Teachers and McDonalds

Posted by Rahna on February 25, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Sometimes the juxtaposition of two brands can result in some delightful new ideas, expanding both brands so that they will be seen in a new way. This is why licensing works so well. There are licensed toys for television shows. You can buy your daughter a Dora doll. Sometimes, the resulting juxtaposition is humorous and delightful. 

The other night, my children wanted to go to McDonalds because their teachers were working in the McDonalds serving meals in order to raise money for the PTO. The proceeds from the evening went to the school’s activity fund, and the kids had a great time. Just seeing their fourth grade teachers, third grade teachers, the second grade teachers standing behind the counter taking their order delighted the kids. The teachers had a very good attitude about the whole thing, and the parents, of course, were happy to buy the kids a McDonalds meal from their teachers to support the school. In this particular case, everyone wins.  McDonalds wins because the place was packed. Teachers win because money is raised for the programs they want to run.  The children are delighted because the idea of the teachers, normally so scholarly, serving at a McDonalds was so different that it becomes hysterically funny for them.  

In your business, there may be brands that don’t necessarily make sense at first but think for a moment of the potential impact of the two brands.  You may find a new way to delight your consumers.  It may be just the thing to pack your retail establishment or will bring them in droves to your website or buy your products in record numbers. 

Step outside your normal sphere of influence for a minute and try to see if there are brands that you could partner with that would bring your offering to a whole new level.