In a time when who you know matters more than what you know, it comes as no surprise that franchises turn to name-dropping to stay ahead of the cut-throat competition.
Taco Bell’s new ad campaign to launch its breakfast menu set the internet on fire as it took name-dropping to a whole new cheeky level. The ad features fast-food rival McDonald’s mascot’s name – “Ronald McDonald.”
Take a look at the ad and then keep reading:
Taco Bell found 25 guys across America, whose real names happen to be Ronald McDonald, and featured them devouring a waffle taco – one of the items on the Mexican fast-food chain’s new breakfast menu.
Created by the agency Deutsch L.A., the ad starts with a narrator saying, “To show you just how much people are loving Taco Bell’s all new breakfast, we asked some very special people.”
A bunch of guys then introduce themselves one-by-one, as Ronald McDonald, each eating a waffle taco and “lovin’ it.” That’s followed by a group shot of all of them saying in unison: “My name is Ronald McDonald, and I love Taco Bell’s new breakfast.”
The ad ends with the narrator finally saying “Breakfast anybody can love — even Ronald McDonald.”
Crisp. Clean. Cheeky.
King of the castle
While McDonald’s currently sits on the fast-food breakfast throne owning 25 per cent market share, Taco Bell has certainly made a grand entrance – whether ethical, tasteful or otherwise. According to research firm Technomic, breakfast is an estimated $50 billion US segment in the $200 billion fast food industry. And with those kind of numbers,the on-going fast food war is no joke.
Twitter reacts
The ad resulted in Taco Bell becoming a “Trending Topic” on Twitter.
Some thought the ad was brilliant and loved it:
I love that the new @TacoBell breakfast ad features Ronald McDonald. Well played, Taco Bell.
— Tyler Race (@TheTylerRace) March 27, 2014
Brilliant ad campaign | Taco Bell’s Breakfast Endorser: Ronald McDonald http://t.co/BiHDxScyDK — Jeff Lucas (@jephilip) March 27, 2014
You know who loves Taco Bell’s breakfast? Ronald McDonald. Haha! Here’s Taco Bell’s new ad sticking it to McDs: http://t.co/hWCaEs3xpo — Cat Drowley (@cat_drowley) March 27, 2014
Not the biggest fan of Taco Bell but their new breakfast ad campaign is awesome. “Ronald McDonald loves Taco Bell”.
— Rod Wilson (@FonzieJones) March 27, 2014
While others hated it…
Every time I see an ad for Taco Bell’s breakfast, my gallbladder wants to shrivel up and die… #ick
— Briana Bess (@briana_kay) March 26, 2014
Dear Taco Bell, This Ad Is Your Walk Of Shame. – Breakfast to Bed: http://t.co/BK81ZVAy
— Erika Nicole Kendall (@bgg2wl) January 31, 2012
But whether brilliant or lame, ethical or sleazy, Taco Bell has achieved what it set out to do: Get everyone talking about its new breakfast.
