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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

McDonalds Ads - tell us how do you feel about them folks?

609 replies

JustineMumsnet · 01/03/2011 16:22

Good day MNetters,
We've been asked if we'd host ads for McDonalds, so we thought we'd ask what you think. Would you object to banner ads (ie like the one at the top of the page) on Mumsnet?
Let us know.

OP posts:
Eleison · 05/03/2011 21:05

I'd be really interested in hearing back from mn. The op doesn't even say whether they are actually being offered a McD ad -- it just says that someone has asked their opinion on it. Would be good to have context for the discussion. Having had all our poinions it would be good if they could give some detail.

Also, here's something that interests me (although it's none of my businessGrin): I think they sign up to advertising streams don't they? Rather than individual ads I mean? Is it the case that by saying no to McD they are unable to accept a whole 'package' of ads? How do these things work?

There seem to be incredibily few ads on mn atm -- just half a dozen incredibly cutesey clothing and hliday retailers and stacks of ads for their own books and their brand endorsements. So I wondered if saying no to a McD ad is preventing them from signing up to a whole package of more mainstream ads.

aristocat · 05/03/2011 19:11

i dont care either

Panzee · 05/03/2011 19:03

I care in that I don't think it's my place to dictate who MN takes advertising from.
Yesterday it was Nestle, today it's McDs. Who will we try to convince MN to refuse advertising from next?

I boycott Nestle so I like that MN does too. However it's not up to me to tell them to do it. It's nice of them to ask us but I don't think they should.

MilaMae · 05/03/2011 18:25

Totally agree with your last point offs.

Also I have to say the over lying argument for letting McD advertise on here is "I don't care",that surely is no argument for anything.

Some of us do care,what exactly is so heinous about that Hmm?

Ohforfoxsake · 05/03/2011 18:14

They consult because it might dent their credibility.

MN do some great campaigning. If they let fast food companies advertise on here they will never be able to campaign against childhood obesity which is a growing problem.

I'd love to have MNs thoughts on this so far ...

glasnost · 05/03/2011 17:55

You know what Maryz you're irony deficient. And I don't wanna win any fans. The last 2 posts of mine were laudatory of others. There's no pleasing some. I even read the official McD's site link.

Still haven't changed my mind.

MilaMae · 05/03/2011 17:51

I agree re a policy,it's much needed.

Also Libra sorry I think the happy meal toy is awful and I take the McDonalds corporation as a whole. I care about kids health in other countries not just here. Look on the US site:- dollar meals,mighty kids meals,fructose/corn syrup aplenty,trans fats aplenty,shite chicken(wtf is rib meat),massssseve ingredient lists with long names....etc,etc. The UK ingredients list pop up disappears every time you look(funny that).

At the end of the day it's burgar and fries however "cleaned up" MCD reckons it is and eaten too regularly it leads to obesity and other nasties.

Also I'll never trust any company that tries to sell it's high fat,over salted food to kids by bribing with toys so I take any of their wild declarations of health with a pinch of salt to be frank.

Too many kids are overweight before they start school,obesity levels are rocketing quite clearly too many mothers are swayed by this junk food culture and buy it far too regularly.

Junk food advertising has no place on a parenting site,kids TV or anywhere else that means ads lead to a higher consumption of said shite. McDonalds want to sell more and that is why they're targeting mn. Who knows what ad it's got up it's sleeve,they've done their research and know they'll sell more by advertising on here. Companies don't advertise for fun they do it to shift more of their products which in this case aint good for kids.

RoundOrangeHead · 05/03/2011 17:51

why on earth should MN have to consult us on it's advertising policy?

AMumInScotland · 05/03/2011 17:16

I'll add my vote to what Himalaya said - we could almost certainly have a more logical discussion about an overall advertising policy, without it getting down to specifics.

LibraPoppyGirl · 05/03/2011 17:07

Okay, take a look at this....

McDonalds Info

....and make up your own minds.

Take the time to go through and have a little read. I think it's worth it.

Personally, I think Maccas are doing a lot to improve their standing.

You will find here information about a whole host of questions you might have.

Before any one asks, no I don't work for Maccas, I don't have a vested interest of any sort.

But I don't like some of the posts on this thread and some of the insults being bandied about.

Why not take a look and see where Maccas stand ethically, morally and ecologically etc etc today.

FWIW I think they are improving all the time and that they are actually a lot more socially aware of current trends than they are given credit for.

