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

Well, I think MNHQ has a tendency to overstate the democratic potential () of a chat thread. You often seem to talk like you were a membership organisation like the ones you campaign alongside. But if you were, then there would be a formal constitution, a governing body, votes, etc. etc. A chat thread isn't a survey -- which would be daft because you are a business. Perhaps a universal mailout to users would count as asking effectively? I don't know. I just want to talk among the other users.

Ooo good news re Co-Op quite like them....unless there is anything else I need to know?

Re the healthy eating Justine how on earth are you going to get involved in any future discussions regarding this issue? I feel when you're interviewed at the moment you/mn carry a certain amount of respect on issues you engage in,I fear this will be lost if you run a McD ad.

Also although you may not be condoning it do you not feel that promoting junk food on a parenting site is wrong?

But Justine - in a survey, there are (usually) strict quotas set in place, in terms of representing the full demographic.

That's the point I'm making - those people who did post on the thread - how representative are they of the rest of MN?

Well, I've only just seen this thread today for the first time, and have not read all 19 pages, so I may be repeating previously shared views.

BecauseImWorthIt makes a good point, I don't go hunting for threads from HQ and would have missed this altogether had it not turned up in Most Active. Maybe it would be helpful if there was a "MNHQ discussions" tab next to discussions of the day and most active so we pick this up more easily

On the McDonalds ad subject, I do think that putting up an ad implies an endorsement of the company. In this instance I would be a bit to see McDonalds on MN.

That said, I'm expecting and my biggest craving has been for McDo's quarter pounder with cheese, but I take full responsibility for my shameful actions

I don't know what you mean: I said you were engaging in a nominal consultation which was in fact shambolic, and that the effect was that you co-opt MNers in as a supportive voice approving a decision that you then make. I don't think I sia dyou should have had a consultation: only that if you consult, you should do it well.

God is nothing sacred

Any Fairtrade companies in the pipeline?

I don't see how you're discussing it though if you're ignoring(and not addressing) many of the valid points that have been raised.

Nope, I wouldn't have said it Justine. I dislike the equvocation of business and community entity and I think that consulting on something like the adverts you take is exactly such an equivocation.

I think there are two entirely distinct things: (1) a business owning a talk platform and selling ads; and (2) a set of talkers. I have never wanted a say in the business, because I have never wanted to pretend that a business can champion me. I only want to ensure that whenever the business claims to talk for the talkers, it does so on very good grounds. I would prefer it not to talk for us.

Justine - I absolutely agree about discussion! I think it's a great thing that you do this, and value the input of MNetters actually I think you're quite mad to take any notice of us .

The point I was trying to make was that I wondered how many MNers had taken part, and if this was enough/representative.

I'm anti McD's anyway, so my answer is noooooooo!!!. Where will it end?

agreed Eleison

Netmums has Flora Active,what do we get -Ronald Mc bloody Donald !!!!!!!!

Jamie's got Innocent ads on his site,why can't we?

Feel like I've stepped into a virtual Jamie's Dinners sooooooo need to get him on here glasnost.

I personally believe there was an awful lot of crappy eating showing off on half of this thread,Mcmuffin one upmanship,you get a snowball effect,seen it time and time again. Why on earth you'd want to base such an important decision on it is beyond me.

Yes, I agree biwi. I wouldn't have minded at all if MNHQ just put up McD ads without asking us it is their business not ours. But by having such a shambolic gesture at consultation all they have really achieved is just to co-opt the MN users as 'backing'/approving/etc whatever decision they take. That's what happens again and again on MN: it seems to exist as a place for all sorts of interests to make a very slight gesture of dialogue and then claim a widespread endorsement. That is even the reality of the LGBG company endorsements we lend our validation with minimal actual power..

Sorry I meant BIWI I'm not having a typetastic morning so far.

Baroque that's why I stuck it up on AIBU. To reach more people as I didn't even know the exicstence of this site stuff bit.

BIWI - i am sure there is an option to hide sticky threads so maybe not everyone see them?

Our thoughts collided MilaMae.

Why ARE they even considering it?

And who'd want only MNetters whose considered opinion on the subject is one of: it's all about the cash!!!!! C'mon we're not that easily fobbed off.

Who you accept advertising from is, of course, entirely up to you, as it is your business. And believe you me, I know how difficult these kind of decision are. Where do you draw the line?

But I wonder how many of MN members have even read this thread, never mind voted on it? I know it's been a sticky, and it's been there for a while, but I'm constantly amazed by the number of (fairly regular) posters who seem to miss sticky threads.

Does this therefore count as a true consultation exercise? It seems a very significant thing, such a change in policy.