McDonald’s launches its 1998 Christmas promotion this week with a
spot starring a Santa Claus steadily working up an appetite for a Bacon
McDouble with Cheese.
The commercial, through Leo Burnett, is about a day in the life of a
department store Santa Claus. Santa starts his day bright, breezy and
full of energy, responding to all the children’s requests with a cheery
’If you’re very, very good ...’
As the long morning wears on, Santa is faced with a stream of demands
from energetic youngsters and his Christmas cheer gradually begins to
fade.
Eventually, Santa, in need of nourishment, staggers off for lunch. The
voiceover says: ’When Christmas knocks the stuffing out of you, fill up
at McDonald’s.’
Arriving at McDonald’s, he hungrily orders a Bacon McDouble with
Cheese.
The boy serving him cannot resist the opportunity to give Santa a taste
of his own medicine and replies to the request with the words: ’Only if
you’re very, very good.’ Santa responds with a wry ’Ho ho ho.’
The commercial is the first television campaign from the copywriter,
Martin Lorain, and the art director, Steve Jones, since they both joined
Burnetts from Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper four months ago. The film was
directed by Mick Rudman through Park Village.