and it usually is a happy, nostalgic memory. Interestingly enough, over the past few decades becoming a healthy American and straying away from the obesity stereotype in America has not set back Mcdonald's at all, in fact they responded remarkably to the changing times.

McDonalds, or what I always called it as a kid, Mickey D's has been selling hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, (the best french fries ever) chicken sandwiches, soft drinks and desserts since 1955, when Ray Kroc purchased the rights to a small hamburger chain from Richard and Maurice McDonald.

McDonald's has become criticism of some common issues regarding the food industry, especially the fast food industry. Controversy surrounding the menu's healthy choices, expansion and business practices are some of the criticisms McDonalds faces. Less than 5 minutes of exploring the McDonalds website I found a clear and convincing response to all these issues.

Menu- Check out their healthy menu

Beyond this link, you can explore kid's nutrition, a meal planner option which allows you to create your meal and check the nutritional value, compare meals and see all ingredients.

Just a few clicks away you can see how almost every menu option is created through a step by step video.
See how its all made right here

On that same page you can see what mothers are saying about McDonalds. And everyone knows that mom knows best!!



You can see who the McDonalds suppliers for each product is.

You want quality, McDonald's has it!

Also just a few clicks away McDonalds answers the critics by having multiple links and articles on their "Values In Action" page. Questions surrounding recycling, sustainability, green energy and animal welfare are answered. Animal welfare has been a big obstacle for McDonalds to tackle. Well, honestly it is skeptical how fresh the meats are from a fast from restaurant and how well those animal were treated considering it is supplying such a large chain like McDonalds. Here is a link to show all the "haters" what McDonalds is really about!!



The road to going green

In August 2008, McDonald’s USA opened its first corporate-owned pilot green restaurant and received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in April 2009. Some of the green attributes of the Chicago restaurant include energy-efficiency equipment and lighting, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, and permeable pavement and rainwater collection for irrigation. We’re using this “green building lab” to help refine our green building strategy. Our second green restaurant was completed in North Carolina in early 2010.

Currently, 82% of McDonald’s consumer packaging is made from renewable materials, and we’re aiming for higher percentages in the future.


The responses to the criticism of McDonalds are why McDonalds reigns as the best fast food chain in the world. The PR professionals communicate to all of us through 4 different outlets. A McDonald's Media Center page for all your financial and corporate news, a blog site, and twitter and facebook. Continuing to top its competitors and answering common questions and controversies about fast food quality is how Mickey D's has continued to be staple in almost every ones life. I'm Lovin' That!!
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