Publisher's Note
Commentary by Scot Giambalvo
McDonalds & This Old Broken Record...
Possibly the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me
occurred this morning while I pulled out of my favorite McDonald’s
Drive-Thru. It was somewhat of an odd sensation that turned into
full-fledged shock in a matter of seconds.
You see, there was no game piece on the side of my ultra-mega-super-sized
Diet Coke.
I was speechless. Then, it hit me again. My hashbrown wrapper portrayed
only the Micky-D’s logo, and nothing else. I was shaking. My breakfast
bag, it was brown. No Disney characters, no Fisher-Price action adventure
figures, nothing.
“What the hell is going on?” I thought to myself, with my non-descript
McBagel in one hand and my marketing-less McHashbrown in the other.
Has McDonalds fallen off the wagon? Did they fire too many Jr.
Vice-Presidents in charge of the
marketing/promotions/advertising/deceiving the public/squeezing every
penny our of every square inch of product wrapper department?
Could there possibly be a time during the year that they don’t have some
sort of promotion or co-branding affiliation in effect? Nah! Someone over
at McDooDoo World screwed up. C’mon, I can’t imagine in my wildest dreams
that even two planes crashing into the World Trade Center could disrupt
the marketing machine that is McDonalds.
Heck, take a look at Microsoft. Their Hijacker’s Flight Simulator with
forced-feedback controls and realistic cardboard cockpit door poster
(Suggested MSRP $1,995.00) should be on the streets in time for the
Christmas rush.
Shame on you, McDonalds, I almost had to have an original thought this
morning because I didn’t have my fair share of your
ten-million-percent-profit creative packaging marketing propaganda to read
while enjoying my artery-clogging, life-shortening Bacon/Sausage/Egg &
Cheese Bagel Meal that really only saves me 8¢ over the regular individual
item prices and rarely looks like the food pictured in the commercials or
store windows.
I hope Dave Thomas drives over you in his race car.
I’ve spent a large portion of my disposable income supporting the
McDonald’s way, the least they can do is give me a little consistency.
Sheeeeesh!
So, if that’s not bad enough, my wife/boss told me today is Trick or Treat
night here in beautiful Central Pennsylvania.
What the hell is that about?
I’ve been protesting and (whining) about this stupid Trick or Treat night
for years now, and I still don’t understand why kids can’t go out on
Halloween night like they’re supposed to. Who came up with this ridiculous
idea? Oooo, let me think... Wouldn’t it be nice if it was still light out
when I had to take the little ones to the two houses on either side of me
for a piece of “packaged last February” candy. Well, I can’t ask the
Federal Government to push the Daylight Savings Time Change back a week or
two, so why not just MOVE HALLOWEEN!
Arrrrrrggggg! That is sooooooo frustrating. Gosh, while we’re at it, why
don’t we lump Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s all together over a
long weekend so we don’t have to worry about them either?
Why can’t the politicians and the media just leave Halloween alone?
Take care, be well, let me know your thoughts, and enjoy this issue.
Scot Giambalvo
P.S. If anyone out there really knows who makes the decision about this
Trick or Treat night nonsense, and who started it, I’ve got a dinner gift
certificate for you and a dozen rotten eggs for the Halloween Party
Pooper. (You’ve gotta produce a person for me, not a concept, but I’ll
really give you a dinner gift certificate.. probably to Scott’s.)
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