McDonald's® Launches National Men of McCafe® Search With AOL Blackvoices

OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The McDonald's Men of McCafe Search is a new talent search launching nationwide on September 25.  Through hosting a series of live events and an e-mail entry time period McDonald's will determine which five community service-minded males will represent as the official Men of McCafe at the 2011 Essence Music Festival.  McDonald's has teamed with popular online portal AOL Blackvoices to bring this exciting search to life online by hosting applicants' profiles and online content from the series of live events.  Starting in October 20, 2010, consumers will be able to email [email protected] and apply for a chance to represent McCafe.

The Men of McCafe, a group of African American male brand ambassadors, made their successful debut at the McDonald's booth during the 2009 Essence Music Festival, creating an unexpected frenzy among female consumers. Since then, the group has developed a following throughout the country providing McDonald's the perfect opportunity to develop an interactive program that recruits fans of McCafe to become brand ambassadors.

"After an overwhelming response from consumers, McDonald's is excited to launch the Men of McCafe concept as a national search," said Rob Jackson, Director of U.S. Marketing, McDonald's USA. "This program is our way of providing a meaningful experience that will directly impact our consumers by allowing them to have connection to espresso based coffee culture and new age beverages while also providing a fun and contemporary means of promoting positive images of African-American men."

The national search kicks off with a live event in Atlanta at the Real Moments, Real Fruit Smoothie Fusion tour stop at the Atlanta Football Classic on September 25. Former NFL player and inaugural Man of McCafe, Isaac Keys, and BET personality, Alesha Renee will host the search for current male students and alumni at Historically Black Colleges and Universities during tailgating activities. The search will also head to Charlotte, NC in February 2011 during McDonald's festivities at the CIAA Tournament.

In a continued effort to showcase the latest line of McCafe Smoothies, the Real Moments, Real Fruit Smoothie Fusion tour bus, an upscale smoothie lounge on wheels, has been travelling across the country allowing consumers to experience the latest taste of McCafe in a surprising way. The tour bus has been providing "real moments" including special appearances by recording artists Regina Belle and J Moss and back-to-school giveaways for students along with providing samples of the new McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies featuring Wild Berry and Strawberry Banana flavors. To date, the tour bus has visited over 20 cities including Houston, Washington, D.C., and New York.

Throughout the email submission period, consumers will also have the opportunity to log on to AOL Blackvoices to learn more about the program. As the exclusive digital media partner, AOL Blackvoices will feature the launch video as well as feature the winners once announced.

"As the number one online destination for African-American news, culture and community, AOL Blackvoices is thrilled to join forces with McDonald's to launch this national search which will involve our more than three million monthly visitors*," said Blackvoices' Director Tariq Muhammad.

For more information about the McDonald's Men of McCafe Search, please visit 365Black.com or visit Blackvoices.com for Official Rules, restrictions and entry details.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

© 2010 McDonald's

* comScore Media Metrix August 2010 Panel Data

SOURCE McDonald's