Clowns vs. clown

Corporate Accountability International, an activist group known for campaigning against planetary imperiling plastic water bottles, is going after the big man in the dodgy dungarees and big shoes.

The activist clowns claim the corporate clown Ronald McDonald cynically targets kids to promote unhealthy food (PDF):

Ronald McDonald is far from an innocent clown. Rather, as this stunning report reveals, the character is the product of a well-orchestrated and shrewd marketing strategy by America’s king of fast food. By connecting its corporate image to a fun-loving clown, McDonald’s gains a tremendous amount of positive public relations. And what better way to bypass parents and market directly to children than through a clown – the icon of circuses and children’s parties.

But most children have never heard of public relations and don’t even have the capacity to understand what marketing is all about. Instead, children’s lives are guided by fun and emotional attachment. That’s why they are the most vulnerable to the marketing strategies of a character like Ronald McDonald.

The people’s republic of San Francisco said much the same thing last year when they banned Happy Meal toys and claimed the coveted ‘Killjoy of the Year’ Award.

Corporate Accountability International is an anti-business organization that pushes the global warming agenda when it suits their purpose. Will the group be as quick to criticize NASA for it’s ‘well-orchestrated and shrewd marketing strategy’ to frighten moppets with stories of global warming?

Yeah, thought not.

Ronald’s handlers aren’t backing down without a fight:

“We are committed to responsible advertising and take our communications to children very seriously. We understand the importance of children’s health and nutrition, and are committed to being part of the dialogue and solution. We serve high quality food, and our Happy Meals offer choice and variety in portions just for kids. Parents tell us they appreciate our Happy Meal choices.”

With Big Mac’s strong support, it’s unlikely that Ron will be sleeping with the Filet-o-Fishes anytime soon, despite the scare-mongering clowns best efforts.

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