McDonald's says no way Ronald will retire

[GSG]

McDonald's says no way Ronald will retire
By ASHLEY M. HEHER, AP Retail Writer Ashley M. Heher, Ap Retail Writer – Thu May 20, 2:38 pm ET

CHICAGO – Retire Ronald McDonald? No way.

That's the message McDonald's Corp.'s CEO Jim Skinner gave Thursday to the red-haired clown's critics who say the cartoon promotes unhealthy eating and should go the way of the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel.

"The answer is no," Skinner told a room full of shareholders who gathered for a meeting at the company's headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill.

"He is a force for good," Skinner said, adding that the nearly 50-year-old clown is an ambassador for the McDonald's brand and its Ronald McDonald House Charities. "He communicates effectively with children and families around balanced, active lifestyles. He does not hawk food."

Shareholders applauded Skinner. And they unleashed a chorus of boos when representatives from the advocacy group Corporate Accountability International requested the famous icon be shelved — for good.

"Ronald McDonald is a pied piper drawing youngsters all over the world to food that is high in fat, sodium and calories," said Alfred David Klinger, a retired Chicago physician who volunteers with the organization. "On the surface, Ronald is there to give children enjoyment in all sorts of way with toys, games and food. But Ronald McDonald is dangerous, sending insidious messages to young people."

The Boston organization, which calls itself a nonprofit corporate watchdog, has spent the past two months mounting a "Retire Ronald" campaign.

So far it has received support from about 10,000 people, said senior organizer Deborah Lapidus.

:facepalm:

 

[Husker_x]

While I loved the documentary Supersize Me, this was one of the most absurd and insulting avenues of argument. McDonald's is only in business to sell food. What kind of food, how much food, and to what demographic is something that is ultimately not under their control. They can TRY to lure kids into wanting Happy Meals, but parents are the ones who decide what, when, and how often their kid gets McDonalds. And there's nothing wrong with eating fast food occasionally. There's nothing wrong with eating fast food every day of your life if you want to––it's your body, your health.

I choose to eat McDonalds, and I'm completely informed about the basic nutritional facts involved. I choose to eat it anyway, and I choose not to eat it most of the time. Personal responsibility is my concern and mine alone, and I will vote with my feet when I decide it's necessary.

 

[HUSKER 37]

While I loved the documentary Supersize Me, this was one of the most absurd and insulting avenues of argument. McDonald's is only in business to sell food. What kind of food, how much food, and to what demographic is something that is ultimately not under their control. They can TRY to lure kids into wanting Happy Meals, but parents are the ones who decide what, when, and how often their kid gets McDonalds. And there's nothing wrong with eating fast food occasionally. There's nothing wrong with eating fast food every day of your life if you want toit's your body, your health.

I choose to eat McDonalds, and I'm completely informed about the basic nutritional facts involved. I choose to eat it anyway, and I choose not to eat it most of the time. Personal responsibility is my concern and mine alone, and I will vote with my feet when I decide it's necessary.

Still.

Nobody should ever use a clown to promote anything.

They're really really scary... chuckleshuffle

 

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

While I loved the documentary Supersize Me, this was one of the most absurd and insulting avenues of argument. McDonald's is only in business to sell food. What kind of food, how much food, and to what demographic is something that is ultimately not under their control. They can TRY to lure kids into wanting Happy Meals, but parents are the ones who decide what, when, and how often their kid gets McDonalds. And there's nothing wrong with eating fast food occasionally. There's nothing wrong with eating fast food every day of your life if you want to––it's your body, your health.

I choose to eat McDonalds, and I'm completely informed about the basic nutritional facts involved. I choose to eat it anyway, and I choose not to eat it most of the time. Personal responsibility is my concern and mine alone, and I will vote with my feet when I decide it's necessary.

Absolutely agree.

 

[Hingle McCringleberry]

While I loved the documentary Supersize Me, this was one of the most absurd and insulting avenues of argument. McDonald's is only in business to sell food. What kind of food, how much food, and to what demographic is something that is ultimately not under their control. They can TRY to lure kids into wanting Happy Meals, but parents are the ones who decide what, when, and how often their kid gets McDonalds. And there's nothing wrong with eating fast food occasionally. There's nothing wrong with eating fast food every day of your life if you want to––it's your body, your health.

I choose to eat McDonalds, and I'm completely informed about the basic nutritional facts involved. I choose to eat it anyway, and I choose not to eat it most of the time. Personal responsibility is my concern and mine alone, and I will vote with my feet when I decide it's necessary.

I agree. Remember a few years ago, when some parents tried to sue McD's because their 10 year old son weighed 200 pounds (or maybe more, I cant remember). Then it came out they let the kid eat there 15 times a week. People are so f'ing stupid sometimes. I'm fat because I love steak, beer, and pasta. I dont work out enough, I eat to much, and it is killing me. I harbor no illusions, if my heart shuts down, I will not sue Carrabas for making me fat.

As for the supersize me guy, he is a whining d-bag. His anti-big company stance makes me sick. I try to support local companies, but who built your car, made your jeans, and how did they get here. Large multinational companies have their place. I dont understand the whole "I hat big business stance"

EDIT: Although I did like the movie, even though I didn't buy what he was putting out there. I am referring to his show 28 days (or something) on FX, and his books.

 

[Overland Park Husker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyhn1IGgnsI&feature=related

 

[Apathy]

That's the message McDonald's Corp.'s CEO Jim Skinner gave Thursday to the red-haired clown's critics who say the cartoon promotes unhealthy eating and should go the way of the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel.

Isn't Ronald McDonald skinny???? I can understand if Ronald McDonalds image was an obese Ronald but he's a toothpick.

I can't eat McD's burgers anymore they make me feel like I'm gonna throw up so I just stick to the McNuggets

 

[Husker_x]

That's the message McDonald's Corp.'s CEO Jim Skinner gave Thursday to the red-haired clown's critics who say the cartoon promotes unhealthy eating and should go the way of the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel.

Isn't Ronald McDonald skinny???? I can understand if Ronald McDonalds image was an obese Ronald but he's a toothpick.

I can't eat McD's burgers anymore they make me feel like I'm gonna throw up so I just stick to the McNuggets

What's sort of funny is that McD's is just about last place for me when I'm going for a drive-thru. Wendy's, Runza, BK, Arby's––all better than the golden arches IMO.

But of course if Ronald folded up shop tomorrow, the same people would simply move down to their next target.

 

[NUance]

That's the message McDonald's Corp.'s CEO Jim Skinner gave Thursday to the red-haired clown's critics who say the cartoon promotes unhealthy eating and should go the way of the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel.

Isn't Ronald McDonald skinny???? I can understand if Ronald McDonalds image was an obese Ronald but he's a toothpick.

I can't eat McD's burgers anymore they make me feel like I'm gonna throw up so I just stick to the McNuggets

What's sort of funny is that McD's is just about last place for me when I'm going for a drive-thru. Wendy's, Runza, BK, Arby's––all better than the golden arches IMO.

But of course if Ronald folded up shop tomorrow, the same people would simply move down to their next target.

I’d like to see a cage match between Ronald McDonald and the Burger King guy. Sure, the Burger King has the creepiness factor going for him. But Ronald has seen it all. He is really cagey. For a fast food clown, that is.