Ronald McDonald was once equated as the food industry's Joe Camel, making money off kids at the expense of their health, pushing fatty products that set them up for a lifetime of cancer, heart disease, stroke and other killers -- not to mention helping to make this generation of kids the fattest ever. However, the clown known around the world as the champion of Big Macs and fried apple pies has been born again as a fitness fanatic. In the recent global advertising campaign, Ronald McDonald puts on a streamlined version of his familiar jumpsuit and urges kids to get off their couches and join him as he snowboards, bicycles and plays basketball with NBA star Yao Ming. After taking heat for contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States, McDonald's is retooling its mascot's image in commercials that promote sound nutrition and exercise, trying to keep its edge in the fiercely competitive fast-food industry. Ronald McDonald is here to stay with a new healthy role.
Advertisements for unhealthy food and beverages in France must from mid 2007 carry health messages. Otherwise advertisers have to pay 1.5 percent of the cost of making the advertisements. These messages include, “For your health, eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day” or “For your health, undertake regular physical activity.” In response, McDonald has adopted a unique message: “It’s what I eat and what I do … I’m loving it” for its worldwide balanced active lifestyles public awareness campaign. The theme captures the message that people should strive to find their own level of energy balance.