-->If You Can't Beat 'Em, Pander to 'Em

How McDonald's outlets keep the locals happy in hotbeds of anti-Americanism.

By Tony Karon, December 2002 Issue

With anti-American sentiment on the rise, international markets have become perilous for U.S.-based multinationals. But that's just business as usual for McDonald's (MCD). During the last decade, the Illinois-based chain has been the target of political protests in more than 50 countries. Alas, preventing Ronald McDonald from taking bullets intended for Uncle Sam often means using marketing tricks that would never play in Peoria.

France 1997-2002

Problem: Backlash against U.S. cultural imperialism. When French farmer Jose Bove vandalized a McDonald's outlet in 1999, his compatriots were thrilled.

McSpin: Franchise launches ads featuring cowboys who boast that McDonald's France refuses to import American beef"to guarantee maximum hygienic conditions." Ronald McDonald takes a backseat to Asterix, the cartoon defender of French independence.

Yugoslavia 1998

Problem: Operating under NATO auspices, the U.S. military begins a bombing campaign against Belgrade.

McSpin: Franchise repositions McDonald's as a symbol of anti-NATO protest. Hands out free burgers at rallies and adds a Serbian nationalist cap to the Golden Arches icon under the slogan"McDonald's is yours."

Indonesia 2002

Problem: Anger over U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan triggers protests in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

McSpin: Outlets install large photos of Indonesian franchise owner making the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Staff wears religion-inspired clothing on Fridays, while new TV commercials emphasize local ownership.

Egypt 2001

Problem: Anti-American boycott sparked by U.S. support for Israel.

McSpin: Local outlets introduce the McFalafel, rolled out behind an ad jingle sung by Shabaan Abdel Rahim, best known for his chart-topping hit"I Hate Israel."

Saudi Arabia 2002

Problem: Arab anger at Israel's response to Palestinian uprising triggers boycott of American products.

McSpin: A Ramadan promotion by the Saudi franchise sends 30 cents from every Big Mac sold to the Red Crescent Society and Nasser Hospital in Gaza for treatment of Palestinian casualties.
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toll, echt, im wahren Wortsinne: die haben zuviel Mars Attacks angeguckt....

Germany - the nation that brought you Adolf Hitler and Eric Honecker
 
Thousands upon thousands of US military personal have spent time in Germany, protecting the nation from Communism and providing strong leadership to bring the Berlin Wall down. Now, Germany has chosen a socialist road, and grows closer to Communism than the freedom that so many of her people died for after World War II.
 
Gerhard Schröder is a spineless politician who has selfishly dropped support for the United States to stay in power on a populist whim. While Germany has suffered under ruthless dictators such as Hitler and Honecker, they are more than willing to allow 17 million Iraqis live under the horrors of Saddam Hussein - a man who much like Germany's forefathers, would love to do nothing more than kill Jews.
 
Germany has not changed. They've started two World Wars with their arrogance, and they are very much responsible for this next war- this time, their arrogance and lack of involvement will cost lives. Their failure to unify with their allies increases the change of the Iraqi situation being solved via military rather than diplomacy, and will embolden terrorists and dictators everywhere.
 
Germany is a country full of snobbish, less-than-manly elitists who obviously are insecure with their own purpose in this world.
 
Send a nasty gram to the Fourth Reich: 


ohne Worte, mit Dank fürs Reinstellen des links!

beste Grüße vom Baldur

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