Tortington · 05/03/2011 17:02

I DONT like the sound of it. thats a no maccy d adverts from me.

Ohforfoxsake · 05/03/2011 17:02

I think Himalaya makes a good point - Have a policy and decide what sectors can be included. Fast food would be out IMO not just MacDs but all fast food. I don't take any notice of ads on here, but I think nutrition, childhood health and educating parents on these things is very important.

Maryz · 05/03/2011 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

glasnost · 05/03/2011 16:07

Himalaya great points! You were doing so well til the last line!

Himalaya · 05/03/2011 15:53

MNHQ - I would be interested to know if the ads will be for a 'buy happy meals' promotion campaign, or linked to a campaign and information on the kinds of issues being debated here (obesity, nutrition, rainforest, employment conditions etc...)

just wondering..

It is good you are having this debate, but perhaps better would be to have an overall advertising policy (and consult on that) - are there sectors, products or companies that should be excluded and why? And also being clear that adverts won't affect moderation and editorial policy?

FWIW I think advertising McDs is probably OK.

nickelprincess · 05/03/2011 15:47

I have no objection to the advertising, because I don't look at them anyway, but, if McDonald's are readingthis, I want to pose them a question (and hope it gets a good solution)

Why do yo uhave a Veggie Burger if it isn't suitable for Vegetarians?
(you have a place mat that has a list of whether the food is suitable for vegetarians - the fries are, the Veggie Burgers aren't)
surely the whole point of having a Veggie burger is so that Vegetarians can eat a burger at your restaurants?
I assume it's to do with the oil they're cooked in - well, cook them in separate oil, then!

glasnost · 05/03/2011 15:11
  1. McDonald's are probably the most unethical of the lot.
  2. Yes so why do they advertise Walt Disney? Because mums make informed choices on what to buy their kids.
  3. Why would you wanto be associated with a brand you don't endorse. That would be silly and counter productive.
  4. What the hell's this Boooden? I live abroad.
I wear scuzzy trainers fwiw. It's not a question of demographics snobbery.

Thanks for the reasoned points though. It's refreshing.

AMumInScotland · 05/03/2011 15:04

The "anti" arguments seem to be -

  1. McDonalds are unethical
  2. Children might see the adverts
  3. Parents might assume that MN endorses junk food
  4. McDonalds doesn't fit our demographic

Am I summarising accurately?

My counter-ponts would be -

  1. So are lots of businesses. Unless we plan to go through a detailed analysis of the trading practices of every advertiser, we should limit the embargo to the bare minimum.
  1. MN is for adults
  1. More fool them - they shoud read more widely
  1. Please don't insult my taste for not wearing Boden etc
glasnost · 05/03/2011 14:52

Oh whatever Maryz if this is the calibre of debate on here I'm better off out of it.

The arguments get ignored and people get personal when they're not sure of their opinions. If Buzz or any of you gave a decent argument for actually wanting the ad's apart from the cynical cash reason then time spent on here would be more productive and informative.

When MONEY is the common denominator then we are all fucked. But that's already evident and MN contemplating letting them advertise on here is symptomatic of that.

We few anti have given real reasons why we're anti. Why don't one of the many pro give a good reason instead of saying we think you're thick if you don't mind McD's?

Ohforfoxsake · 05/03/2011 14:37

Y'see there was a time people did give a shit. Because MN and it's founders care enough not to sell out. Sure noone will care if I'm here or not, and I won't flounce because I'm seeking attention. I shall just leave but for good reason.

Fast food should not be advertised on here. Too many parents thinks it's a decent way to eat, that it's a treat or is cheap. You only have to look at what is happening in the States and their levels of obesity.

Maryz · 05/03/2011 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maryz · 05/03/2011 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MilkNoSugarPlease · 05/03/2011 14:15

Thank you Tired!

I now also want a double cheeseburger x2 with that apple pie!

and mozzerella dippers :o

And McD's is a whole 15m walk away....thats aaages

glasnost · 05/03/2011 14:13

The other anti McD's posters are probably too intimidated by rude idiots like BuzzLiteBeer to express their dissent. If MN is to become a playground where posters compete with one another to be in total agreement with the top dog (bully) then it's not a place worth my time anyway. So yeah MN go ahead and take the McDollar! I'll have alot more time to dedicate to my son!

Tiredmumno1 · 05/03/2011 14:08

I agree with milk we want home delivery Grin

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