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MNHQ

Talking about fast food - should we do online chat with MacDonalds' new chap?

131 replies

carriemumsnet · 14/04/2008 20:26

As most of you know Mac D's are on our banned advertiser's list, so we don't currently take any banners/ ads/ competition /sponsorship from them.

They've recently approached us to see if we would do a live online chat with their new head of food development, Mike Faers, who has apparently worked previously at Le Gavroche restaurant in London and also M&S and Sainsburys.

We're sure Mumsnetters could think of quite a few things they'd like to ask McDonald's, and we think it would be quite interesting to hear what they have to say, not just in terms of happy meals/menus but in terms of the whole MacDonald's brand/global strategy etc., but wanted to check with you all before confirming it, that you'd be happy for this to go ahead.

As always it would be live, with the chance to ask questions in advance, and no holds barred. We've warned him that you're a feisty bunch but he's still keen.

So what say you - shall we give Mike a go?

OP posts:
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WideWebWitch · 26/04/2008 09:02

Carmenere, I am persuaded to your pov.
I say no but yes, do ask them why they want to come on and post the answer here, please.

CountessDracula · 24/04/2008 11:16

If he has a "passion for cooking and gastronomy" wtf is he doing working for McDonalds.

If he wants to come on here he must be insane. But then if he works for McDs he must too.

I really don't see why we should let him come on and feed us stock rubbish about what a great company they are tbh. It is just an exercise in PR for McDs and I thought it had already been agreed that they couldn't advertise on here.

Can you contact him and ask him why he wants to come on and what he hopes to achieve and post his answer here.

TheFallenMadonna · 24/04/2008 11:15

No. Do we really think there are going to be any points they haven't anticipated and got an answer for? Or that McD strategy is going to be influenced by it?

I shouldn't think it will make pleasant reading, and I don't want my sympathies to be leaning towrds McD rather than MN.

Tutter · 24/04/2008 11:12

ok

i'm not all that botheed tbh

didn't think i was beinmg stroppy but i guess from you "hang on a minute" you think i was

sorry

Carmenere · 24/04/2008 11:11

Ah now hold on a minute, as a mner I am as much entitled to my opinion as you are. We were asked for our opinion and this is a subject that I feel strongly about, I am appealing to mnhq to do what I feel is right. I am NOT trying to censor what you read.

Tutter · 24/04/2008 11:08

i don't actually cae that much eithe way

but am uncomfortable with some mners censoing what others may read

Tutter · 24/04/2008 11:06

well, let's see

not eveyone who comes hee fo a chat has a positive experience

(sorry, dodgy R)

Carmenere · 24/04/2008 11:04

Either do I
you can make your mind up about McD's without them gaining positive exposure on mn.

Tutter · 24/04/2008 11:02

because i don't like my mind being made up for me, carmenere

Carmenere · 24/04/2008 11:00

What on earth do you think could be achieved by talking to this man? He is going to give the stock pr answer to every question. You will not learn anything new, he will not learn anything new. No difference will be made, it will be pointless.

There are many fine minds on mn but I fear that the pr dept of one of the biggest multinationals in the world might just match us

JodieG1 · 24/04/2008 10:57

I think you should.

Tutter · 24/04/2008 10:57

yes yes yes

for the reasons i gave aaaaaages ago

FluffyMummy123 · 24/04/2008 10:56

Message withdrawn

Carmenere · 24/04/2008 10:55

McD's are not going to change any minds on mn. We are not going to change any minds at McD's. Unless they pay you, the ONLY beneficiary from this exercise will be McD's.

MinkyBorage · 24/04/2008 09:05

OK, I'll make the decision for you; definitely don't do it!

PaninoPan · 24/04/2008 01:01

So they have a new PR bloke. Big deal. Does that reverse the reasons for banning their advertising? Isn't giving them a special hole of their own run directly contrary to MN policy??

PaninoPan · 24/04/2008 00:58

Decision? No. Def. not. Who is to benefit from this? The sins of McDonalds are very well registered. If Mikey wishes to do a PR stunt, then he should do it elsewhere, on another website.

And where does this end? Which other ethically dubious outfit wishes some "airplay" time??

UnderRated · 24/04/2008 00:30

Me too

expatinscotland · 24/04/2008 00:26

i'd like to give Mike a chance to discuss.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 24/04/2008 00:25

Well it seems pretty darn well split down the middle doesn't it?

We can see it from both ways really. Yes I guess they are trying to benefit from the association. Yes we could ask them some searching questions.

To be honest we thought it would be interesting (discussion forum and all that) and we could definitely stipulate that they didn't use any quotes etc.

But as said we can see both arguments.

For gawd sake someone make a decision will ya [sigh]

MinkyBorage · 24/04/2008 00:17

Have MN towers decided whaat to do?

motherhurdicure · 21/04/2008 15:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

AlisonD1 · 21/04/2008 13:34

We could always invite him on then no-one join in the discussion. Let the tumbleweed drift across the computer screen for a while..........

WideWebWitch · 15/04/2008 20:15

Hmm Carmenere, good points.
Carrie what's the mn towers view?

ElfOnTheTopShelf · 15/04/2008 18:05

I dont take any attention of the banners on here / other sites. I think I have tunnel vision

Anyway, who is to say that some points of MN posters may be taken on board? Maybe a good point (if this happened) would be that somebody is recognising the points of the consumers (or non consumers) and making the product "better".

It wont affect whether I do or dont go to MacDonalds. As I said, for my DD, I let her eat most things in moderation, but she isn't a big lover of fast food anyway (with exception of egg fried rice!) but she is an odd child

I'm just interested in the debate