by Unknown 10:00 AM 0 comments

ADVERTISING: NOW & THEN



"KAREN PO" (McDonald's Ad - 2003) 

This is one of my most favorite advertisements of all time. It tells the story about a young woman named Karen, meeting her grandfather at McDonald's. It begins with Karen carrying their meal towards her grandfather, who is sitting at the table talking to himself while holding a yellow handkerchief. Afterwards, the grandfather asks "Where have you been Gina?".  Karen corrects her grandfather politely that her name is "Karen" and not "Gina". He then says, "It's been a long time since we have seen each other, Gina". The grandfather then tells his granddaughter to start eating while calling her "Gina". Once again, Karen corrects her grandfather, "Karen po". Then, her grandfather started cutting his burger in half, he then tells her that it was for his favorite granddaughter "Karen". 

The "Karen Po" commercial is one of a series of advertisements that McDonalds launch in 2003. It drew varied reactions from televiewers, some are negative but majority have said that the adverisement was emotionally appealing and that it really touched their hearts. The storyline was simple but effective in carrying across the message. Most of the advertisements that came out during this period put emphasis on families and traditions. The video was taken in a straightforward manner, no camera effects used, only close-up shots of the faces of Karen and her Lolo and their McDonald meals. What made it appealing and memorable was the exchange of dialogues between grandfather and granddaughter and Karen's reaction at the end, the surprise look and the small smile that appeared on her face after hearing that she is Lolo's favorite "apo". 

"SELFIE" (McDonalds Ad - 2014)

This is one of McDonald's recent commercials. It tells the story of three elderly people who live with a modern lifestyle. This can be seen on the first scene. The first elderly man brags to his friend who is also elderly, that he had just ran 2 kilometers, a feat that is usually difficult for people of old age. His friend then reminds him if he had monitored his heartbeat. Afterwards, another elderly man appears while the second elderly man asks "How about you? Do you have rheumatism?", and then they laugh. Subsequently, the third elderly man takes out his selfie stick and takes a picture. To which the elderly lady finds charming. The next scene features McDonald's various products for their promo "Everyday McSavers". The last scene features the two elderly persons feeling jealous towards the third elderly person saying that it was "Gayuma" or "Love Potion", rather than "Rayuma" or "Rheumatism". 

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this commercial. It was funny but endearing especially when the third elderly man took a selfie shot with his old pals. He was really "cool" and impressive just the way the advertisement played it up. In this McDonald's ad, the storyline was about "friendship" and how it transcends the test of time.That despite their old age and ailments they still manage to get together and reminisce about the past and update themselves with each other's daily activities. As with the other McDonald ads, the simplicity of the plot was the main focus but this time, interjected with humor that lightens up the mood of the commercial.

Credits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZxxEn6b0C4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKWEkG6sF0