McDonald's India Archives - MARKETECH APAC

Mumbai, India – McDonald’s India has announced that Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna is the fast food chain’s new brand ambassador for its key advertising campaigns, especially in West and South India.

Mandanna has been featured in various Telugu and Kannada films such as ‘Kirik Party’, ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’, ‘Geetha Govindam’, and ‘Dear Comrade’. She also currently has a total of 15 million followers on Instagram, making her a household name and a popular face among millennials, especially in the Southern states of the country.

“McDonald’s has been one of my favorite brands since I was a kid. I’d literally lived on McDonald’s when I was in college. When they reached out to me for this association, I was absolutely thrilled! I am delighted to represent a brand that is passionate about serving yummy food with great quality to its consumers,” Mandanna stated regarding her appointment as brand ambassador.

She added, “McDonald’s has been serving Indian consumers for 25 years and counting now and is definitely a preferred choice across all age groups. I am really excited about my partnership with such an amazing and trusted brand.”

Meanwhile, Arvind RP, director for marketing and communications at McDonald’s India (West and South) said, “We are delighted to have Rashmika onboard. She is someone who connects strongly with millennials and is a popular youth icon.”

Mandanna, popularly known as the ‘National Crush’ has expressed her love for food through her social media handles, on several occasions. Rashmika will be a part of key brand campaigns and will play a pivotal role in enhancing ‘brand love’ for McDonald’s across key markets.

Mumbai, India – As February concludes in a non-leap year, McDonald’s India has taken the liberty to celebrate the so-called ‘leapling’ birthdays, and give them the celebration they deserve through its new marketing campaign.

The Indian arm of the popular fast-food chain has initially released a short film, conceptualized by advertising agency DDB Mudra Group. The film depicts quirky highlights on what do people jest about celebrating the birthday on February 29. From their ‘actual age’ jokes to calling their birthday a holiday, the film concludes with a curated meal for these birthday celebrants to enjoy.

“Everyone loves their birthday. It’s the day the world makes you feel special. But for some, this happy day appears on the calendar only once in 4 years. And as a brand that believes that happiness is for everyone, we thought McDonald’s could make it special for these leaplings,” said Rahul Mathew, chief creative officer at DDB Mudra Group.

The promo meal called ‘Surprise Leap Meal’, offers leapling birthday celebrants an exclusive meal which includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian burgers, as well as desserts and shakes.

DDB-Mudras-Group-McDonald's-India — *(Left) Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group; (Right) Arvind RP, director – marketing and communications, McDonald’s India (West and South)*

“McDonald’s has always aimed to create special moments for one and all. Unlike all others, the leaplings have to wait for 3 long years to celebrate their actual birthday. With this campaign, we hope to add some extra cheer to our leapling customers’ birthday week and make them feel special,” according to Arvind RP, director for marketing and communications at McDonald’s India, in West and South.

The ‘Surprise Leap Meal’ was initially rolled out last February 27, and will run until March 7, 2021. The exclusive meal is also only open to customers at select McDonald’s outlets in West and South.

New Delhi, India – As part of the fast-food chain’s commitment to bringing their in-house meals at a ‘great value’, the Indian arm of McDonald’s has launched a new combo offer called #MatchedByYou, where customers are able to add Coke or Fries at @ Rs. 45 with select McDonald’s menu items. The promo is for a limited time for branches in North and East India.

With this, the fast-food brand has launched a new mini-series, conceptualized together with advertising company DDB Mudra Group, where it humanizes the combo offer through a story about a love triangle between the Burger (aka Buggy), the Fries (aka Freya), and the Coke (aka Kiara), and viewers would have to decide which combo wins the popular vote.

“We know that many of today’s customers are looking for value for money options for the food they crave. The #MatchedByYou offer is the latest way we want our customers to enjoy their favorite meal served hot and fresh at an affordable price,” said Robert Hunghanfoo, head of Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which operates McDonald’s franchises in North and East India.

(Left) Robert Hunghanfoo, head of Connaught Plaza Restaurants, (Right) Ashutosh Sawhney, managing partner for North India at DDB Mudra Group

Speaking about the mini-series concept, Ashutosh Sawhney, managing partner for North India at DDB Mudra Group, said, “In a first of its kind sales-driven mini-series, McDonald’s is giving the remote to its consumers so they can play match-makers. #MatchedByYou is a unique campaign where people show their love for the sides they prefer and end up completing the burger’s love story. Backed by sales and consumer preference, the story will move forward to reveal what happens next in this love affair.”