Ronald McDonald 'Retirement'

Good show, I commend you for your humanitarian actions of well-being. :P I regret to inform the readers that though my opponent's proclamation of the inception of McDonalds was most hilarious (I got a good laugh out of it), it is incorrect. Richard and Maurice McDonald formed the 'Speedee Service System' in California in 1948. In 1954, they created a simple menus of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, shakes or soft drinks etc. they concentrated primarily upon maximum efficiency by an assembly line parallel of their kitchen. They valued speed as much as quality or imagination. They initially created Speedee to become their Mascot, but replaced him with the happy clown Ronald McDonald in '67, just before the 'Burger Wars' era. Ray Kroc did purchase the McDonalds franchise, but the chap wasn't illiterate - he was, in fact, and aggressive and successful businessman. I will agree that Ronald McDonald is a marketing ploy aimed at children, however he is received just as enthusiastically by the larger as the smaller. Many young children are scared of him, whereas the older, even the teenagers, get a rush from having their picture taken with good ol' Ronald (much like Mickey Mouse). Several people have attested that their children never even heard of Ronald - they go for the toy and the play structure (of which few other fast food restaurants provide). "We eat at McDonalds every couple weeks because my kids enjoy it and I like not making supper. I don't think my kids even know who Ronald McDonald is, they want to go so they can get the newest toy that is out, that's what is pulling my kids in." ~ Greg, New Brunswick * Also, there are a variety of other marketing ploys that target children. In fact, marketing is primarily about drawing a crowd. There are two divisions regarding children: Muppet Market (Under 6) and preteen market (6-12). Then there's the teen market. Their are a plethora of advertisements which utilize a figure to appeal to the children. Perhaps we should abolish Santa Claus for making children greedy? Or being on Coca Cola campaigns. Perhaps the Easter Bunny should be abolished - after all, he influences children to eat chocolate far too voraciously. Tony the Tiger? Cheetah? What about Cookie Monster? As I stated in round one, what happened to personal responsibility? Indeed, recently is the issue, but it isn't only McDonalds fault, and especially not Ronald's. Compare this with the overabundance of television and video games children allow to consume all of their available time. They get no exercise, outside of mandatory Physical education. Fifty years ago, electronics were scarce and children spent their time actively, burning those calories. Now, lack of activity, compounded with excessive sweets, fast food and microwaveable dinners, children become obese. How many times a day are children actually able to visit McDonalds? None, unless their parents decide to transport them there. However, school cafeteria food undoubtedly has a comparable degree of calories. Indeed, we should withdraw every single ad that doesn't feature a salad, shouldn't we? Or perhaps chopped olives. Way to go Subway, as they're likely the only fast food restaurant to feature these vegetables - with 'cute' animated monkeys appealing to children. Furthermore, Ronald McDonald can never be a negative icon (unless somebody impersonates him and defiles his figure). I will expound further in my argument on Round 2, but compare Ronald, endorsing morals and good behaviour, always optimistic and never scandalous, as compared to, say, Tiger Woods, Dany Heatley, Ben Roethlesberger, Lindsey Lohan, Lady GaGa, Miley Cyrus or Madonna. These people have represented or endorsed a product, and have engaged in scandalous behaviour. With Woods' disloyalty to his family, Nike suffered a large degree as its sales were affected ( http://www.wikinvest.com...(NKE) ). What kind of icon does he portray to those who idolize him? Young Children adore Miley Cyrus with screaming fanfare, yet she let Disney down with a Topless photo shoot. Roethlesberger, favoured quarterback of thousands of children, implicated in a sexual assault case. There are an unlimited amount of such icons; I chose some mild (recent) ones. In comparison to these flawed human icons, Ronald McDonald looks like a prime citizen - his only crime attracting children to eat at a restaurant - one ploy among millions. Thanks for a great debate, thus far. * http://www.ctv.ca... http://en.wikipedia.org...'s#History http://www.wikinvest.com...(NKE)