Is Ronald McDonald A Keeper?

We all know Ronald McDonald... some may know him too well. He's been around for nearly 50 years, so I'd be worried for McDonald's if the clown (in a literal sense) didn't have such a strong global presence. He's so important to our culture (and children) that he has his own website! There are some people, however, that aren't thrilled with Ronald, and have been urging the fast food chain to retire their long-time mascot. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of clowns and I do think Ronald McDonald is a little creepy -- not nearly as creepy as Burger King's King -- but I don't think McDonald's is ready to let go of him. 


He's a face for the brand. He humanizes the global chain. Yes, McDonald's has the "golden arches" but those arches can't engage customers. They can't shake someone's hand or pose for pictures. They won't be directly responsible for putting a smile on a child's face. Ronald McDonald is a friend, and while he hasn't been as visible in McDonald's ad campaigns as he has in the past, he still has a strong presence and connection to the brand. 


The advocacy group, Corporate Accountability International, wants Ronald McDonald to step aside. They've created a website solely for this cause, Retire Ronald, blaming Ronald McDonald for prompting children to visit McDonald's and ultimately become obese (hmm...). I understand the advocacy group's reasoning, but their proposed solutions to the general problem are a bit ridiculous. Retiring Ronald McDonald will not remove a child's desire to visit the fast food chain. Getting rid of the toys in Happy Meals? That's another story. It's possible that future laws will prevent marketing fast food to children due to recent widespread childhood obesity... but for now, McDonald's is safe.


McDonald's says the clown is "an ambassador for good". He has "the smile known around the world," says Willard Scott, the creator of the mascot. Ronald McDonald is not only the face to the brand, or a character in commercials, but also the leader in McDonald's philanthropic efforts -- Ronald McDonald House Charities.


For now, our old friend, Ronald, is sticking around. Hopefully he'll be greeting McDonald's patrons, old and young, for years to come. Luckily, Burger King "dethroned" their creepy mascot in August... and replaced him with... a mom? Read more here. I totally support that retirement. He's scary.

POGS,
AKtually Ashley

Burgers and... Nick Lachey?

What does a big, juicy, multi-patty cheese burger have to do with Nick Lachey? Everything, according to Eagle's Deli. 

The famous Eagle's Deli of Cleveland Circle, is a favorite to locals and Boston College students. If you have never heard of Eagle's Deli, it is a standard burger joint featuring an array of burgers and menu options. It is absolutely delicious -- especially The Zoo (yum)! It is also known for its Challenge Burgers, which range in size from 1 1/2 pounds of meat to the notorious Eagle's Challenge burger with 5 pounds of meat, 20 pieces of bacon, 20 pieces of american cheese, 5 pounds of fries, 1 deli pickle, and 1 fountain soda... all for around $60. Many, and I mean many, brave (and hungry) people have attempted to tackle the Eagle's Challenge burger within the allotted 1 hour, in hopes to get a $60 refund, $100 gift certificate and to have the burger named after them. Apparently only one guy has succeeded (I'm still skeptical)... but the courage (or embarrassment) of the rest of the other challengers' failed attempts are always flaunted on the Wall of Shame in the restaurant.

Eagle's Challenge Burger

Nick Lachey visited Eagle's Deli in 2010 and supposedly took a crack at the Eagle's Challenge burger. Nick Lachey is not just an ordinary customer for Eagle's Deli, he's famous... or was famous. I guess that because Nick Lachey was once a "big-time celeb", the owners of Eagle's Deli believe he still deserves to have a burger named after him (even if he didn't come close to conquering the real challenge.) The Nick Lachey Burger has 1 1/2 pounds of beef, 6 pieces of swiss cheese, 6 pieces of bacon, 1/2 a pound of fries, and a fountain soda. 

I laughed when I saw the Nick Lachey Burger on the menu. I though to myself, what guy would ever have the courage or self-esteem to mumble out 'I'll have the Nick Lachey Burger, please.' If I ordered it, I don't think I could manage to get the full order out before giggles took over. It is also a burger that deserves to be at the end of every joke because it is not even close to matching up to any of the real Challenge Burgers. I am sure it was not the intention of Eagle's Deli, people are more scared of ordering the Nick Lachey burger than the much larger Paul Jones Burger!

On another note, where did Nick Lachey even come from? I do not intend this to be mean, but he completely fell off of the face of the Earth after he and Jessica Simpson broke up. Was this was a publicity ploy set up by Eagle's Deli or by Nick Lachey's agent? When patrons walk into Eagle's Deli, the first thing they see is a picture of Nick Lachey on the Wall of Shame. 


My peers and I are the main target consumers of Eagle's Deli, and Nick Lachey is not an appropriate celebrity to promote Eagle's Deli burgers. Also, consider the fact that Eagle's Deli agreed to create a smaller burger to add to their impressive Challenge Burger menu... what does that say about Nick Lachey? This makes both parties seem pretty desperate... but as they say, "all publicity is good publicity?"

PS. Something that DOES make a TON of sense is Eagle's Deli and Man v. Food... Check it out.

POGS,

AKtually Ashley