McDonald’s UK has unveiled its latest ad ‘Fancy a McDonald’s?’ directed by Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead filmmaker Edgar Wright.
The director was recruited by the fast-food giant and creative agency Leo Burnett UK to create a short film for TV.
The ad, however, has received a mixed bag of reactions online due to the fact that no branding or McDonald’s products feature throughout the entire spot. Only at the end of the ad is it revealed that the film is in fact promoting the fast-food chain.
Depicted using the director’s unique rhythmic editing style, the spot sees a workforce of employees round each other up to head out of the office to get a McDonald’s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arlXqMg4FO4
One fan took to Twitter to praise the Edgar Wright ad, branding it as a “masterclass”.
“Huge fan of @McDonalds advertising … always offering a masterclass in branding,” @cannonjw wrote. “Their latest ad doesn’t even feature any food or restaurant shots, and instead aims to start a trend of communicating the desire for McDonald‘s — with a simple raise of the eyebrows.”
Huge fan of @McDonalds advertising…always offering a masterclass in branding. Their latest ad doesn’t even feature any food or restaurant shots, and instead aims to start a trend of communicating the desire for McDonald‘s — with a simple raise of the eyebrows. #marketing pic.twitter.com/crQZ3f6qta
— J.W. Cannon (@cannonjw) January 15, 2023
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Another Twitter user amicably wrote: “Talked a lot about how more brands should embrace a joyous, funny, entertaining, escapist approach in their ads, and not just due to the current climate. McDonalds have done it really well and we are now overthinking a really simple, joyous ad. Just enjoy it. It’s fun.”
Talked a lot about how more brands should embrace a joyous, funny, entertaining, escapist approach in their ads, and not just due to the current climate.
McDonalds have done it really well and we are now overthinking a really simple, joyous ad.
Just enjoy it. It’s fun.
— Thom Binding says join the CCW – your first Union. (@Slightly_Random) January 15, 2023
Despite some positive reception, others chose to vent their frustration with regards to the ad. One person tweeted: “While everyone’s raving about that new McDonalds ad, can I just go on record to say that I hate it.”
While everyone's raving about that new McDonalds ad, can I just go on record to say that I hate it.
— John Fidler (@johnfidler) January 15, 2023
Another said: “Edgar Wright directing a McDonalds ad is…odd.”
Edgar Wright directing a McDonalds ad is…oddpic.twitter.com/3QRdtjg5L4
— Writer Guy (@ThatAberl) January 14, 2023