McDonald’s chief defends marketing junk food to children
McDonald’s chief Don Thompson has waded into a row surrounding the company’s targeting of children in advertising campaigns by insisting the burger chain is not ‘predatory’.
The spirited defence came in the wake of criticism from parents that his firm’s activities were just that and followed hot on the heels of a new cartoon Happy Meal mascot, part of a quiet retreat from the Ronald McDonald clown character, who has largely been put out to grass with charitable work.
‘Happy’ is intended to promote the fast food chain’s healthier options such as yogurt and apples but hasn’t yet won over healthy eating advocates, nor many parents.
Addressing a shareholder meeting Thompson said: “We have been marketing responsibly. You don't see Ronald McDonald eating food. You never see Ronald in schools."
McDonald’s has endured negative headlines on a number of fronts recently, notably an international strike which has seen hundreds of workers walk out as part of demands for a minimum wage of $15 per hour.