McDonald's 1984 Olympics promotion

McDonald's 1984 Olympics Promotion

The McDonald's 1984 Olympics Promotion was a marketing campaign by the international fast food chain McDonald's during the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States. The promotion, known as "When the U.S. Wins, You Win," was a significant event in the history of promotional marketing.

Background

In 1984, McDonald's, as an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, launched a promotional campaign to capitalize on the patriotic fervor surrounding the Olympics. The promotion was designed to increase customer engagement and boost sales during the Olympic period.

Promotion Details

The promotion involved giving away game cards with each purchase, which featured different Olympic events. If the U.S. team won a medal in the event featured on the customer's game card, they would win a corresponding prize. A gold medal won the customer a Big Mac, a silver medal won french fries, and a bronze medal won a soft drink.

Outcome and Impact

The promotion backfired for McDonald's due to the U.S. team's unexpectedly high success rate at the games. The Soviet Union's boycott of the 1984 Olympics led to the U.S. team winning a record number of medals, resulting in McDonald's giving away more food than anticipated. Despite the financial setback, the promotion is remembered as a significant event in promotional marketing history.

See Also

• McDonald's advertising
• 1984 Summer Olympics
• Promotional marketing