Features Olympians During their Unforgettable Winning Moments Including Amy
Van Dyken, Michael Johnson and Mary Lou Retton; Spot to Be Updated with New
Smile Moments from Sydney
OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's will tug at the
heartstrings of Americans filled with the Olympic Spirit when it airs a new
60-second "Olympic Smiles" commercial. The spot, which is set to break
Monday, September 4, in a variety of high-profile network programming
beginning with the national morning shows, features emotionally-charged
vintage smile moments from some of the most decorated and recognized U.S.
Olympians. It is the latest commercial to use the recently introduced, "We
Love to See You Smile(TM)" theme.
The commercial, created by DDB Chicago, will first air on networks, cable
and syndicated programming two weeks prior to Opening Ceremony. Plans call
for the spot to be updated throughout the Games with new Olympic smile moments
from the athletes competing in Sydney.
"As a proud partner of the Olympic movement, McDonald's is excited to
rekindle these memorable moments that have made us, and the athletes smile
over the years," said Larry Zwain, senior vice president, McDonald's U.S.
Marketing. "We have a rich history of breakthrough Olympic-themed advertising
that motivates our crew and resonates with our customers. With this
unprecedented move to include current Olympic athletes shortly after competing
in their events, we hope to capture the spirit of the Games and striving to be
your best."
The line-up of past medal-winning athletes was developed from a long list
of memorable Olympics moments and includes the smile of Amy Van Dyken, a
former McDonald's crew member, who captured four gold medals in swimming at
the '96 Atlanta Games.
"I am thrilled to be included in such an inspirational commercial," said
Van Dyken, who worked at her local McDonald's in Englewood, Colorado,
"Everyone has a special place in their hearts for the Olympic Games and, as a
former McDonald's crew member, it is great to be honored by a company that has
meant so much to me."
Olympians featured in the "Olympic Smiles" commercial (in order of
appearance) include:
-- Amy Van Dyken - Gold Medalist, Swimming, Atlanta, 1996; former
McDonald's crew member
-- Jesse Owens - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Berlin, 1936
-- Tara Lipinski - Gold Medalist, Figure Skating, Nagano, 1998
-- Bruce Jenner - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Montreal, 1976
-- Otis Davis - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Rome, 1960
-- Mary Lou Retton - Gold Medalist, Gymnastics, Los Angeles, 1984
-- Florence Griffith-Joyner - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Seoul, 1988
-- Michelle Kwan - Silver Medalist, Figure Skating, Nagano, 1998
-- Wilma Rudolph - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Rome, 1960
-- Dan Jansen - Gold Medalist, Speed Skating, Lillehammer, 1994
-- Greg Louganis - Gold Medalist, Diving, Seoul, 1988
-- Michael Johnson - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Atlanta, 1996
McDonald's is the world's largest global foodservice retailer with more
than 28,000 restaurants, serving nearly 43 million people each day in 119
countries. More than 85 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world
are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.
SOURCE McDonald's
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Related links:
http://www.media.mcdonalds.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
CONTACT:
Julie Monzo of McDonald's, 630-623-6049,
email, julie.monzo@mcd.com; or Cindy Pettersen of Burson
Marstellar, 312-596-3494, email, cynthia_pettersen@chi.bm.com
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