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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
10.22.2007 - 11:00am ET
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McDonald's (R) Launches DreamWorks' "Bee Movie(TM)" Global Happy Meal (TM) Promotion Extends Environmental Partnership with Conservation International to Reach Children Worldwide
Mary Dillon, global chief marketing officer, McDonald's Corporation, Peter Seligmann, CEO, Conservation International, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO, DreamWorks Animation SKG, watch area fourth graders sign a "Bee Good to the Planet" pledge in Chicago.
(CSRwire) OAK BROOK, IL - October 22, 2007 - Celebrating the launch of McDonald's
"Bee Movie" Happy Meal promotion, McDonald's, DreamWorks Animation SKG(TM)
and Conservation International have joined together to encourage kids to
have fun, learn, get outside and take action to "Bee Good to the
Planet."
Beginning October 26 at McDonald's restaurants in North America and
rolling out around the globe through the end of the year, McDonald's "Bee
Movie" Happy Meal program features exclusive characters from DreamWorks'
upcoming "Bee Movie" film from creator Jerry Seinfeld. McDonald's
continues the fun online to reinforce the movie's environmental message
with eco-friendly tips provided by its long-time partner, Conservation
International. Kids around the world are being invited to take the "Bee
Good to the Planet" pledge at both happymeal.com and conservation.org and get active in
protecting the environment. McDonald's is making a difference in the
field as well by directly supporting Conservation International projects
in South Africa and Mexico that are working to protect important bee
habitats.
Following the success of the "Shrek the Third(TM)" Happy Meal earlier this
year, which represented the company's biggest promotion of fruit,
vegetables and milk, McDonald's will continue to use characters from
DreamWorks' latest property, "Bee Movie," to promote fruit, vegetables and
milk in markets around the world.
"From encouraging balanced food choices and active lifestyles to inspiring
environmental citizenship, McDonald's is committed to playing a positive
role in children's well-being," said Mary Dillon, global chief marketing
officer, McDonald's. "We know kids care about the environment, which is
why we're delighted to work with Conservation International and DreamWorks
to inspire kids to get out into nature and get engaged in protecting the
planet."
Bee-Approved in North America
In North America, McDonald's is celebrating the arrival of the "Bee Movie"
with a "Barry Approved" campaign. The promotion showcases Chicken
McNuggets(TM) made with white meat and the movie's main character, Barry
B. Benson, on Apple Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices with optional
low-fat caramel dipping sauce) and low-fat white Milk Jugs served in
child-friendly containers. The kids' digital community encouraging kids
to make "eco-pledges" to protect the environment, will be available in
English in the U.S. on October 26 at www.happymeal.com.
"The 'Bee Movie' promotion at McDonald's delivers great quality food
choices, fun toys and a meaningful way for kids and families to learn
about and positively impact the environment," said Neil Golden, vice
president, U.S. Marketing, McDonald's.
McDonald's and Conservation International Global Partnership
McDonald's and Conservation International have worked together on
environment issues since 1990, collaborating on multiple short-term and
long-range projects with both local and global impact.
Under the expert guidance of Conservation International, McDonald's has
successfully developed a global sustainable supply chain vision and
specific adjoining guidelines that have contributed to continuous
improvement in environmental performance throughout the McDonald's supply
chain. Most recently, McDonald's is supporting their efforts to preserve
precious bee habitats in Mexico and South Africa.
"As our first corporate partner, McDonald's has demonstrated ongoing
environmental commitment and leadership by improving their own business
practices, talking to their customers about the environment and supporting
conservation efforts directly in the field," said Peter Seligmann, chief
executive officer and chairman, Conservation International. "We're so
pleased to extend our long-term relationship with McDonald's in this
important effort to protect vital bee habitats and inform children about
the small things they can do to make a big difference for our planet."
McDonald's and DreamWorks
The global McDonald's and DreamWorks relationship began in May 2007 with
the premiere of "Shrek the Third(TM)". The collaboration continues, with
both companies sharing a strong commitment to children's well-being.
"DreamWorks and McDonald's have clearly demonstrated our commitment to
making a difference," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer,
DreamWorks Animation. "Our partnership is just one example of how
entertainment properties can inspire and motivate kids and families to get
involved in important topics like the environment and their own
well-being."
