I always thought McDonald’s designed their toy giveaways for little kids, while Burger King sometimes geared their promotions to a slightly older audience (fans of SpongeBob and The Simpsons). Well, apparently I was wrong.
For the first time in 17 years McDonald’s is offering toys in their Happy Meals from a PG-13 film – “Avatar”. Not since 1992 and “Batman Returns” has McD’s gone this route, and I can sort of understand that decision, since kids of all ages love Batman. But “Avatar”? From the trailers and what I’ve read about the movie it’s filled with violent action scenes and adult situations – not exactly the type of film that many parents will want their little ones becoming attached to with toys they get with their burgers and fries.
The good news, for collectors at least, is that the toys are actually figures of the characters from the film, something both McD’s and BK have not been making a lot of lately.
“Alvin and the Chipmunks” toys would have certainly been a better movie for McDonalds to be associated with right now than “Avatar”. But, hey, I’m not their marketing chief so I don’t get to make that choice.
But I bet they’re going to wish I was.