McDonald's COO: I'm A Christian And That Gay Ad Will Never Play In America

[clintswan]

Borrowed from Joe.My.God.

McDonald's Chief Operating Officer Donald Thompson:

"I've never shied away from the fact that I'm a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else. I've been in countries where the majority of the people in the country don't believe in a deity or they may be atheist. Or the majority of the country is Muslim. Or it may be the majority is much younger skewed. So when you look at all these differences, it's not that I'm to be the judge or the jury relative to right or wrong. Having said that, at McDonald's, there are core values we stand for and the world is getting much closer. So we have a lot of conversations. We're going to make some mistakes at times. (We talk) about things that may have an implication in one part of the world and may be the cultural norm in another part of the world. And those are things that, yes, we're going to learn from. But, you're right, that commercial won't show in the United States."

I sent this to McDonald's :

Recently there has been a controversy surrounding a gay-friendly ad in France from the McDonald's franchise. There was nothing overt or obscene of the ad; there was no romantic displays, no specific scenes that families may or may not object to. Only an indirect statement that on of the main focal points happened to be a gay youth.

Evangelicals within America were upset at an ad in a foreign country. This has caused your COO to issue a response that although "[he doesn't] impose those [views] on anybody else," he assures those who object to the commercial that "that commercial won't show in the United States."

I have been a supporter of McDonald's through my many purchases of goods, as well as defending said goods to those who have criticized it based on improper eating habits and effects. Yet due to this comment, I can no longer in good conscious continue to support said goods and the franchise. While the initial commercial made me happy to be a McDonald's customer, increasing my spending habits at my local establishment, this inclusion of veiled statement of "values" has disappointed me.

The majority of Americans now support same-sex rights. Gay characters are finding to be more common on major broadcasting networks. And yet American McDonald's, through the COO, can not support a gay character in a commercial. As much as I enjoyed McDonald's food, this statement tells me McDonald's does not enjoy my sexual orientation, nor my money.


And they sent this back:

Hello Clint:


Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's. We truly appreciate customer feedback and welcome this opportunity to share some information with you.

The ad you're referencing is one of a series of ads called "Come as You Are" which recognizes the diversity of McDonald's customers in France. This particular commercial was produced by McDonald's France and is running only in France.

Each of our 117 markets around the world determines their own path on advertising and marketing, which is nothing new at McDonald's. Advertising has always varied around the world.

Again, thank you for contacting McDonald's. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again soon under the Golden Arches.

Shannon
McDonald's Customer Response Center

Ad in question:

Comments

[barak.livejournal.com]

It may be time to organize a boycott of McDonald's then.

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

I wholeheartedly agree, and may I add...I like that picture of you. Very fetching...even, dare I say it, moofalicious.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

That's clearly a form letter generated by the keywords in your original letter.

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

They need a new program then...

[heypyro.livejournal.com]

I've worked doing email support, and yes, it is totally stock. Typically, we had to read the letter and select the response from a drop down list. They've obviously only written a response for people against the commercial, or "Shannon" didn't read Clint's email too well.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

While you did get an answer (which is commendable), it was basically a non-answer boilerplate that looks tailored for those complaining about the French ad in particular, and not the COO's xtian blather. Someone either does not get it, does not care, or they have not geared up to the latest controversy.

Thanks much for your efforts!

[musklebear.livejournal.com]

'come as you are' unless you're a butt pirate, cuz we don't want to piss off the christian reich.

*giggle*

Once you stop going to MacDonalds, it will stop tasting good. Trust me on that one.

There are MUCH Better burgers out there.
Come down to San Diego and I'll take you a place we can get one pound angus burgers and they mix in whatever ingredients you want! YUMMMMMM!

[sultmhoor.livejournal.com]

I miss the McDLT...

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

She COMPLETELY missed the point of you letter, didn't she.

Very very very sad.

(shakes head)

[msclwolf.livejournal.com]

Someone else posted similar and I replied....
"I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else" Vs "But, you're right, that commercial won't show in the United States." Sooooo if he was not imposing ANY personal beliefs then everyone shold indeed be equal, so even if you only assume 5% of any given population is gay (lets not even start on the 'bisexual' tag), then if McD's is to make its product appeal to all, then surely 5% of it's commercials or characters (staff or clients) should be portrayed as having some gay component e.g. if only gay friendly! Of course this means that taken further the whole possible cross section of race and cultural possibilities should be represented..... actually, why not indeed!! Why not promote Mc D's as being available to all???

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

I already don't eat at McDonald's but that's because I don't care for their food. It is the next to the lowest on my own fast food eatery list. When I saw the ad I wished that I had at least gotten a soda in a French McDonald's to support this positive attitude. But hearing what their COO said, they will never get one more dollar of my money.

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing an auto response. Same as you get when your write your congressman

[cpj.livejournal.com]

Boycotting McDonalds wouldn't be a bad thing. Your body would probably appreciate it.

Let all the straight people get heart attacks.

[wwcitizen.livejournal.com]

While I don't find this particular ad very gay-affirming, at least they're exposing the gay youth of today - around the world. We're working on other companies who might not be supportive of gay rights in the US, too.