McDonalds UK have been forced to apologise for this new advert this week, pulling it almost as soon as it appeared.
You can view the advert below, but let’s first get to the apology. People were definitely not loving it. The company said:
“We apologise for any upset this advert has caused. This was by no means an intention of ours.
“The commercial, which was originally scheduled to run throughout the UK, was supposed to “highlight the role McDonald’s has played in our customers’ everyday lives – both in good and difficult times.”
Okay, so what’s all the fuss about, then?
Well have a look at the advert below.
The problem? Child bereavement groups in the UK argued that it might confuse young, vulnerable people who are dealing with a loss and trivilaise the grieving process “for the sake of a product”, mashable reports.
As with most outrage these days, people took to Twitter to raise their concerns.
Trying to decide if the new McDonald’s advert takes the crown for Most Poorly Conceived Advertisement or not
— James (@JamesWithAnE) May 15, 2017
And the Maltesers ad abt a disabled girl having a spasm and accidentally wanking off her boyfriend to completion
— James (@JamesWithAnE) May 15, 2017
Is it me or is the new McDonald’s ad with the mother & son talking about the deceased dad a bit weird ? #McDonald’s #weird #inappropiate
— Paul O’Callaghan (@OPorloc) May 15, 2017
You always wonder how many people had to sign off on an ad like this https://t.co/jpeCza4bAz
— Martin Belam (@MartinBelam) May 16, 2017
@GMB I loved McDonald’s ad! I didn’t associate fast food and death – no exploitation what so ever – stop moaning about everything world!
— Jennifer Campbell (@jencam1974) May 17, 2017
Every time I see the @McDonalds ad about the boys father it makes me wanna start a hate campaign against Mcdonalds its disgusting
— Martin D (@Razor8j) May 17, 2017
Even the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority is looking into whether the sentimental ad went too far, the BBC reported.
McDonalds pulls advert from all media
Yesterday, McDonald’s UK released a statement saying that it will be pulling its “Dad” advertisement from all media.
A spokesperson said, “We will also review our creative process to ensure this situation never occurs again.” The final advertisement is expected to air Wednesday before it’s permanently removed.
