McDonald's Launches First Global Happy Meal With Disney's Mulan Movie Promotion

    OAK BROOK, Ill., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's(R) celebrates Disney's
 "Mulan" with the first-ever global Happy Meal(R) featuring the same set of
 toys for children worldwide.  Beginning June 16, eight large and colorful
 action figures based on characters from the movie will be available in
 McDonald's restaurants nationwide throughout the four-week Happy Meal program.
     "For the first time, we have teamed up with Disney to offer the same
 property, with the same toys and the same packaging -- in 38 different
 languages -- throughout McDonald's restaurants worldwide," said Dean Barrett,
 McDonald's Vice President, Global Marketing.  "And by leveraging the economies
 of scale that result from one universal set of toys, we have been able to
 create an exciting collection of high-quality, high-action toys for children
 around the world."
     McDonald's restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada will be the first to
 offer the Mulan global Happy Meal program, followed by Latin America and Asia
 Pacific in July, Japan in September and Europe and the Middle East in
 November/December.
     According to Barrett, Happy Meal production has increased in the U.S.
 alone 23 percent in the past four years, making McDonald's the largest
 distributor of toys in the world, by volume.  In 1997, McDonald's U.S. Happy
 Meal sales increased seven percent due in large part to the seven Disney
 programs implemented as a result of McDonald's exclusive global alliance with
 Disney which began in January of that year.
     "Through our unprecedented McDonald's/Disney global alliance, we are able
 to capitalize on the worldwide consumer recognition enjoyed by both our brands
 to develop unique joint programs like our Mulan Happy Meal that can be enjoyed
 by children around the world," added Barrett.
     Coming to theaters June 19, Walt Disney Pictures' "Mulan" is an
 entertaining and exciting adventure based on one of China's best-loved
 legends.  It tells the story of a spirited young woman who disguises herself
 as a man and secretly takes her ailing father's place in the Imperial army in
 order to save his life.
 
     RESTAURANTS SHOWCASE CHINESE FOLKTALE THEME
     In addition to the global Happy Meal, McDonald's restaurants across the
 U.S. will implement a fun consumer promotion tied to the movie beginning
 June 16.  Elements include:
 
      Chicken McNuggets(R) Menu Offers -- McDonald's Chicken McNuggets will be
 available with a new, limited-time special Szechwan dipping sauce to celebrate
 "Mulan" at McDonald's.  In addition, restaurants will offer an "Imperial
 Pack," featuring 20-piece Chicken McNuggets, two large fries, and two 21-oz.
 soft drinks.
     Themed Packaging -- McDonald's restaurants will feature special decor and
 packaging inspired by the movie, including cartons shaped like Chinese
 restaurant takeout boxes for 6-piece and 20-piece Chicken McNuggets.
 
      National Advertising -- National television and radio ads supporting the
 promotion and targeting adults have been created by DDB Needham Chicago and
 will begin airing June 14.  Happy Meal advertising has been created by Leo
 Burnett Co. and begins airing June 16.
 
      McDonald's is the largest and best-known foodservice retailer, with more
 than 23,000 restaurants in 110 countries.  Approximately 85 percent of
 McDonald's U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.
 
 

SOURCE  McDonald's

    OAK BROOK, Ill., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's(R) celebrates Disney's
 "Mulan" with the first-ever global Happy Meal(R) featuring the same set of
 toys for children worldwide.  Beginning June 16, eight large and colorful
 action figures based on characters from the movie will be available in
 McDonald's restaurants nationwide throughout the four-week Happy Meal program.
     "For the first time, we have teamed up with Disney to offer the same
 property, with the same toys and the same packaging -- in 38 different
 languages -- throughout McDonald's restaurants worldwide," said Dean Barrett,
 McDonald's Vice President, Global Marketing.  "And by leveraging the economies
 of scale that result from one universal set of toys, we have been able to
 create an exciting collection of high-quality, high-action toys for children
 around the world."
     McDonald's restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada will be the first to
 offer the Mulan global Happy Meal program, followed by Latin America and Asia
 Pacific in July, Japan in September and Europe and the Middle East in
 November/December.
     According to Barrett, Happy Meal production has increased in the U.S.
 alone 23 percent in the past four years, making McDonald's the largest
 distributor of toys in the world, by volume.  In 1997, McDonald's U.S. Happy
 Meal sales increased seven percent due in large part to the seven Disney
 programs implemented as a result of McDonald's exclusive global alliance with
 Disney which began in January of that year.
     "Through our unprecedented McDonald's/Disney global alliance, we are able
 to capitalize on the worldwide consumer recognition enjoyed by both our brands
 to develop unique joint programs like our Mulan Happy Meal that can be enjoyed
 by children around the world," added Barrett.
     Coming to theaters June 19, Walt Disney Pictures' "Mulan" is an
 entertaining and exciting adventure based on one of China's best-loved
 legends.  It tells the story of a spirited young woman who disguises herself
 as a man and secretly takes her ailing father's place in the Imperial army in
 order to save his life.
 
     RESTAURANTS SHOWCASE CHINESE FOLKTALE THEME
     In addition to the global Happy Meal, McDonald's restaurants across the
 U.S. will implement a fun consumer promotion tied to the movie beginning
 June 16.  Elements include:
 
      Chicken McNuggets(R) Menu Offers -- McDonald's Chicken McNuggets will be
 available with a new, limited-time special Szechwan dipping sauce to celebrate
 "Mulan" at McDonald's.  In addition, restaurants will offer an "Imperial
 Pack," featuring 20-piece Chicken McNuggets, two large fries, and two 21-oz.
 soft drinks.
     Themed Packaging -- McDonald's restaurants will feature special decor and
 packaging inspired by the movie, including cartons shaped like Chinese
 restaurant takeout boxes for 6-piece and 20-piece Chicken McNuggets.
 
      National Advertising -- National television and radio ads supporting the
 promotion and targeting adults have been created by DDB Needham Chicago and
 will begin airing June 14.  Happy Meal advertising has been created by Leo
 Burnett Co. and begins airing June 16.
 
      McDonald's is the largest and best-known foodservice retailer, with more
 than 23,000 restaurants in 110 countries.  Approximately 85 percent of
 McDonald's U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.
 
 SOURCE  McDonald's