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

[carriemumsnet]

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?

I would like to ask him when is he going to have more girly toys in the Happy Meals instead of the current Spiderwick scary monsters as dd1 doesn't like them.

Thanks

Au contraire Tutter, Let's not have a debate

let's make our point by not letting him speak! What on earth could this guy say which could possibly convince us any of the merits of McD, there is a wealth of information out there on the practices of this huge company, we do not need to become part of their marketing machine in order to find out about them, there is no need. Anything which might be said to him will have been said before, he will have a well used stock of replies. There is nothing to be gained.

Furthermore there are loads of pro/in moderation type posts on this thread about Mcd, are you sure he will really be entering a nest of vipers?

Yes, bring it on! Let's ask how they manage to pack so many calories into a a miniscule chicken salad, and why their milkshakes don't contain milk for starters.

don't forget once your children are teenagers they'll scoff mcdonalds, or would you prefer they went to kfc

OO - last time we went to BK ds got a cabbage patch doll he was not impressed!

Though I was pleasantly surprised when I rang my local macdonalds and asked about their waste veg oil and was told that they recycle the oil and convert it to biodiesel and use it to run their lorries. Very green way of dealing with their waste oil.

On the other hand, I remember doing a school project years ago about the lack of ethics in Macdonalds dealing with suppliers etc.

If this bloke is interested in improving things at MD's, it would be great to speak to him. If it is just a way of getting off the banned advertisers list at Mumsnet, then there is no point in talking to him.

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

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

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

Have MN towers decided whaat to do?

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]

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

Me too

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??

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??

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

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.

Message withdrawn

yes yes yes

for the reasons i gave aaaaaages ago

I think you should.

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

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

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

well, let's see

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

(sorry, dodgy R)