MNHQ - Macdonalds Ads - after the debate, what was the decision?

[Ohforfoxsake]

Because it seems that Macdonalds has been removed from the advertising policy, and you forgot to come back to the thread and tell us you'd made a decision.

about-them-folks original thread

managed to cock the link up! Sorry!

shameless bit of bumping - active convos is fast today

they're going to take the mcdollar

It would appear so

MNHQ? I know you have far more important things to do but I would really, really like to know why it is OK to advertise Macdonalds now when it wasnt before.

Hello as posted on the original thread on March 7th:
"We have traditionally said no to McD's because we've had this discussion periodically and over the years quite a lot of folks have objected because they felt McD's buying policies, in particular, have been unethical (The Fast Food Nation critique). Last time we we had this discussion - maybe a 2 or 3 years ago - the reaction was around 50-50. We asked again this time because there is some suggestion that McD's are getting their act together on this issue a bit (although we don't claim to be experts). And indeed it seems that analysing the response on this thread (and the other one in AIBU) it does seem that the "don't minds" now outnumber the "do minds" by some way. So we are of a mind to change our policy on McD's.

We will update the About Us page to reflect this shortly."

I realise some folks will be disappointed but the majority who responded didn't think we should boycott McDonalds, and we tend to agree that to do so isn't particularly consistent or fair. As it happens they haven't decided to advertise with us as yet - guess they must have gone to Netmums .

I doubt they've gone to Netmums given that they campaign against junk food and their advertising campaign states they won't take advertising that conflicts with that policy.

Netmums don't seem to have withdrawn any earlier promises from their policy(unlike on here).

At the moment they just seem to be running Sainsburys 5 meals for £20 and Philadelphia.

Good on them to be frank,obviously it is possible to stick to promises and not just make airy statements when fashionable.

Wonder if they're planning to take the Mcdollar in the future,no sign as of yet but who knows,maybe somebody should ask.

Sorry, I did read that back then but guess I missed the last sentence.
Yes, it's disappointing. It's not MacDs I object to but the promotion of fast food generally on here.
Thanks for coming to answer me.

Still don't agree with it though

I think the majority rules approach is a bit lame. You've changed a fundamental policy because most people said 'we don't care'. No one actually said "yes" did they? The couldn't give a shits were what you based your decision on.

I think less if you for it. I'd go to NM but I can't stand those bloody tickers and BMC is too slow. I've invested years of my life on here goddamit and I expected more of you!!

I'm disappointed too.

Mumsnet are going to accept advertising from a junk food manufacturer.

MN are placing the adverts on a parenting webite - used by parents.

Children of those parents will be watching the computer screens whilst their parents are using it. (And drawn more to the flickering, changing, brightly coloured adverts than the plain text)

Therefore Mumsnet is going to be, by default, advertising junk food to children via its site.

Not good eh.

For me it's not so much that children will see it, but that parents will think it's ok because it's on here. Enough parents don't understand nutrition as it is, but if it's on MN then it must be alright. It's the parents who choose to buy it too often, or as part of a diet already high in sugars and saturated fat whilst insisting "it's a treat".

And when MN wants to campaign against childhood obesity they can't because the advertise fast food.

Anyway, what we think doesn't matter.

Well, if McDonald's hasn't even placed any advertising with MN, it's sort of a moot point anyway, isn't it?

I am one who said 'I don't care.' And I don't. Because I use Ad Block and don't see any ads on MN or anywhere else. Sorry HQ.

Bonzo...mcDonalds isnt just junk food!! and also,yes,mumsnet is for parents.... not every damn thing a parent does should have to be 'child centred'...if they are looking over shoulders,then they need to be taught manners!!

By "Mcdonalds isn't just junk food" do you mean the rather insignificant fruit bag kids have to bypass fries for in order to have(as if)?

As McDonalds menu is at least 80% fried food I defy any parent to succeed in taking a child over 3 in and walk out with said child having had a balanced healthy meal.

My parents took my 3 last week(their annual trip).The dtwins had been nagging due to the Star Wars promo (which I think stinks to be frank). Anyhow I refused to spend my money on McDonalds, shitey promotion or not so they hoodwinked grandma. Anyhow they got the Star Wars toy they were desperate for and all came home having consumed fried chicken nuggets,fries and McFlurry. What exactly was healthy about any part of that meal then?

A token fruit bag when everything else on the menu is either fried,high fat,salt,sugar doesn't make a healthy restaurant. Most normal kids with normal will power will go for fries thus making the fruit bag redundant. Having to bypass shite in order to get something healthy is wrong.

Oh and I went to Smiths to get our £1 Star Wars book and they said they'd been inundated with kids coming in with a lot of tokens so they'd completely run out.A lot of tokens means a lot of shite consumed as they were part of the Happy Meal box. Thanks to the advertising campaign kids were being lured into eating far more of the shite than they should be in order to get a Star Wars toy and book-wrong,wrong,wrong.

Considering a quarter of kids in this country are obese I think it's shameful that Mumsnet wants to support McDonalds in their advertising campaigns.

I don't think it is really a big deal tbh. McDonalds advertising is everywhere already and I doubt their are many kids who are unaware of it. And children don't use Mumsnet - if you don't like McDonalds ignore the ads.

I never notice any of the ads anyway so I couldn't care less.

If it means Mumsnet makes more money to keep the site going and improve it then go for it :)

This really has been done to death. The decision has been made. I don't like fast food being advertised on here - I think it compromises MNs integrity for the future.

Sorry Milamae. We did our best, but we lost. You can come and join my new parenting website if you like. I shall set one up which is righteous and just, one that does not promote the consumption of saturated fats and sugar, and that sticks to its principals and knows the right path to walk - away from the Golden Arches and The King's Burgers .

And a little bit sweary.

I'll come too. Very disappointing.

I said yes, because I believe it's not up to us to tell MN what to do. Much more than don't care. I guess they agreed with me! :o

Sounds good(particularly the little bit sweary)will save me hanging around in Tickersville .

So you think the fruit bags are healthy? What kind of shit chemicals do you think they put on cut apples to stop them going brown within minutes of being cut?
And a bag of fruit doesn't make a healthy meal. And that isn't even the point.

MN seems to be representative of something. HQ has an aura of Boden, campaigning for equality, fair treatment for our children ... and advertising McDonalds. Sort of sticks in the throat a bit that last bit doesn't it.

And the sodding adverts drive me mad. I have to move the side bar off the screen so they don't flicker me insane. May get Adblocker then I can be blissfull ignorant.