"Bee Movie" Around The Globe At McDonald's
The excitement of the "Bee Movie" will be brought to life in McDonald's
markets around the world. Examples include:
Canada: "Bee Movie" characters will be featured on Happy Meal
packaging with Apple Slices and Milk Cartons. Honeycomb-flavored
Sippah(TM) straws will be available with the purchase of McDonald's Milk
Jugs. Also moms will be recognized for their heroic efforts through the
"Queen Bee" sweepstakes.
Australia: McDonald's restaurants will have "Bee Movie" themed
PlayLands. Customers also have the chance to win a fantastic 'money can't
buy' "Bee Movie" prize - the opportunity to travel to Canada to visit the
Activision Animation Studio to see what they'd look like as animated
characters.
United Kingdom: McDonald's UK will be launching a new pineapple and
grape fruit bag featuring graphics from the "Bee Movie." To highlight the
importance of bees and the process of pollination to the environment,
there will be an on the box competition for children called "Draw one,
Plant one" that asks them to draw their own "bee friendly" flower. Each
child who submits a flower drawing will receive a packet of flower seeds
to plant.
Latin America: The "Bee Movie" Happy Meal promotion will run under
the "Nutrition" JaJa Mundo theme. In addition, an educational campaign for
consumers will be launched featuring "Bee Movie" characters to foster good
will and good citizenship attitude towards taking individual actions to
make a positive impact.
McDonald's Online Kids' Platform
The "Bee Movie" characters make their debut on McDonald' online kids
community dedicated to kids' well-being, physical activity and fun with a
purpose. The site, which launched with "Shrek's Treketh to Adventure" in
May, is designed to stimulate imagination and activity through online
games and energetic, offline activities and challenges. McDonald's "Bee
Movie" website invites children to make "eco-pledges" - online promises to
improve the environment through real-world environmentally friendly
activities. Kids are encouraged to get outside and explore nature and to
discover how their small contributions can help impact the world around
them. Digital downloads are also available including screensavers and IM
buddy icons.
This "Bee Movie" kids' digital community will be available in English on
October 26 at www.happymeal.com and will roll out
around the world in 10 languages through mid-January 2008 as the film is
released.
"Bee Movie" Happy Meal Promotion TV Commercial
As part of McDonald's DreamWorks partnership, the studio has created
original animation for McDonald's new global TV commercial, which features
the voice of Jerry Seinfeld in the English- language version. The ad will
be customized by countries and will begin airing October 26 in the U.S.
featuring Chicken McNuggets made with white meat, Apple Dippers and
low-fat white Milk Jugs, and in select countries around the world
throughout the coming months.
About The "Bee Movie"
DreamWorks Animation's "Bee Movie" features the comic talents of Jerry
Seinfeld and tells the story of Barry B. Benson - a recent college
graduate bee who wants more out of life than making honey. When Benson
ventures out into the world and learns that humans have been stealing
honey from bees for centuries, he takes his case to court, and wins.
Victory is sweet until the balance of nature is upset, and Barry B. Benson
must prove that even a little bee can change the world.
About McDonald's
McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than
30,000 local restaurants in 118 countries. Approximately 70 percent of
McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent,
local men and women. Please visit www.mcdonalds.com to learn more about
the company.
About DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE-DWA) is devoted to producing high-quality
family entertainment through the use of computer-generated (CG) animation.
Utilizing world-class creative talent and state-of-the-art technological
capabilities, the company is committed to making two computer-animated
feature films a year that appeal to a broad movie-going audience. Please
visit www.dreamworksanimation.com
to learn more about DreamWorks Animation.
About Conservation International
Conservation International (CI) applies innovations in science, economics,
policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions
of plant and animal diversity in the biodiversity
hotspots, high-biodiversity wilderness areas and key marine ecosystems.
With headquarters in Washington, D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries
on four continents. For more information about CI, visit www.conservation.org.
For more information and photos of the "Bee Movie" at McDonald's, please
visit www.mcdepk.com/bee movie.
(C) 2007 McDonald's
Bee Movie is a registered trademark of DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
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