If you go looking for trouble, eventually you are going to find it. This week, people on that quest has focused on McDonald's and a TV ad that they ran last weekend during the NFL games and on the Golden Globes. I was watching the football games last week and saw the ad as it ran. I had a reaction as well, but much different than those seeking controversy.
The TV spot in question showed a montage of McDonald's restaurant message signs, and the messages that they have conveyed over the years with a children's choir singing "Carry On" in the background. Most were very personal and touching, but a few placed focus on national tragedies. "We Remember 9-11" and "Boston Strong" were two that people found offensive.
Not only did I not find it offensive, I found it to be a moving tribute. I recall thinking at the time that this was McDonald's 2015 version of the classic Coke commercial "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing". Very positive, and a great branding commercial.
American's are funny about TV commercials. Perhaps we want to be moved to buy something but do not want to be moved emotionally. Is that possible? Sexual content is commonplace in commercials in Europe and Australia, but largely taboo in the U.S. And now a simple image within a McDonald's commercial is too much for some.
The AP's Candice Choi did an article about the reaction. You can get more details at: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonalds-walks-fine-line-signs-170028992.html
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